Saquinavir (By Mouth)

Saquinavir (sa-KWIN-a-veer)

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

Brand Name(s):

Invirase, Fortovase
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 saquinavir. You should not take this medicine if you are also taking astemizole (Hismanal®), cisapride (Propulsid®), terfenadine (Seldane®), triazolam (Halcion®), midazolam (Versed®), or ergot medicines (such as Cafergot® or Wigraine®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Liquid Filled Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine within two hours after eating a full meal. The medicine may not work as well if you take it on an empty stomach.
• Take only the form of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. If you refill your prescription and your pills look different, do not take the medicine and tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take 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 at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Certain drugs should not be used while using saquinavir. Using these drugs can cause very serious medical problems, or even death.
• Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you take, especially clarithromycin (Biaxin®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), rifabutin (Mycobutin®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), St. John's wort, other HIV medicines (such as Crixivan®, Rescriptor®, Viramune®), medicine for seizures (such as phenobarbital, Dilantin®, Tegretol®), or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as Lipitor®, Pravachol®, Zocor®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease.
• You should not breast feed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.
• Saquinavir 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 else.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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

• Numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet
• Rash, hives, or red peeling skin
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Yellowing of your skin or eyes

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

• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Upset stomach, nausea

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