Viracept is used for:
Treating HIV infection.
Viracept is an HIV protease inhibitor. It works by slowing the growth of HIV type 1, the virus that causes AIDS.
Do NOT use Viracept if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Viracept
• you are taking alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, cisapride, an ergot derivative (eg, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), midazolam, pimozide, proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole), quinidine, rifampin, St. John's wort, terfenadine, or triazolam
• you have taken eletriptan within the past 72 hours
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Viracept :
Some medical conditions may interact with Viracept . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diabtetes, hemophilia, high blood sugar, or liver problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Viracept . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
• Rifampin or St. John's wort because they may decrease Viracept 's effectiveness
• Alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, cisapride, eletriptan, ergot derivatives (eg, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine), certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), midazolam, pimozide, quinidine, terfenadine, or triazolam because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Viracept
• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, allergies, asthma, birth control, blood thinning, cancer, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, HIV, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heartburn or ulcers, immune system suppression, irregular heartbeat, mental or mood problems, migraine headaches, seizures, trouble sleeping), and multivitamin products, herbal, or dietary supplements (eg, coenzyme Q10, garlic, gingko, ginseng, herbal teas, St. John's wort) may interact with Viracept , increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing effectiveness.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Viracept may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Viracept :
Use Viracept as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• An extra patient leaflet is available with Viracept . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Viracept by mouth with a meal or light snack.
• Tablets may be swallowed whole, crushed and mixed with food, or dissolved in water. Once mixed with food or dissolved in water, swallow the entire contents to get the full dose. Rinse the glass with water and swallow the rinse to ensure that the entire dose is taken.
• If you are taking didanosine, take Viracept with food at least 1 hour before or more than 2 hours after taking didanosine.
• If you miss a dose of Viracept , take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of Viracept . Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Viracept .