POZ IRELAND
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POZ IRELAND
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FOSAMPRENAVIR What Is Fosamprenavir?Other names:Telzir, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Fosamprenavir is a protease inhibitor. Fosamprenavir is a pro-drug. It breaks down in the body to produce the active form, which is the drug amprenavir. What About Drug Resistance?Fosamprenavir might not be cross-resistant with other protease inhibitors. Resistance can develop quickly. It is very important to take antiviral medications according to instructions, on schedule, and not to skip or reduce doses. How Is It Taken?The normal adult dose is two 700 mg tablets twice a day. Fosamprenavir is also approved in combinations with ritonavir, as follows:
For patients who have already used other protease inhibitors, the only recommended dosing is 700 mg of fosamprenavir plus 100 mg of ritonavir, taken twice daily. If you have liver problems or damage, talk to your doctor. You may need an adjusted dose of fosamprenavir. Fosamprenavir is available as 700 mg tablets. It can be taken with or without food. It should be stored at room temperature. If you take fosamprenavir with ritonavir, be sure to keep the ritonavir in your refrigerator, or for up to 30 days at room temperature (below 77 degrees F, or 25 degrees C). Unlike the original version of amprenavir, fosamprenavir does not contain any Vitamin E. What Are the Side Effects?The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash, and headache. Some patients also felt numbness around the mouth, and abdominal pain. Less than 1% of people get serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. No other side effects seem to be very serious. The diarrhoea in most cases can be controlled with over-the-counter medications. Fosamprenavir can increase triglycerides (a blood fat). However, fosamprenavir might cause less of an increase in cholesterol than other protease inhibitors. Fosamprenavir is a sulpha drug. If you are allergic to sulpha drugs, be sure to tell your doctor. How Does It React With Other Drugs?Fosamprenavir is broken down by the liver and can interact with other drugs that also use the liver. Combining these drugs can change the amount of each drug in your bloodstream and cause an under- or overdose. Drugs to watch out for include drugs to treat tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction (such as Viagra,) several antihistamines, sedatives, drugs to lower cholesterol and anti-fungal drugs. Make sure that your doctor knows about ALL drugs you are taking. Fosamprenavir may work better if it is taken with the reverse transcriptase inhibitor abacavir. Fosamprenavir should not be combined with Kaletra. Blood levels of both lopinavir and fosamprenavir are reduced. More side effects were observed. If fosamprenavir is taken with ritonavir and efavirenz, the daily dosage of ritonavir may need to be increased. Some birth control pills may not work if you are taking fosamprenavir. Fosamprenavir causes major increases in blood levels of some antidepressants like Elavil and Tofranil. These drugs are sometimes used to treat peripheral neuropathy. Discuss use of antidepressants with your doctor. Taking fosamprenavir with methadone can lower blood levels of both drugs. Check with your doctor if you use methadone. The herb St. John's Wort lowers the blood levels of some protease inhibitors. Do not take it while taking fosamprenavir. Tell your doctor about any herbs or other supplements that you use. Fosamprenavir increases blood levels of several "statin" drugs used to lower cholesterol levels. Some statins should not be used. The dose of others should be reduced. |
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