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| Pronunciation |
|
 (am
PRE na
veer) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Agenerase™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Protease Inhibitor |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- This medicine is used in combination with other medicines to treat
HIV infections. The oral solution of amprenavir contains a large amount of a
liquid which may be difficult for some people to break down. The solution should
not be used if you can take the
capsule.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to amprenavir or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have a severe allergy to sulfonamides.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Rifampin, astemizole,
bepridil, cisapride, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, midazolam, triazolam,
lovastatin, or simvastatin.
- Do not give oral solution to infants or children less than 4 years of
age, pregnant women, patients with kidney or liver failure, and patients taking
metronidazole or disulfiram.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Amprenavir stops the HIV virus from increasing. It binds up an enzyme
that is needed for reproduction of the
virus.
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach. Avoid a high-fat meal.
- A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine administration.
- Do not take didanosine (DDI) or antacids within 1 hour of this
medicine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- If you miss a dose by less than 4 hours then take it now.
- If you miss a dose by more than 4 hours then skip the missed dose.
- Return to your regular schedule for the next dose.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with many other medicines.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Do not take with cholesterol lowering medicines such as lovastatin,
simvastatin, cerivastatin and atorvastatin. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not take the oral solution if you are pregnant, have kidney or
liver failure, are taking metronidazole or disulfiram, or are of Asian, Eskimos,
or Native American heritage. You can have serious side effects.
- Do not give oral solution to children less than 4 years of age.
- Do not switch from capsules to oral solution unless healthcare
provider aware of change.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Do not take extra vitamin E supplement. Vitamin E is already included
in 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Numbness and tingling of the mouth and around the mouth.
- Rash.
- High blood sugar.
- High triglycerides in the
blood.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- 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, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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