Invirase

What you should know before using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

There is no specific information comparing use of saquinavir in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. There is no specific information comparing use of saquinavir in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Amiodarone
• Astemizole
• Bepridil
• Cisapride
• Dihydroergotamine
• Ergoloid Mesylates
• Ergonovine
• Ergotamine
• Flecainide
• Methylergonovine
• Midazolam
• Pimozide
• Propafenone
• Quinidine
• Ranolazine
• Rifampin
• St John's Wort
• Terfenadine
• Triazolam

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcoholism or
• Cirrhosis of the liver or
• Hepatitis B or
• Hepatitis C—May cause liver problems to become worse

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• High blood sugar—May make these conditions worse.

• Hemophilia—Possible increased risk of bleeding

• Kidney disease, severe—Caution should be used

• Liver disease—Effects of saquinavir may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body; also saquinavir has been reported to cause unwanted effects on the liver. If liver disease is severe, do not take saquinavir.