Invirase

Maker:
Hoffmann-La Roche

What it does:
Helps prevent replication of HIV

Traditional dosage:
1,000 mg (five 200-mg capsules or two 500-mg tablets), in combination with 100 mg of Norvir, twice daily, at least two hours after a meal

Drug interactions, precautions, & recommendations:
Do not use with CYP3A substrates (dapsone, disopyramide, quinine), Aptivus-Norvir combination, Uroxatral, Cordarone, Vascor, Cisapride, Tikosyn, Tambocor, intravenous lidocaine, Rythmol, Quinidine, Propulsid, ergot medications (Parlodel, Migranal, Ergonovine, Bellamine, Cafergot, Ergomar, Methergine, or Permax), oral Versed, Orap, Rifadin, Revatio (when used to treat pulmonary hypertension), Mevacor, Advicor, Zocor, Juvisync, Simcor, Vytorin, Desyrel, Oleptro, Halcion, St. John’s Wort, Trazodone, garlic capsules, fusidic acid products, or drugs that both increase saquinavir plasma concentrations. Use with caution with Reyataz, Crixivan, Kaletra, Viracept, Rescriptor, Viramune, Lipitor, Crestor, Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Adcirca, Seroquel, hormonal contraceptives, certain sedatives and hypnotics, certain calcium channel blockers, certain antibiotics and antifungals, some antipsychotics or antidepressants, proton pump inhibitors. Do not use if you have complete atrioventricular block without implanted pacemakers, or are at high risk of complete AV block; have severe liver problems, low potassium or low magnesium, Long QT Syndrome, refractory hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia. Use caution if you have other heart or liver problems, hemophilia, or diabetes.

Side effects:
Most serious: worsening of heart and or liver problems; increased bleeding with hemophilia; diabetes or high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides; or changes in body fat, immune system, or heart rhythm

Other: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, abdominal pain