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NAME
Saquinavir |
BRAND
Fortovase |
CLASS
HIV protease inhibitor (PI) |
COST
$8,011/yr., $668/month |
STANDARD DOSE
Six 200 mg soft gel capsules three times a day with food, or within two hours after a meal. If you miss a dose, take the next dose as soon as possible, do not double the dose. |
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort or pain, flatulence (gas) indigestion, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and taste alteration. Seen with all protease inhibitors are: high blood levels of cholesterol and trigelycerides (fats) and perhaps associated heart disease, lypodystrophy (body fat changes, including thinning of the face, arms and legs, with or without fat accumulation in the stomach, breasts and sometimes the upper back) worsening or new cases of diabetes (symptoms include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and dry itchy skin; see your doctor immediately and increased bleeding in hemophiliacs. |
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS
Do not use Zocor or Mevacor lipid-lowering drugs; suggested alternatives are Liptiro, Lescol, Baycol and Pravachol (looks best on paper for protease inhibitors) Hismanal, Orap, quindine, Rythmol,Seldane, Tambocor, Vascor, and Versed. Protease inhibitors increase blood levels of Viagra (sidenafil citrate_ and Viagra dose should be started at 12.5 mg increased as needed and tolerated. One report suggested Viagra should start at half that when taken by someone on Norvir. It's recommended that people do not exceed 25 mg in a 48-hour period because of potential for fatal reaction. The street drug ecstasy is greatly increased by Norvir, and at least one death attributed to the combination. Mycobutin (rifabutin) Phenobarbital, phenytoin dexmethasone and carbamazepine (tegretol and others) Viramune and Sustiva decrease Fortovase levels (but the last two can be taken if Norvir is added) Rescriptor, Crizivan, Norvir, and Viracept all significantly increase Fortovase plasma concentrations, but Crixivan may be antagonistic. The side effects of calcium channel blockers; clindamycin, dapsone and quindine may be increased if taken with saquinavir. |
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