Drugs & Vitamins

Nelfinavir Active Ingredients: Nelfinavir Representative Names: Viracept Available Product Images: What are nelfinavir tablets? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should I take this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with nelfinavir? What side effects might I notice from taking nelfinavir? What should I watch for while taking nelfinavir? Where can I keep my medicine? What are nelfinavir tablets? (Back to top) NELFINAVIR (Viracept®) is an antiviral drug called a protease inhibitor. Nelfinavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Nelfinavir may reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood. Nelfinavir is used in combination with other drugs used to treat the HIV virus. Nelfinavir will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. You may still develop other infections or conditions associated with HIV. Generic nelfinavir tablets are not yet available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •diabetes or high blood sugar •hemophillia •high cholesterol or lipids in your blood •liver disease •received other treatments for HIV or AIDS •an unusual or allergic reaction to nelfinavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •breast-feeding •pregnancy or recent attempts to get pregnant How should I take this medicine? (Back to top) Take nelfinavir tablets by mouth with a meal or light snack, within 1 hour before or after a meal. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Fruit or fruit juice is not enough food to take with nelfinavir. Appropriate foods include cheese and crackers, cookies and milk, a granola bar, a bagel or a small sandwich. Take your doses at regular intervals. If you cannot swallow the tablets, put the whole or crushed tablets in a small amount of water to dissolve or mix crushed tablets in a small amount of food. The pills will dissolve in 1—2 minutes; there may still be some small pieces, but they should be easy to swallow. Once mixed with food or water, you must eat or drink the whole amount to get the full dose. Rinse the drinking glass and drink the rinse to ensure the entire dose is consumed. Avoid mixing nelfinavir with acidic foods or juices (like orange juice, apple juice, or apple sauce) because a bitter taste may occur. To help to make sure that your anti-HIV therapy works as well as possible, be very careful to take all of your medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) 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 drug(s) may interact with nelfinavir? (Back to top) Many medicines may interact with nelfinavir, if you have a question concerning other medicines you may be taking, talk with your pharmacist, prescriber or other health care professional. Do not take nelfinavir with any of these medicines: •amiodarone (Cordarone®) •astemizole (Hismanal®) •bepridil (Vascor®) or mibefradil (Posicor®) •cerivastatin (Baycol®) •cisapride (Propulsid®) •ergotamine medicines (such as Cafergot®, Migranal®, D.H.E. 45®, and others) •lovastatin (Mevacor®) •midazolam (Versed®) •pimozide (Orap®) •quinidine (Quinaglute®, Cardioquin®, Quinidex®, and others) •rifampin (Rimactane®, Rifadin®, Rifater®, or Rifamate®) •simvastatin (Zocor®) •St. John's wort or any herbal products containing St. John's wort •terfenadine (Seldane®) •triazolam (Halcion®) •went yeast (Cholestin™) Other medicines that may interact with nelfinavir: •birth control pills or hormone-type birth control •bosentan •calcium-channel blockers, often used for high blood pressure or chest pain (examples: amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, verapamil) •certain medicines for anxiety or for difficulty sleeping •certain medicines for fungal infections •certain medicines for high cholesterol •certain pain medicines •cilostazol •cyclosporine •disopyramide •dofetilide •doxercalciferol •imatinib, STI-571 •levomethadyl •medicines for seizures •medicines for depression •medicines for diabetes •other antiviral medicines such as delavirdine, didanosine, ddI, efavirenz, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir •paricalcitol •rifabutin •sildenafil •sirolimus •tacrolimus •went yeast (Cholestin™) Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects might I notice from taking nelfinavir? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •difficulty breathing •severe dizziness •severe rash with fever •unusual tiredness or weakness Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •diarrhea •gas •headache •nausea, vomiting •stomach pain •tiredness or weakness What should I watch for while taking nelfinavir? (Back to top) Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your prescriber or health care professional. Nelfinavir will not cure HIV and you can still get other illnesses or complications associated with your disease. Taking nelfinavir does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone. If you are a women of childbearing age and are using hormone contraceptives, then you should use another form of birth control while taking nelfinavir. Nelfinavir may decrease the effectiveness of hormone birth control agents, including birth control pills and injections. This medicine contains a chemical that may increase your risk of cancer. Pregnant women and children may need to use a different HIV medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Last Updated:09/12/2007 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: 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.