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Viracept Side Effects

Generic name: nelfinavir

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 12, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Viracept Side Effects associated with nelfinavir. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Viracept.

Applies to nelfinavir: oral tablet.

Common side effects of Viracept

Some side effects of nelfinavir may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • diarrhea

Less common

  • acid or sour stomach
  • belching
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles" , or tingling feelings
  • difficulty in moving
  • discouragement
  • feeling sad or empty
  • heartburn
  • increase in body movements
  • irritability
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • muscle aches, cramps, pain, or stiffness
  • muscular tenderness, wasting or weakness
  • passing gas
  • redistribution or accumulation of body fat
  • sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping

Serious side effects of Viracept

Along with its needed effects, nelfinavir (the active ingredient contained in Viracept) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking nelfinavir:

Less common

  • anxiety
  • bleeding gums
  • bloating
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • bloody, black, tarry stools
  • blurred vision
  • chest pain
  • chills
  • coma
  • confusion
  • constipation
  • cool, pale skin
  • cough
  • darkened urine
  • dehydration
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • fast heartbeat
  • fever
  • flushed, dry skin
  • fruity mouth odor
  • increased hunger
  • increased thirst
  • increased urination
  • indigestion
  • joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • nervousness
  • nightmares
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • seizures
  • shakiness
  • slurred speech
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • sweating
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • swollen glands
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
  • yellow eyes or skin
  • weight loss

Incidence not known

  • clay-colored stools
  • difficulty with breathing
  • drowsiness
  • fainting
  • headache
  • irregular heartbeat
  • muscle tremors
  • noisy breathing
  • rapid, deep breathing
  • recurrent fainting
  • restlessness
  • skin rash
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • vomiting of blood
Managing side effects (general information)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to nelfinavir: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet.

General

Most side effects were of mild severity. The most common side effect was diarrhea, which was usually of mild to moderate severity.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Hematologic

HIV protease inhibitor therapy:

Increased bleeding (including spontaneous skin hematomas and hemarthrosis) in patients with hemophilia type A and B has been associated with protease inhibitors. In many of the reported cases, treatment with protease inhibitors was continued or restarted and some patients required additional factor VIII. A causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these episodes has not been established.[Ref]

Hepatic

Musculoskeletal

Dermatologic

Nervous system

Other

Respiratory

Cardiovascular

Metabolic

Combination antiretroviral therapy:

HIV protease inhibitor therapy:

Psychiatric

Hypersensitivity

Renal

Genitourinary

Immunologic

Ocular

References

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2. AIDSinfo. NIH. National Institutes of Health (2015) Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in pediatric HIV infection. http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/lvguidelines/pediatricguidelines.pdf

3. HHS Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council (OARAC). NIH. National Institutes of Health (2015) Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents. http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/lvguidelines/adultandadolescentgl.pdf

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6. Moyle GJ, Youle M, Higgs C, Monaghan J, Peterkin J, Chapman S, Nelson M (1996) "Extended follow-up of safety and activity of agouron's HIV proteinas inhibitor ag1343 (Viracept) in virological responders from the UK phase I/II dose finding study." Int Conf AIDS, 11, 18(ab.no.mo.b.173)

7. Carr A (2000) "HIV protease inhibitor-related lipodystrophy syndrome." Clin Infect Dis, 30, s135-42

8. Hsyu PH, Schultz-Smith MD, Lillibridge JH, Lewis RH, Kerr BM (2001) "Pharmacokinetic Interactions between Nelfinavir and 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors Atorvastatin and Simvastatin." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 45, p. 3445-50

9. (2001) "Drugs for HIV infection." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 43, p. 103-8

10. Ghosn J, Lamotte C, Ait-Mohand H, et al. (2003) "Efficacy of a twice-daily antiretroviral regimen containing 100 mg ritonavir/400 mg indinavir in HIV-infected patients." AIDS, 17, p. 209-14

11. Aarnoutse RE, Droste JA, Van Oosterhout JJ, et al. (2003) "Pharmacokinetics, food intake requirements and tolerability of once-daily combinations of nelfinavir and low-dose ritonavir in healthy volunteers." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 55, p. 115-125

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14. Heeswijk RP, Khaliq Y, Gallicano KD, et al. (2004) "The pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir and M8 during pregnancy and post partum." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 76, p. 588-97

15. Regazzi M, Maserati R, Villani P, et al. (2005) "Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Nelfinavir and Its Metabolite M8 in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive and HIV-Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Subjects." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 49, p. 643-9

16. Timmermans S, Tempelman C, Godfried MH, et al. (2005) "Nelfinavir and nevirapine side effects during pregnancy." AIDS, 19, p. 795-799

17. Perry CM, Frampton JE, McCormack PL, Siddiqui MA, Cvetkovic RS (2005) "Nelfinavir: A Review of its Use in the Management of HIV Infection." Drugs, 65, p. 2209-44

18. Damle B, Hewlett D Jr, Hsyu PH, Becker M, Petersen A (2006) "Pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir in subjects with hepatic impairment." J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 1241-9

19. Warnke D, Barreto J, Temesgen Z (2007) "Antiretroviral drugs." J Clin Pharmacol, 47, p. 1570-9

20. (2009) "Drugs for HIV infection." Treat Guidel Med Lett, 7, p. 11-22

21. Marzolini C, Buclin T, Decosterd LA, Biollaz J, Telenti A (2001) "Nelfinavir plasma levels under twice-daily and three-times-daily regimens: High interpatient and low intrapatient variability." Ther Drug Monit, 23, p. 394-8

22. Puro V, Soldani F, De Carli G, Lazarevic Z, Mattioli F, Ippolito G (2003) "Drug-induced aminotransferase alterations during antiretroviral HIV post-exposure prophylaxis." AIDS, 17, p. 1988-90

23. Abraham PE, Sorensen SJ, Baker WH, Cushing HE (2001) "Nelfinavir desensitization." Ann Pharmacother, 35, p. 553-6

24. Martinez E, Mocroft A, GarciaViejo MA, PerezCuevas JB, Blanco JL, Mallolas J, Bianchi L, Conget I, Blanch J, Phillips A, Gatell (2001) "Risk of lipodystrophy in HIV-1-infected patients treated with protease inhibitors: a prospective cohort study." Lancet, 357, p. 592-8

25. Manfredi R, Calza L, Chiodo F (2001) "Gynecomastia associated with highly antiretroviral therapy." Ann Pharmacother, 35, p. 438-9

26. Dube MP, Parker RA, Tebas P, et al. (2005) "Glucose metabolism, lipid, and body fat changes in antiretroviral-naive subjects randomized to nelfinavir or efavirenz plus dual nucleosides." AIDS, 19, p. 1807-1818

27. Fantoni M, Del Borgo C, Autore C (2003) "Evaluation and management of metabolic and coagulative disorders in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy." AIDS, 17 Suppl 1, S162-9

28. Fisac C, Virgili N, Ferrer E, et al. (2003) "A comparison of the effects of nevirapine and nelfinavir on metabolism and body habitus in antiretroviral-naive human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: a randomized controlled study." J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 88, p. 5186-92

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Further information

Viracept side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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