U.S. Brand Names

Invirase®

Canadian Brand Names

Invirase®

Mexican Brand Names

Fortovase

Pharmacologic Category

Antiretroviral Agent, Protease Inhibitor

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to saquinavir or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have severe liver disease.

• If you are taking any of these medicines: Amiodarone, cisapride, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, flecainide, lovastatin, methysergide, midazolam, pimozide, propafenone, quinidine, rifampin, simvastatin, or triazolam.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat HIV infection.

How does it work?

• Saquinavir works to injure the virus and fight the infection.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• This medicine is usually taken with at least two other medicines.

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• Take this medicine within 2 hours of a high-fat meal.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not run out of this medicine.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have diabetes, this medicine may sometimes raise blood sugars. Talk with healthcare provider about how to adjust for this.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

• Do not take St John's wort with this medicine. It may make this medicine less effective.

• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy in HIV disease.

• Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV disease.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Headache.

• Belly pain or heartburn.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Change in body fat distribution.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Not hungry.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:36:54.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:13:17.0

Lexi-PALS^TM © (1977)-(2008) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.