Classification:
Protease Inhibitor (PI)Form:
250mg soft gel capsule (pink; oblong)Dosage:
Two 250mg soft gel capsules twice each day.Aptivus must be taken with Norvir 200mg twice daily to be effective
Instructions:
Take two soft gel capsules of Aptivus and two 100mg capsules of Norvir with food twice each day.Side effects to report to your doctor:
- nausea / vomiting / diarrhea
- rash
- headache
- fatigue
- yellowing of the skin (jaundice) that could be a sign of liver toxicity
Special Warning! - Patients taking Norvir boosted Aptivus, there is a risk of rash and liver toxicity. Aptivus should be discontinued if liver function studies become abnormally high. If you develop yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, call your doctor immediately.
Drug interactions:
- sulfa allergies are possible with Aptivus. Use caution if you have a sulfa (Bactrim) allergy.
- St. John's Wort can decrease the effectiveness of Aptivus
- Aptivus can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills or patches. A second source of birth control must be used when taking Aptivus.
- antiarrythmic meds, cholesterol lowering meds, and herbal remedies can have serious interactions with Aptivus. Notify your doctor of all your medicines prior to starting Aptivus.
For more information:
Learn more about Aptivus, with About.com's Drug FinderSource - Waknine, Y.; FDA Safety Changes: Aptivus; Medscape Medical News; 2008.
