tipranavir

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

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

What is tipranavir?

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

Tipranavir is used together with another drug called ritonavir.

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

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking tipranavir?

• moderate to severe liver disease.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with tipranavir. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• alfuzosin;
• cisapride;
• lurasidone;
• pimozide;
• rifampin;
• sildenafil (Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension);
• St. John's wort;
• ergot medicine --dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine;
• heart medication --amiodarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine;
• a sedative --oral midazolam, triazolam; or
• "statin" cholesterol medicine --atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C);
• diabetes;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides;
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia; or
• an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

How should I take tipranavir?

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

Tipranavir is taken in combination with ritonavir (Norvir). Use tipranavir and ritonavir regularly to get the most benefit.

You may take your medicine with or without food if you take tipranavir with ritonavir capsules or liquid.

Swallow the tipranavir capsule whole. Do not open or chew it.

Measure tipranavir liquid carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Tell your doctor if the child using this medicine has any changes in height or weight. Tipranavir doses are based on body surface area (height and weight) in children, and any changes may affect your dose.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of a doctor.

Throw away any capsules or liquid you have not used within 60 days after you first opened the medicine bottle.

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 tipranavir?

If you also take didanosine, take it 2 hours before or after you take tipranavir.

Avoid taking vitamin E supplements if you are using the liquid form of tipranavir.

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What are the possible side effects of tipranavir?

• right-sided upper stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• unusual bleeding, sudden severe headache, problems with speech or vision.

• severe skin rash, blistering, peeling, redness or sunburn;
• skin rash and also joint or muscle pain, fever, or tightness in your throat; or
• increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth.

Tipranavir affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken 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:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• skin rash (especially in children);
• headache, fever, tired feeling; 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 tipranavir?

Many drugs can affect tipranavir, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. 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 tipranavir.