Fosamprenavir (By Mouth)

Fosamprenavir (FOS-am-pren-a-veer)

Treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fosamprenavir does not cure HIV or AIDS, but combinations of drugs may slow the progress of the disease.

Brand Name(s):

Lexiva
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fosamprenavir or amprenavir, or if you are also using dihydroergotamine (DHE 45®, Migranal®), ergonovine, ergotamine (Cafergot®), methylergonovine (Methergine®), cisapride (Propulsid®), pimozide (Orap®), midazolam (Versed®), or triazolam (Halcion®). Using any of these medicines while you are also using fosamprenavir could cause dangerous health problems.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Fosamprenavir is used with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine and it has been fewer than four hours since you were supposed to take it, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose or it has been longer than four hours since you were supposed to take it, wait until your next scheduled time to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows about all other prescription and non-prescription medicines you are using. Some drugs that are especially dangerous to use with fosamprenavir are dihydroergotamine (DHE 45®, Migranal®), ergonovine, ergotamine (Cafergot®), methylergonovine (Methergine®), cisapride (Propulsid®), pimozide (Orap®), midazolam (Versed®), or triazolam (Halcion®).
• There are many other medicines that should not be used together with fosamprenavir (Lexiva™). Some of the medicines are St. John's wort, Viagra®, Levitra®, rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifater®, Rifamate®), delavirdine (Rescriptor®), medicine to lower cholesterol (such as Lipitor®, Mevacor®, Zocor®), medicine to treat heart rhythm problems (such as amiodarone, lidocaine, quinidine, Cardioquin®), medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Norpramin®, Vivactil®), and medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®, Tegretol®).
• Your doctor needs to know about all other medicines you are using to treat HIV or AIDS or the symptoms of HIV or AIDS.
• If you are also using flecainide (Tambocor®) or propafenone (Rhythmol®) for heart rhythm problems, tell your doctor. Fosamprenavir is often used with ritonavir (Norvir®), and you should not use Tambocor® or Rhythmol® with Norvir®.
• Birth control pills, implants, patches, or shots may not work while you are using fosamprenavir. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have diabetes or hemophilia (a bleeding problem). Your doctor also needs to know if you have liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C), or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (sulfonamides) such as Bactrim®.
• You should not breastfeed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash, or other severe skin rash and itching.
• Increased hunger or thirst, increased urination, or unexplained weight loss.
• Signs of an infection, such as fever, weakness, trouble breathing.
• Skin rash with fever, weakness, or muscle aches.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
• Headache.
• Mild skin rash and itching.
• Unusual weight gain or increased fat in some parts of your body.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.