nelfinavir

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

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with nelfinavir.

What is nelfinavir?

Nelfinavir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nelfinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Nelfinavir is for use in adults and children at least 2 years old.

Nelfinavir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Some drugs should not be used with nelfinavir. Your treatment plan may change if you also use:

• alfuzosin;
• cisapride;
• rifampin;
• sildenafil (Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension);
• St. John's wort;
• amiodarone or quinidine;
• lovastatin or simvastatin;
• lurasidone, pimozide;
• oral midazolam, or triazolam; or
• ergot medicine --dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• diabetes; or
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.

Nelfinavir oral powder contains phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

To prevent HIV in a newborn baby, use all medications to control your infection during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry.

How should I take nelfinavir?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Swallow the nelfinavir tablet whole.

Mix the oral powder in a cup with a small amount of water, milk, baby formula, soy milk, or a liquid dietary supplement. To avoid bitter taste, do not mix the powder with acidic liquids such as orange juice, apple juice, or applesauce.

Drink all of the mixed powder right away. If a child taking this medicine doesn't finish the entire dose, you may store the mixture in a refrigerator for up to 6 hours.

Doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Use all HIV medications as directed. Do not change your dose or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice. Remain under the care of a doctor.

You will need frequent medical tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking nelfinavir?

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

What are the possible side effects of nelfinavir?

• low white blood cell counts --fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough;
• high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• if you have hemophilia --easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.

Nelfinavir can affect your immune system (even weeks or months after you've used this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection --fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects may include:

• low white blood cell counts;
• nausea, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain;
• loss of appetite;
• rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect nelfinavir?

If you also take didanosine, take your nelfinavir dose (with food) 1 hour after or more than 2 hours before you take didanosine.

Many drugs can affect nelfinavir, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about nelfinavir.