Agenerase

Generic name: Amprenavir

What is Agenerase?

Agenerase is an oral medication that is used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. When used together with other medicine, Agenerase may help lower the amount of HIV found in your blood, increase CD4 (T) cell counts, and keep your immune system as healthy as possible to help fight infection.

Agenerase does not have these effects in all patients. Agenerase does not cure HIV or AIDS. Also, it does now reduce the risk of passing HIV to others through blood or sexual contact.

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

Agenerase can cause serious and life-threatening side effects when taken simultaneously with certain medicines.

Who should not take Agenerase?

Do not take Agenerase simultaneously with ergot derivatives, GI motility agents, neuroleptics, or sedative/hypnotics. Do not take Agenerase if you have had an allergic reaction to Agenerase or any of its ingredients.

Children younger than 4 years old should not take Agenerase.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Agenerase?

Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning therapy with Agenerase. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have hemophilia or liver or kidney problems, if you are on methadone therapy, or you are allergic to sulfa medicines.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

Adults and adolescents 13 to 16 years old: The usual dosage of Agenerase is 1,200 milligrams (mg) (twenty-four 50 mg capsules) twice daily in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

If Agenerase and ritonavir are used in combination, the recommended dosage regimens are Agenerase 1,200 mg with ritonavir 200 mg once daily or Agenerase 600 mg with ritonavir 100 mg twice daily.

Pediatric patients 4 to 12 years old <50 kg: The recommended dosage of Agenerase is 20 mg/kg twice daily or 15 mg/kg 3 times daily (to a maximum daily dose of 2,400 mg) in combination with other antiretroviral medicine. The recommended dosage of Agenerase for use in combination with ritonavir has not been established in pediatric patients.

Do not change your dose or stop taking Agenerase without talking to your doctor.

How should I take Agenerase?

Take Agenerase every day as your doctor has prescribed. You can take Agenerase with our without food. However, high-fat meals decrease the absorption of Agenerase. If you take Agenerase with the buffered form of Videx (didanosine, ddl), take them at least one hour apart. When your supply of Agenerase or other anti-HIV medicine starts to run low, make sure to arrange to get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy.

What should I avoid while taking Agenerase?

Avoid taking any medications without first telling your doctor about them. Do not switch from Agenerase Capsules to Agenerase Oral Solution without talking to your doctor.

Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour of taking Agenerase.

Avoid taking vitamin E because Agenerase contains a large amount of vitamin E.

Avoid eating high-fat meals, which decrease the absorption of Agenerase.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Agenerase?

If Agenerase is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered.

Do not take Agenerase with: cisapride, used for certain stomach problems, ergot medicines, used for migraine headaches, midazolam, used for sedation, pimozide, used for Tourette's disorder, triazolam, used for insomnia, vitamin E.

Talk to your doctor if you take: bepridil (used for chronic stable angina), carbamazepine (used for seizures and trigeminal neuralgia), dexamethasone (used to reduce inflammation), delavirdine (used for HIV) and other anti-HIV medicines, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills), phenobarbital (used for seizures), phenytoin (used for seizures), rifampin (used for tuberculosis), statins, including atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicines), or St. John's wort or products containing St. John's wort.

You will need your dose adjusted if you take: rifabutin (used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex), ritonavir (used to treat HIV infection), or sildenafil (used for impotence).

You will need to be monitored with regular blood tests if you take: amiodarone (used for abnormal heart rhythms), amitriptyline or imipramine (tricyclic antidepressants), cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rapamycin or sirolimus (immunosuppressants), lidocaine (used for abnormal heart rhythms), quinidine (used for abnormal heart rhythms), or warfarin (used for blood thinning).

What are the possible side effects of Agenerase?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or loose stools, taste disorders, rash, tingling feeling (especially around the mouth), depression and mood problems, changes in body fat, high blood sugar or diabetes, diabetes complications, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides

Agenerase can cause a severe or life-threatening rash. Call your doctor immediately if you have a rash.

Can I receive Agenerase if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

The effects of Agenerase during pregnancy and breastfeeding are unknown. Agenerase should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus. Because of the potential for HIV transmission and the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, mothers should not breastfeed if they are receiving Agenerase. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Agenerase?

If you miss a dose by more than 4 hours, wait and take the next dose at the regular time. However, if you miss a dose by fewer than 4 hours, take your missed dose right away. Then take your next dose at the regular time.

How should I store Agenerase?

Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate Agenerase.