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| Pronunciation |
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 (nel
FIN a
veer) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Viracept® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Protease Inhibitor |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to nelfinavir or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have phenylketonuria.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Terfenadine, astemizole,
cisapride, triazolam, or midazolam.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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| How does it work? |
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- Nelfinavir 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? |
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- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take with food.
- Mix oral powder with a small amount of water, milk, formula, soy
formula, or soy milk. Drink all of it after mixed.
- Fruit juices or applesauce will taste bad when mixed with this
medicine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- 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? |
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- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- 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. Oral contraceptives do not protect against the spread of sexual
diseases. 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? |
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- Loose stools or diarrhea.
- Belly pain or gas.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- 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 at room temperature.
- Once mixed, store powder for up to 6 hours. Throw away if medicine is
not used by then.
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| General statements |
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- 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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