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CHEMICAL NAME
NELFINAVIR.
INDICATIONS
Viracept(NELFINAVIR) belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors and is used in combination with other drugs to treat HIV infection.
DIRECTIONS
Take Viracept Tablets by mouth with food to increase the amount of medicine that your body absorbs. If you are using other drugs that should be taken on an empty stomach (e.g., didanosine), then those drugs should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking nelfinavir. Consult your pharmacist for more details. The powder may be mixed with a small amount of water, milk, formula, soy formula, soy milk or diet supplement. Once mixed, drink the entire mixture to receive the full dose. Mixture with acidic food or juice (e.g., orange juice, apple juice or apple sauce) is not recommended since a bitter taste may result. Use the powder mixture immediately after preparation. Otherwise, store the mixture in the refrigerator and use within 6 hours. Do not heat the mixed dose once it has been prepared. Note: Do not mix with water in the original nelfinavir container. It is critical to take this medication every day exactly as prescribed. Do not interrupt treatment unless directed to do so by your doctor. Do not take more than prescribed. Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of this drug.
SIDE EFFECTS
The majority of side effects were mild. Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness or gas might occur. If these continue or are bothersome, notify your doctor. Unlikely, but report any of the following effects: persistent sore throat or fever, rash, yellowing of the eyes or skin, vision problems, increased urination or thirst, unusual fatigue. Very unlikely but report immediately any allergic reaction while taking this medication. Symptoms include: difficulty breathing, itching, fever, swelling. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking NELFINAVIR, tell your doctor if you have: liver disease, any allergies (especially drug allergies), blood disorders (hemophilia), phenylketonuria, diabetes. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medication. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into human milk. HIV-infected mothers are advised to avoid breast-feeding in order to protect the infant from becoming infected with HIV. Patients taking birth control pills should use a different or additional method of birth control during treatment with nelfinavir. Caution is advised if this drug is used in children under 2 years of age.
OVERDOSAGE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
INFORMATION
Do not share this medication with others. Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Once mixed, use nelfinavir powder immediately. Otherwise, store the powder mixture in the refrigerator and use within 6 hours.
NOTES
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician,pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your
healthcare professional before taking the product.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
NELFINAVIR should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: amiodarone, cisapride, midazolam, triazolam, pimozide, ergot derivatives (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), rifampin, quinidine, terfenadine, astemizole, eletriptan, eplerenone, "statin" drugs (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin). If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting nelfinavir. Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may take, especially: rifabutin, carbamazepine, garlic supplements, caspofungin, drugs to treat impotence (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil), delavirdine, nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, drugs which suppress the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus), methadone, azithromycin, other protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), St John's wort. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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