SAQUINAVIR - ORAL

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SAQUINAVIR - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (sa-KWIN-a-vir)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Invirase

GENERIC NAME(S): saquinavir mesylate

Uses

USES: Saquinavir, used in combination with ritonavir and other HIV medications, is used to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Saquinavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It must be given with ritonavir, another protease inhibitor, to increase ("boost") the levels of saquinavir. This helps saquinavir work better. Saquinavir is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, do all of the following: (1) continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor, (2) always use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during all sexual activity, and (3) do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.


How to use SAQUINAVIR - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take your dose of saquinavir and ritonavir by mouth at the same times, as directed by your doctor, with a meal or up to 2 hours after a meal, usually 2 times daily. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start saquinavir at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same times every day. It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat, or worsen side effects.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or tiredness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. As your immune system gets stronger, it can begin to fight off infections you already had, possibly causing disease symptoms to come back. You could also have symptoms if your immune system becomes overactive. This reaction may happen at any time (soon after starting HIV treatment or many months later). Get medical help right away if you have any serious symptoms, including: unexplained weight loss, severe tiredness, muscle aches/weakness that doesn't go away, headaches that are severe or don't go away, joint pain, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs, vision changes, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores), signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter), signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre syndrome (such as trouble breathing/swallowing/moving your eyes, drooping face, paralysis, trouble speaking). Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, such as: symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating), fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin. This medication may rarely make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (such as increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor, as well as the possible use of exercise to reduce this side effect. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking saquinavir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: lipid problems (high cholesterol or triglycerides/fats), diabetes, hemophilia, liver problems. Saquinavir may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using saquinavir, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using saquinavir safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby, and saquinavir may be part of that treatment. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: orlistat, trazodone, certain benzodiazepines (midazolam, triazolam), ergot alkaloids (such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine), garlic supplements, ranolazine, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifapentine), certain "statin" cholesterol drugs (simvastatin, lovastatin), St. John's wort. Many drugs besides saquinavir may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including quinidine, pimozide, propafenone, cisapride, amiodarone, dofetilide, flecainide, salmeterol, clarithromycin, erythromycin, pentamidine, tacrolimus, among others. Other medications can affect the removal of saquinavir from your body, which may affect how saquinavir works. Examples include other HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, tipranavir), cobicistat, among others. Saquinavir can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include asunaprevir, dapsone, haloperidol, lurasidone, drugs to treat erectile dysfunction-ED or pulmonary hypertension (such as sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil), isavuconazonium, naloxegol, rilpivirine, rivaroxaban, suvorexant, among others. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about additional or alternative reliable forms of birth control, and always use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during all sexual activity to decrease the risk of spreading HIV to others. Tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your hormonal birth control is not working well.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Images

INVIRASE 500 MG TABLET
INVIRASE 500 MG TABLET
INVIRASE 500 MG TABLET
color
light brownish-orange
shape
oblong
imprint
ROCHE, SQV 500
INVIRASE 200 MG CAPSULE
INVIRASE 200 MG CAPSULE
INVIRASE 200 MG CAPSULE
color
green
shape
oblong
imprint
ROCHE 0245, ROCHE 0245
INVIRASE 500 MG TABLET
INVIRASE 500 MG TABLET
INVIRASE 500 MG TABLET
color
light brownish-orange
shape
oblong
imprint
ROCHE, SQV 500

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Faq for SAQUINAVIR - ORAL

Saquinavir is an oral medication used for the treatment of HIV infection. It belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.

Saquinavir works by blocking the activity of an enzyme called protease, which is necessary for the replication of the virus. By inhibiting protease, saquinavir helps to reduce the amount of HIV in the body and slows down the progression of the disease.

The recommended dosage of saquinavir varies depending on the specific formulation being used. It is usually taken twice daily with food, and it is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Common side effects of saquinavir may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, and changes in taste. More serious side effects such as severe rash, liver problems, and allergic reactions are rare but can occur. It is important to inform your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking saquinavir.

Saquinavir has the potential to interact with several other medications, including certain antibiotics, antifungals, anticoagulants, and cholesterol-lowering medications. It is essential to inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you are taking before starting saquinavir to minimize the risk of drug interactions.

Saquinavir may cause changes in heart rhythm, including QT prolongation. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of heart disease or those taking other medications known to affect heart rhythm. Additionally, saquinavir can interact with certain herbal supplements, so let your doctor know if you take any alternative or complementary medicines.

The duration of saquinavir treatment depends on several factors, including your individual response to the medication and the overall management plan for your HIV infection. It is crucial to continue taking saquinavir as prescribed by your doctor, even if you start feeling better. Stopping the medication prematurely can lead to viral resistance and treatment failure.

No, saquinavir is not a cure for HIV infection. It can effectively manage the virus, reduce its replication, and slow down the progression of the disease, but it cannot completely eliminate the virus from the body.

It is generally recommended to avoid excessive alcohol consumption while taking saquinavir. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver toxicity and may also interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. It is best to consult your doctor for specific guidelines regarding alcohol consumption.

Saquinavir oral is used to treat HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral medications.

Saquinavir oral belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the HIV protease enzyme, thereby preventing the virus from replicating and spreading in the body.

The common side effects of Saquinavir oral may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, weakness, and changes in taste or sense of smell. It can also lead to changes in body fat distribution (lipodystrophy) and increased blood sugar levels.

Saquinavir oral should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is usually taken with a meal or a light snack to increase its absorption. Swallow the capsule whole, without crushing or chewing it.

No, Saquinavir oral cannot cure HIV infection. It is an antiretroviral medication that helps control the virus and improve the immune system, but it cannot completely eliminate the virus from the body.

If you miss a dose of Saquinavir oral, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Yes, Saquinavir oral can interact with other medications, including prescription, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications and supplements you are taking to avoid any potential drug interactions.

The onset of action of Saquinavir oral varies from person to person. It usually takes a few weeks to months to see a significant reduction in HIV viral load and an improvement in immune function.

Yes, there are certain precautions and warnings associated with Saquinavir oral. It may cause liver and pancreas problems, increase the risk of bleeding, and interact with certain medications. It is important to discuss your medical history and any pre-existing conditions with your healthcare provider before starting Saquinavir oral.

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Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.