Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: SAQUINAVIR (sa-KWIN-a-veer)
This medicine is an HIV protease inhibitor used in combination with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking alfuzosin, certain antihistamines (such as astemizole or terfenadine), certain benzodiazepines (such as midazolam or triazolam), certain cholesterol medicines (such as simvastatin or lovastatin), cisapride, ergot derivatives (such as ergotamine and ergonovine), erythromycin, medicines to treat an irregular heartbeat (such as amiodarone, bepridil, flecainide, propafenone, or quinidine), certain medicines used to treat migraine headaches (such as sumatriptan or eletriptan), pimozide, rifampin, garlic tablets or capsules, or St. John's wort. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking dexamethasone, HIV medicines (such as efavirenz, nevirapine, delavirdine, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, lopinavir, enfuvirtide), rifabutin, seizure medicines (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), certain antifungal medicines (such as ketoconazole or itraconazole), calcium channel blockers (such as diltiazem, nifedipine, or verapamil), clarithromycin, disopyramide, medicines for impotence (such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil), lidocaine, tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or imipramine), buspirone, certain bladder medicines (such as darifenacin or solifenacin), dapsone, eplerenone, fluoxetine, immunosuppressants (such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus), isotretinoin, quinine, risperidone, "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam or diazepam), narcotic pain medicines (such as fentanyl or codeine), nefazodone, trazodone, methadone, or birth control pills. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including cholesterol or lipid problems, diabetes or a family history of diabetes, liver problems (including hepatitis), frequent alcohol use, severe kidney problems, bleeding problems (such as hemophilia), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. ROUTINE USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of severe liver disease. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have before using this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE WITHIN 2 hours of a full meal or large snack. If you are taking this medicine with another medicine called ritonavir, take the 2 medicines together and within 2 hours after a meal unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Consult your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet. STORE THIS MEDICINE in the refrigerator between 35 and 46 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) in a tightly closed container away from heat and light. Do not freeze. This medicine may be stored at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) for up to 3 months. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same times each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT TAKE 2 doses at once. It is important not to miss doses of this medicine.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including liver function tests, blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels, blood glucose levels, blood electrolyte levels, blood counts, and other tests may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A CURE FOR HIV INFECTION and will not prevent you from spreading HIV infection to others through blood or sexual contact. THIS MEDICINE MAY NOT PREVENT OTHER INFECTIONS. If your health changes, check with your doctor. This medicine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE HYPERGLYCEMIA (high blood sugar). Symptoms of hyperglycemia include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. FOR HEMOPHILIACS: Report all bleeding episodes to your doctor. CHANGES IN BODY FAT HAVE OCCURRED in some patients taking this type of medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck, breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term effects of this are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. FOR WOMEN TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, gas, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, dry lips/skin, taste change, tiredness, sleeplessness, night sweats, or warts. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience numbness or tingling of your skin, tenderness or bleeding of your gums, white patches or sores in your mouth, loss of appetite, weight gain, back pain, trouble urinating, body fat changes, anxiety, changes in sexual desire or ability, or an unusual vaginal discharge or odor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience confusion; excessive thirst or hunger; need to urinate more often than usual; unusual weakness; loss of coordination; seizures; mental or mood changes; thoughts of hurting yourself; yellowing of the skin/eyes; dark urine; stomach pain or tenderness; unusual bruising or bleeding; blood in your vomit or stools; coughing up blood; fast heartbeat; chest tightness or pain; shortness of breath; unusual joint or muscle pain; reddened, blistered, or swollen skin; fever; or flu-like symptoms. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
If you have any questions concerning how to prevent the spreading of HIV, ask your health care provider. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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