Saquinavir : Before Using - Fortovase, Invirase

Saquinavir - Systemic

Brand Names

Fortovase, Invirase Saquinavir *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For saquinavir, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to saquinavir. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done. However, saquinavir has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether saquinavir passes into human breast milk. However, breast-feeding is usually not recommended in AIDS diseaseds because of the risk of passing the AIDS virus on to the infant.

Use for Children

There is no special info comparing use of saquinavir in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people. There is no special info comparing use of saquinavir in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking saquinavir, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Astemizole - Hismanal
Cisapride - Propulsid
Ergot medication - dihydroergotamine " D.H.E. 45 ", ergoloid mesylates " Hydergine ", ergotamine " Ergotrate ", methylergonovine " Methergine ", methysergide " Sansert "
Midazolam - Versed
Terfenadine - Seldane
Triazolam - Halcion There is a possibility that saquinavir may interfere with the removal of these medication from the body, which could lead to serious side effects

Calcium channel blocking agents - bepridil " Bepadin ", diltiazem " Cardizem ", felodipine " Plendil ", flunarizine " Sibelium ", isradipine " DynaCirc ", nicardipine " Cardene ", nifedipine " Procardia ", nimodipine " Nimotop ", verapamil " Calan "
Quinidine - Quinidex There is a possibility that saquinavir may interfere with the removal of these medication from the body, which could lead to increased side effects

Carbamazepine - Tegretol
Dexamethasone - Decadron
Phenobarbital - Luminal
Phenytoin - Dilantin
Rifabutin - Mycobutin
Rifampin - Rifadin These medication may decrease the amount of saquinavir in the body

Delavirdine - Rescriptor
Nevirapine - Viramune
Ritonavir - Norvir This drug may increase the amount of saquinavir in the body, which could lead to increased side effects

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of saquinavir. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Hemophilia Possible increased risk of bleeding

Liver disease Effects of saquinavir may be increased because of slower removal of the drug from the body; also saquinavir has been reported to cause unwanted effects on the liver