Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: NELFINAVIR (nel-FIN-a-vir)
This medicine is an HIV protease inhibitor used for treating HIV infection in combination with other medicines.
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, amiodarone, astemizole, carbamazepine, certain benzodiazepines (eg, midazolam, triazolam), cisapride, an ergot derivative (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), omeprazole, phenobarbital, pimozide, quinidine, rifampin, St. John's wort, or terfenadine. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have taken eletriptan within the past 72 hours. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other prescription or nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, allergies, asthma, birth control, blood thinning, cancer, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, HIV, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heartburn or ulcers, immune system suppression, irregular heartbeat, mental or mood problems, migraine headaches, seizures, trouble sleeping), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, gingko). They may interact with this medicine, increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing effectiveness. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including hemophilia, diabetes, high blood sugar, liver or kidney problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have moderate to severe liver problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with a meal. IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE, you may crush the tablets and dissolve them in water. Once the medicine is dissolved, mix well and then drink the entire amount right away. Rinse the glass with water and swallow the rinse to be sure that the entire dose is taken. IF YOU ARE TAKING DIDANOSINE, take it at least 1 hour before or more than 2 hours after this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in its original container. Store away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE THIS MEDICINE on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking it at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. 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 almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once. If you miss several doses of this medicine, check with your doctor.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS, including CD4 counts, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Keep all doctor and lab appointments. KEEP A LIST of all the medicines that you take. Make a new list each time a medicine is added or stopped. Find out about medicines that should not be taken while you are taking this medicine. Be sure that each of your health care providers know all the medicines that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED DOSE, change the dose, or stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A CURE FOR HIV INFECTION. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor. WHEN YOUR MEDICINE SUPPLY IS LOW, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat. THIS MEDICINE DOES NOT STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors. CHANGES IN BODY FAT (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking this medicine. The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY IMPROVE IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION. This may reveal hidden infections in some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of infection (eg, fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, shortness of breath) after you start this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE THIS MEDICINE WITH CAUTION IN CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to it effects, especially loss of appetite and low white blood cell levels. FOR WOMEN: HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using this medicine. TO PREVENT PREGNANCY, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms). IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. MOTHERS INFECTED WITH HIV SHOULD NOT BREAST-FEED. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or this medicine to the baby. DIABETES PATIENTS: THIS MEDICINE MAY RAISE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. CHECK BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS CLOSELY. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; gas; loss of appetite; nausea; or stomach pain. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience fever, chills, or sore throat; mental or mood changes; suicidal thoughts or actions; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, confusion; flushed face; fruit-like breath odor; increased thirst, hunger, or urination; unusual drowsiness); or unusual bleeding or bruising. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care 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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