What is the most important information I should know about saquinavir?
Do not take saquinavir with
amiodarone (Cordarone,
Pacerone),
bepridil (Vascor),
flecainide (Tambocor),
propafenone (Rythmol),
rifampin (Rifadin,
Rimactane,
Rifater),
(Quinaglute, Quinidex),
astemizole (Hismanal),
terfenadine (Seldane),
cisapride (Propulsid),
pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed),
triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as
Ergomar,
Cafergot,
Wigraine, D.H.E. 45,
Migranal,
Methergine.
There are many other medicines that can interact with saquinavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you
use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your
condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or
medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should
remain under the care of a doctor.
Taking saquinavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through
unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing
HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine
needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
What is saquinavir?
Saquinavir is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of drugs called protease
(PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Saquinavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from
multiplying in your body.
Saquinavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS). Saquinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Saquinavir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking saquinavir?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to saquinavir.
Do not take saquinavir with any of the following medications. They can cause
life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking saquinavir:
-
amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
-
astemizole (Hismanal);
-
bepridil (Vascor);
-
cisapride (Propulsid);
-
flecainide (Tambocor);
-
midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion);
-
pimozide (Orap);
-
propafenone (Rythmol);
-
quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute);
-
terfenadine (Seldane); or
-
or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar,
Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or
methylergonovine (Methergine).
Before taking saquinavir, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take saquinavir.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during
pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your
infection while you are pregnant.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using
this medication.
Saquinavir can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a
non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to
prevent
pregnancy while taking saquinavir.
You should not
breast-feed while you are using saquinavir. Women with HIV or
AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the
virus to the baby in your breast milk.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 16 years old without the advice
of a doctor.
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