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amprenavir Health Article

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Table of Contents
Doctor-reviewed Information, Multum Drug Directory, 2006
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Generic name(s):

amprenavir

Brand name(s):

Agenerase

What is the most important information I should know about amprenavir?

Do not take amprenavir with cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Methergine, and others. These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking amprenavir. Amprenavir oral liquid should also not be taken with disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl).

There are many other medicines that can interact with amprenavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking amprenavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What is amprenavir?

Amprenavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Amprenavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Amprenavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Amprenavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Amprenavir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amprenavir?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to amprenavir or a similar drug called fosamprenavir (Lexiva). Do not take amprenavir oral liquid if you are pregnant or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Do not take amprenavir with cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine). These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking amprenavir. Amprenavir oral liquid should also not be taken with disulfiram (Antabuse), metronidazole (Flagyl).

Before taking amprenavir, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use amprenavir, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant. Taking amprenavir together with birth control pills can make the amprenavir less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking amprenavir. You should not breast-feed while you are using amprenavir. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old.
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