Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Invirase

Generic Name: saquinavir (Pronunciation: sa KWIN a veer)

• What is saquinavir (Invirase)?
• What are the possible side effects of saquinavir (Invirase)?
• What is the most important information I should know about saquinavir (Invirase)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking saquinavir (Invirase)?
• How should I take saquinavir (Invirase)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Invirase)?
• What happens if I overdose (Invirase)?
• What should I avoid while taking saquinavir (Invirase)?
• What other drugs will affect saquinavir (Invirase)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is saquinavir (Invirase)?

Saquinavir is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of drugs called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Saquinavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Saquinavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Saquinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

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

Invirase 500 mg

oblong, orange, imprinted with SQV 500, ROCHE

What are the possible side effects of saquinavir (Invirase)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking saquinavir and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• increased urination or extreme thirst;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• numbness or tingling, especially around your mouth;
• muscle pain;
• headache, mood changes; 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 is the most important information I should know about saquinavir (Invirase)?

Do not take saquinavir with amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rythmol), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), (Quinaglute, Quinidex), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Methergine.

There are many other medicines that can interact with saquinavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking saquinavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.