Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Aptivus

Generic Name: tipranavir (Pronunciation: tip RA na veer)

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

What is tipranavir (Aptivus)?

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

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

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

What are the possible side effects of tipranavir (Aptivus)?

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.

• unusual bleeding (such as a nosebleed or blood in your urine or stools);
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• low fever, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

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

• severe skin rash, blistering, peeling, or sunburn;
• increased urination or extreme thirst;
• easy bruising or bleeding; or
• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, skin lesions, or flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• headache, 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 is the most important information I should know about tipranavir (Aptivus)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tipranavir or ritonavir (Norvir), or if you have moderate to severe liver disease.

Life-threatening side effects can occur if you take tipranavir with any of the following medications: alfuzosin (Uroxatral), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), bepridil (Vascor), cisapride (Propulsid), flecainide (Tambocor), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), sildenafil (Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension), simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), propafenone (Rythmol), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane), quinidine (Quin-G), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), St. John's wort, or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Ergotrate, Cafergot, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, or Methergine.

There are many other medicines that can interact with tipranavir. 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.

Tipranavir is used in combination with a similar drug called ritonavir (Norvir). Some people taking this combination of medicines have developed life-threatening medical problems including liver damage and bleeding in the brain. If you are taking these two medications, call your doctor at once if you have any of the following side effects:

• unusual bleeding (such as a nosebleed or blood in your urine or stools);
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• low fever, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

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