MedlinePlus Drug Information: Amprenavir

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Other drug names:	A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9

Amprenavir

(am pren' a veer)

Brand name(s): Agenerase

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know?

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Amprenavir liquid should not be used by infants or children younger than 4 years of age, pregnant women, patients with liver or kidney failure, or patients taking disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl). Amprenavir liquid should only be used when you cannot take amprenavir capsules or other antiretroviral agents. If you are using the liquid, but believe you could take capsules, you should speak to your doctor.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Amprenavir is used in combination with other antiretroviral medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Amprenavir belongs to a class of drugs called protease (pro' tee ace) inhibitors, which slow the spread of HIV infection in the body.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Amprenavir comes as a capsule and liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day. Amprenavir may be taken with or without food. However, avoid taking amprenavir with high-fat foods or high-fat meals. The amount of drug in amprenavir capsules is not the same as the amount in amprenavir liquid. Do not switch between amprenavir capusles and amprenavir liquid unless your doctor tells you how many amprenavir capsules or how much amprenavir liquid you should take. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take amprenavir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Amprenavir is not a cure and may not decrease the number of HIV-related illnesses. Amprenavir does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people. Continue to take amprenavir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking amprenavir without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking amprenavir,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amprenavir, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking in addition to those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, especially alprazolam (Xanax); amiodarone (Cordarone); antacids; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); astemizole (Hismanal);atorvastatin (Lipitor); bepridil (Vascor); betamethasone (Celestone); bepridil (Vascor); birth control pills; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol); cerivastatin (Baycol); cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride (Propulsid); clorazepate (Tranxene); clozapine (Clozaril); cortisone acetate (Cortone); dapsone (Avlosulfon); delavirdine (Rescriptor); dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol, others); diazepam (Valium); didanosine (Videx); dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor); efavirenz (Sustiva); ergonovine (Ergotrate); ergotamine (Cafergot, Ercaf, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, PCE, others); flurazepam (Dalmane); hydrocortisone (Cortef, Cortenema, Hydrocortone); itraconazole (Sporanox); lidocaine (Xylocaine, LidoPen Auto-Injector, others); loratadine (Claritin); lovastatin (Mevacor); medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); medications for diabetes; methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, others); midazolam (Versed); nevirapine (Viramune); nicardipine (Cardene); nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); nimodipine (Nimotop); phenobarbital (Barbita); phenytoin (Dilantin, Diphenylan Sodium); pimozide (Orap); prednisolone (Delta-Cortef, Prelone); prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others); quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane); ritonavir (Norvir); sildenafil (Viagra); simvastatin (Zocor); steroid medications such as estrogen or progesterone; terfenadine (Seldane); triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort); triazolam (Halcion); vitamin E and any other vitamins.
take amprenavir 1 hour before or 1 hour after you take antacids or didanosine (Videx).
tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort or products containing St. John's wort.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or hemophilia.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Once you begin taking amprenavir, you should not plan to become pregnant or breast-feed. If you become pregnant while taking amprenavir capsules, call your doctor.
if you are taking birth control pills, you should talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control because amprenavir may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills.
if you are taking amprenavir liquid, you should avoid drinking alcohol.
you should be aware that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body, such as your breasts and your upper back.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Do not take vitamin E supplements if you are taking amprenavir. Amprenavir capsules and solutions contain vitamin E and you do not need to take additional vitamin E to meet the daily requirement for this vitamin.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dose by less than 4 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If you miss a dose by more than 4 hours, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from amprenavir can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea or loose stools
stomach pain
change in taste
tingling sensation around your mouth

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

rash
seizures (if you are taking the liquid)
confusion (if you are taking the liquid)
rapid heart rate (if you are taking the liquid)

Amprenavir may increase the sugar level in your blood. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

frequent urination
increased thirst
weakness
dizziness
headache

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

It is important that you do not run out of your supply of amprenavir or other antiviral medications because the amount of HIV in your blood may increase if you stop taking them. When your supply of amprenavir is low, make sure you contact your doctor or pharmacist for a refill.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to amprenavir.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer