Lexiva

Generic Name: fosamprenavir (FOS am pren a veer)
Brand Names: Lexiva

What is Lexiva?

Lexiva is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Lexiva prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Lexiva is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Lexiva may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Lexiva

Do not take Lexiva with cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Methergine, and others. Lexiva should not be taken together with ritonavir (Norvir) if you are also using a heart rhythm medication called flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol). Ask your doctor about taking a different medication for your heart rhythm disorder. These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking Lexiva.

There are many other medicines that can cause serious interactions if you use them while taking Lexiva. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking Lexiva will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex.

Before taking Lexiva

Do not take Lexiva if you are allergic to fosamprenavir or a similar drug called amprenavir (Agenerase).

Do not take Lexiva together with cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine). Lexiva should not be taken together with ritonavir (Norvir) if you are also using a heart rhythm medication called flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol). Ask your doctor about taking a different medication for your heart rhythm disorder. These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking Lexiva.

To make sure you can safely take Lexiva, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;

• diabetes;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• heart disease, history of heart attack;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides; or

• if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Lexiva will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

See also: Lexiva pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using Lexiva.

Taking Lexiva together with another HIV medicine called ritonavir (Norvir) and also using birth control pills can increase you risk of liver problems. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking fosamprenavir and ritonavir. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Lexiva?

Take Lexiva exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Lexiva tablets can be taken with or without food.

Lexiva liquid should be taken with food in children and without food in adults.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Use Lexiva regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Store Lexiva tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You may store Lexiva liquid in the refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze.

See also: Lexiva dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Lexiva?

Taking Lexiva will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Lexiva side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Lexiva: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Lexiva and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

• increased urination or extreme thirst;

• sudden and severe pain in your lower back or side, blood in your urine, pain or burning when you urinate;

• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms;

• easy bruising or bleeding; or

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious Lexiva side effects of Lexiva may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;

• numbness or tingling, especially around your mouth;

• headache, mood changes; or

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Lexiva side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Lexiva?

Many other drugs can cause serious or life-threatening drug interactions if you use them while taking Lexiva. Tell your doctor if you are also using:

• itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), lidocaine, or quinidine (Quin-G);

• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), or paroxetine (Paxil);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• steroid medicine such as dexamethasone (Cortastat, Dexasone, Solurex, DexPak) or fluticasone (Advair, Flonase, Flovent);

• St. John's wort;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);

• heart or blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;

• cholesterol-lowering medicine such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);

• drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf);

• other HIV /AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva, Atripla), nevirapine (Viramune), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), or raltegravir (Isentress);

• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;

• medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra);

• seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or

• stomach acid reducers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with Lexiva. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Lexiva.