- INVIRASE: Power You Can Handle
- How Boosted INVIRASE Works
- Patient Assistance Program
- Patient Information and Safety
Important Safety Information
Indication
INVIRASE in combination with ritonavir and other anti-HIV medicines is used to treat HIV infection. INVIRASE should always be used with ritonavir.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: INVIRASE® (saquinavir mesylate) capsules and tablets and FORTOVASE® (saquinavir) soft gel capsules are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably. INVIRASE may be used only if it is combined with ritonavir, which greatly reduces saquinavir's metabolism to provide blood saquinavir levels at least equal to those achieved with FORTOVASE. When using saquinavir as the only protease inhibitor in an anti-HIV regimen, FORTOVASE is the recommended formulation. |
- Taking INVIRASE/ritonavir with certain drugs could create potential for serious and/or life-threatening side effects. INVIRASE/ritonavir should not be taken with Pacerone®, Tambocor®, Rhythmol®, bepridil, quinidine, Seldane®, Hismanal®, ergot medications, Propulsid®, Versed®, Halcion®, rifampin, pimozide or products containing St. John's wort
- Garlic capsules should not be used while taking unboosted saquinavir, due to the risk of lowered saquinavir blood levels
- Taking INVIRASE with Mevacor® or Zocor® is not recommended. Caution should be used if HIV protease inhibitors, including INVIRASE, are used at the same time as other medications like these that are used by the body in the same way
- Discuss all medicines, including those without a prescription, and herbal preparations you are taking or plan to take with your doctor or pharmacist
- INVIRASE should not be taken if you have had a serious allergic reaction to INVIRASE or any of its ingredients
- INVIRASE/ritonavir should not be taken if you have serious liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease, such as hepatitis
- People with severe kidney problems have not been studied when taking INVIRASE. Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney problems
- In people taking protease inhibitors, increased bleeding (in people with hemophilia) has occurred as well as diabetes/high blood sugar
- Some people taking INVIRASE/ritonavir have had increases in cholesterol and/or triglycerides
- Changes in body fat have been seen in people taking anti-HIV medicines. It is not known if taking protease inhibitors causes these changes, and the long-term effects are not known at this time
- In clinical studies, the most commonly reported side effects of moderate or severe intensity were: changes in body fat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, feeling tired and pneumonia
[ Back to Top ]
This information does not include everything you may need to know about HIV and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider.
