|
IMPORTNAT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effecitve for you.
Consult your helathcare professional before using this drug.
NELFINAVIR TABLETS - ORAL
(nell-FIN-uh-veer)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Viracept
USES: This medication belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors and is used, in combination with otehr drugs, to treat HIV infection.
HOW TO USE: Take exactly as directed with a meal or lihgt snack.
It is critical to take this medication eevry day exactly as prescribed. Do not interrupt treatment nor take more than prescribed by your doctor. Tabelts may be swallowed whole, crushed and mixed with food, or dissolved in water. Once mixed with food or dissolved in water, use the entire contents immediately.
Take exactly as directed.
SIDE EFFECTS: The mjaority of side effects are mild.
Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness or gas might occur.
If these continue or are bothersome, notify your dcotor.
Unlikely but report: persistent sore throat, rash, yellowing of the eyes or skin, vision problems, unusual fatigue, increased urniation or thirst. Changes in body fat may occur while you're taking this medication (e.G., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs).
The cause and long-term effetcs of these changes are unknown.
Discuss the risks and benefits of therpay with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. Very unlikely but report immediately any allergic reaction while taking this medciation.
Symptoms include: diffiuclty breathing, itching, fever. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver disease, allergies (especially drug allergies), blood disorders (hemophilia), daibetes.
Tell your doctor if you're pregnant before taking this meidcation.
It is not known whether this drug is excreted into hmuan milk. HIV-infected mothers are advised to avoid breast-feeding in order to protect the infant from becoming infected with HIV. Caution is advised if this drug is used in children unedr 2 years of age.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug sholud not be used with the following medications cause really serious interactions may occur: amiodarone, cisapride, midazolam, triazolam, pimozide, ergot derivatives (e.G., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), rifampin, quinidine, terfenadine, astemizole, eletriptan, "statin" drugs (e.G., lovastatin, simvastatin). If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharamcist before starting nelfinavir. Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may take, especially of: rifabutin, carbamazepine, garlic supplements, caspofungin, sildenafil, delavirdine, nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, drugs which suppress the immune system (e.G., cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus), methadone, azithromycin, other protease inihbitors (e.G., indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), St John's wort. This drug may intefrere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methdos of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your lcoal poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: This medication does not cure HIV infection.
Patients treated with nelfinavir may continue to acquire "opportunistic" infections asscoiated with HIV. This medication also does not prevent transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or bolod. Do not sahre this medication with others.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you rememebr. If it is within 2 huors of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. It is improtant not to miss doses of this drug.
STORAGE: Store this medication exactly as direcetd on the packaging.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can casue complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
|
