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HIV Issues and Your Positive Health

"I don't live with HIV. HIV lives with me. I am the one who's in control. I am the one who is doing the living."

Living in the spectrum of HIV/AIDS impacts your life in a number of ways, but you can still maintain control over how you choose to live and how you handle any issues you may face. The information you find in this section gives you tools to make wise choices to help you create positive health.

If you just found out you're HIV-positive, you may be looking for answers about what to expect, a particular HIV issue and who you can turn to for help. Use this section as a resource for finding support or for ways to talk to your doctor about your symptoms, treatment possibilities and other HIV issues. The important thing to remember is that the more you learn, the more you can make informed decisions about your care and other issues that may affect your life with HIV.

This section also defines terms you may hear as you explore treatment options. Learn the effect of HIV meds on your viral load and CD4 cell count and the difference between the classes of drugs used to treat HIV. Find out about treatment goals, side effects and how to choose a doctor who's right for you.

You may be dealing with a lot of issues. Talking about HIV with your family and friends is often an important first step toward getting the love and support you need to cope with the changes happening in your life. Find out the best ways to share information with others—and whether you want or need to share information about this personal health issue at all.

Use the resources at this site to help you find the strength to gain a measure of control in your life. Remember, you are the one who is doing the living.

Because you will not give in.

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	Click here for Complete Product 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 INVIRASE is not a cure for HIV infection or AIDS. INVIRASE does not prevent the transmission of HIV. Invirase and Fortovase are registered trademarks of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. Ritonavir is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. Though used in combination as part of a boosted protease inhibitor regimen, INVIRASE and ritonavir are separate prescriptions. Other brand names appearing in this pamphlet are trademarks of their respective manufacturers. Please see Complete Product Information.
	THIS SITE IS INTENDED FOR U.S. AUDIENCES ONLY. Copyright © 2004-2008 Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved. Use and access of this site is subject to the terms and conditions as set out in our Legal Statement and Privacy Statement.


	Click here for Complete Product Information.

	THIS SITE IS INTENDED FOR U.S. AUDIENCES ONLY. Copyright © 2004-2008 Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved. Use and access of this site is subject to the terms and conditions as set out in our Legal Statement and Privacy Statement.
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