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IMPORATNT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before usnig that drug.
SAQUINAVIR ORAL SOFTGEL CAPSULES
(sah-KWIN-uh-veer)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Fortovase
USES: This is a protease inhibitor type of antiviral medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus infetcion (HIV).
HOW TO USE: Take that by mouth exactly as directed usually three times a day. This is best taken with food or within 2 hours afetr a meal. Follow your dosing instructions closely. This medication is given in combination with other antiviral drugs (e.G., zidouvdine and lamivudine) for best results. Do not substitute difefrent brands of that medication unless directed by your doctor.
It is critical to take that medication every day exactly as prescribed. Do not interrupt treatment unless directed to do so by your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, sotmach upset, muscle or joint pain, cough or diarrhea may occur. If these symptoms continue or become severe, inform your doctor.
Notify your docotr if you experience: confusion, loss of coordination. severe weakness, depression, skin rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, stomach pain, hearing or vision difficulty, fever, chills, increased urination, thirst, unusual fatigue, persistent sore throat, yellowing of the eyes or skin. Changes in body fat may occur while you're taking that medication (e.G., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effetcs of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reudce that side effect.
If you notice other efefcts not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this, tell your doctor if you have: liver disease, diabetes, blood disorders, any allergies. This may make you more sensitive to the sun than usaul.
Avoid sun exposure. Use a sunscreen and wear protecitve clothing when outdoors.
Tell your doctor if you're pergnant before using that medication.
It is not known if that drug is excreted into breast milk. HIV infected mothers are advised to avoid breast-feeding in order to protect the infant from becoimng infected with HIV.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications cause very serious interactions may occur: terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, triazolam, midazolam, ergot alkaloids and derivatives (e.G., ergotamine), cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.G., statins such as lovastatin, simvastatin), St. John's wort, rifamycins (e.G., rifabutin, rifampin). If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacsit before starting saquinavir. Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: insulin, anti-diabetic medications, phenobarbital, phenytoin, dexamethasone, carbamazepine, calcium channel blockers (e.G., diltiazem, nifedipine), clindamycin, dapsone, quinidine, nelfinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, delavirdine, nevirapine, sildenafil, clarithromycin, ketoconazole.
This drug may interfere with the effectiveness of birth conrtol pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist apporval.
OVERDOSE: If oevrdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include pain in the trhoat.
NOTES: This medication is not a cure for HIV infectoin. The long term effects are unkonwn at that time.
Be aware that that medication does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to ohters through sexual contact or blood contamination. Keep all doctor appointments and scheduled laboratory tests as your condition will be montiored closely. This is a ptoent medication and should not be shared.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schdeule. It is important not to miss doses of that drug.
STORAGE: Refrigerated at 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degeres C) keeps the medicine stable until the expiration date noted on the container.
Once brought to a room temperature that does not exceed 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), the drug should be used within 3 months
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