Saquinavir
Saquinavir Mesylate Oral capsule
What is this medicine?
SAQUINAVIR (sa KWIN a veer) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
heart disease
hemophilia
history of irregular heartbeat
history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood
liver disease
an unusual or allergic reaction to saquinavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Take this medicine with ritonavir at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
alfuzosin
arsenic trioxide
certain medicines for cholesterol like lovastatin, simvastatin
chloroquine
cisapride
clarithromycin
clozapine
cobicistat
dapsone
droperidol
erythromycin
garlic supplements
haloperidol
medicines for headaches like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, lidocaine, procainamide, propafenone, sotalol, quinidine
methadone
midazolam
pentamidine
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine
pimozide
quinine
ranolazine
red yeast rice
rifampin
rifapentine
sildenafil
St. John's wort
tacrolimus
trazodone
triazolam
ziprasidone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
atorvastatin
certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
cyclosporine
dexamethasone
female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
fluticasone
fusidic acid
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for diabetes
medicines for erectile dysfunction
medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
medicines for stomach problems like esomeprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, ranitidine
other medicines for HIV
rapamycin
rifabutin
warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.
HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.
Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom or diaphragm.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
increased hunger or thirst
increased urination
nausea, vomiting
stomach pain
weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store tightly closed at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Saquinavir Mesylate Oral tablet
What is this medicine?
SAQUINAVIR (sa KWIN a veer) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
heart disease
hemophilia
history of irregular heartbeat
history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood
liver disease
an unusual or allergic reaction to saquinavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Take this medicine with ritonavir at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
alfuzosin
arsenic trioxide
certain medicines for cholesterol like lovastatin, simvastatin
chloroquine
cisapride
clarithromycin
clozapine
cobicistat
dapsone
droperidol
erythromycin
garlic supplements
haloperidol
medicines for headaches like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, lidocaine, procainamide, propafenone, sotalol, quinidine
methadone
midazolam
pentamidine
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine
pimozide
quinine
ranolazine
red yeast rice
rifampin
rifapentine
sildenafil
St. John's wort
tacrolimus
trazodone
triazolam
ziprasidone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
atorvastatin
certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
cyclosporine
dexamethasone
female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
fluticasone
fusidic acid
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for diabetes
medicines for erectile dysfunction
medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
medicines for stomach problems like esomeprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, ranitidine
other medicines for HIV
rapamycin
rifabutin
warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.
HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.
Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom or diaphragm.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
increased hunger or thirst
increased urination
nausea, vomiting
stomach pain
weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store tightly closed at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert