What is Viracept?
The antiviral medication Viracept prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying within your body.
Viracept treats HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome.Viracept does not cure HIV or AIDS.Use Viracept in children and adults over 2 years of age.
Warnings
If you have liver disease that is moderate or severe, you should not take Viracept.When combined with alfuzosin, amiodarone, lovastatin, quinidine, pimozide, rifampin, rifadin (Rifadin), rifampin, rimactane (Rifadin), rifampin, rifampin, rifa, rifa, 45, Migranal, or Methergine, viracept may cause life-threatening side effects.
You can still pass HIV on to others if you take Viracept. Share razors and toothbrushes. Do not engage in unprotected sexual activity. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HIV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes for drugs or medicines.
Before you take this drug
If you have liver disease that is moderate to severe, you should not take Viracept.
Viracept should not be taken with certain drugs. You may need to change your treatment plan if you use:
- Alfuzosin;
- Cisapride;
- Rifampin;
- Sildenafil is a substitute for Revatio in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- John's Wort;
- Amiodarone, or quinidine.
- Lovastatin or simvastatin;
- Lurasidone, pimozide;
- Oral midazolam, or triazolam;
- Ergot medicine: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, and methylergonovine.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Viracept will be safe for you:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- A bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia.
If you have phenylketonuria, Viracept oral powder could be harmful.Use all medications to control your infection while pregnant. You may have your name listed on a registry of antiviral pregnant women.
Viracept can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills and skin patches. Barrier birth control can be used to prevent pregnancy. These include a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap.Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV. Breast milk can transmit the virus to your child.
How to take Viracept?
Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all of the directions listed on your label as well.Take Viracept along with food.Take the tablet in its entirety.
If you are unable to swallow the entire Viracept tablet, dissolve it in some water. Mix the mixture and drink it immediately. Pour a little water into the glass and swirl it gently. Drink immediately.Pour for a better taste; do not mix the powder with acidic liquids such as orange juice, apple juice, or applesauce. Mixing the powder with acids such as apple juice, orange juice, or applesauce will cause an unpleasant taste.
The powder mixture should be consumed immediately. You can store the powder mixture in the refrigerator for 6 hours if a child does not finish their entire dose.The dose of Nelfinavir is based on the weight of the child. If your child gains or loses weight, the dose of Nelfinavir may change.
All HIV medications should be taken as prescribed. Do not stop taking medication or change the dose without consulting your doctor. Continue to be under the doctor's care.Medical tests will be required frequently.Store Viracept away from moisture, heat, and humidity at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for HIV infection:
Orally, take 1250 mg twice daily or 750 mg three times per day.
Use: As a combination with other antiretroviral drugs for HIV-1 infection.
Adult dose for non-occupational exposure:
US CDC recommendation: 1250 mg twice daily or 750 mg three times daily
Duration of treatment: 28 days
Comments:
recommended for use as part of a non-occupational alternative regimen to prevent HIV infection.
This drug should be taken with (lamivudine, emtricitabine, or zidovudine) plus (abacavir, tenofovir, didanosine, or abacavir).
Prophylaxis must be initiated as soon as possible and within 72 hours after exposure.
For additional information, you should consult the current guidelines.
The usual pediatric dose for HIV infection is:
From 2 to 13 years old: Orally take 45–55 mg/kg twice daily or 25–35 mg/kg three times per day.
Maximum dose: 2500 mg/day
Oral powder (50 mg/g):
If you weigh less than 10.5 kg, take 500 mg twice daily or 300 mg three times per day.
If you weigh between 10.5 and 12 kg, take 550 mg orally three times per day.
If you weigh less than 12 kg, take 650 mg twice daily or 400 mg three times per day.
If you weigh less than 16 kg, take 750 mg orally three times per day.
16 kg to 18 kg: Orally, 500 mg 3 times per day
18 kg to less than 23kg: 600 mg 3 times per day.
23 kg and more: Orally, 750 mg 3 times per day
Tablets (250 mg):
10 to 12 kg: 500 mg twice daily or 250 mg three times a week
13 to 18 kg: 750mg orally, twice daily, or 500 mg orally, three times per day
19 to 20 kg: orally, 1000 mg twice daily or orally, 500 mg three times per day
If you weigh more than 21 kg, take 1000–1250 mg twice daily or 750 mg three times daily.
13 years or older
Tablets: Orally, take 1250 mg twice daily or 750 mg three times a week.
Comments: The 250 mg tablet is recommended for children who weigh 16 kg or over.
Use: As a combination with other antiretroviral drugs for HIV-1 infection.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose when your next dose is near.Do not take more than one dose at once.
Refill your prescription before you run out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
The use of Viracept does not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Consult your doctor about how to avoid HIV transmission while sexing. It is not safe to share syringes or needles for drugs or medicines.
Side effects of Viracept
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, contact emergency medical assistance immediately.
If you experience:
- Low counts of white blood cells—fever, sores on the lips, sores on the skin, a sore throat, and cough
- High blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urination, and dry mouth;
- If you have hemophilia, you will experience easy bruising and unusual bleeding in your nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum, as well as purple or red pinpoints under the skin.
Nelfinavir may affect your immune system, even weeks or months after using this medication. You should tell your doctor if:
- Signs indicating a new infection: fever, sweats at night, swollen lymph nodes, colds, sores, coughing, wheezing, diarrhea, and weight gain.
- If you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, have problems with balance, eye movements, or weakness, or feel prickly, then it could be a sign of a problem.
- Impotence, menstrual changes, swelling of the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)
Common side effects of Viracept include:
- Low white blood cell count
- Nausea, diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain;
- Loss of appetite
- Rash;
- Changes in the shape or location (especially of your arms, legs, and breasts), as well as changes in your body fat.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Take your Viracept (with food) dose 1 hour or more after you take the didanosine.
Many drugs interact with nelfinavir, and certain drugs shouldn't be taken at the same time. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you take. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
