Nelfinavir Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 4, 2025.

Applies to the following strengths: 250 mg; 625 mg; 50 mg/g

Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection

1250 mg orally twice a day or 750 mg orally 3 times a day

Use: In combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection

Usual Adult Dose for Nonoccupational Exposure

US CDC recommendations: 1250 mg orally twice a day or 750 mg orally 3 times a day
Duration of therapy: 28 days

Comments:

Recommended as part of an alternative regimen for nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis of HIV infection
This drug should be used with (lamivudine or emtricitabine) plus (zidovudine or stavudine or abacavir or tenofovir or didanosine).
Prophylaxis should be started as soon as possible, within 72 hours of exposure.
Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Pediatric Dose for HIV Infection

2 to less than 13 years: 45 to 55 mg/kg orally twice a day or 25 to 35 mg/kg orally 3 times a day
Maximum dose: 2500 mg/day

Oral powder (50 mg/g):

9 to less than 10.5 kg: 500 mg orally twice a day or 300 mg orally 3 times a day
10.5 to less than 12 kg: 550 mg orally twice a day or 350 mg orally 3 times a day
12 to less than 14 kg: 650 mg orally twice a day or 400 mg orally 3 times a day
14 to less than 16 kg: 750 mg orally twice a day or 450 mg orally 3 times a day
16 to less than 18 kg: 500 mg orally 3 times a day
18 to less than 23 kg: 600 mg orally 3 times a day
23 kg or more: 750 mg orally 3 times a day

Tablets (250 mg):

10 to 12 kg: 500 mg orally twice a day or 250 mg orally 3 times a day
13 to 18 kg: 750 mg orally twice a day or 500 mg orally 3 times a day
19 to 20 kg: 1000 mg orally twice a day or 500 mg orally 3 times a day
21 kg or more: 1000 to 1250 mg orally twice a day or 750 mg orally 3 times a day

13 years or older:

Tablets: 1250 mg orally twice a day or 750 mg orally 3 times a day

Comments: For twice-daily dosing, the 250 mg tablets are recommended for children weighing 16 kg or more.

Use: In combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh A, score 5 to 6): No adjustment recommended.
Moderate or severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh B or C, score at least 7): Not recommended.

Precautions

In pediatric patients less than 2 years of age, this drug was found to be safe at the doses studied; however, a reliably effective dose could not be established.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Comments: Significant removal via dialysis is not likely (highly protein bound)

Other Comments

Administration advice:

Administer all doses with a meal (for optimal absorption).
For patients unable to swallow the tablets: Place tablet(s) in small amount of water; once dissolved, mix the cloudy liquid well, then consume immediately; rinse the glass with water and swallow the rinse to ensure the entire dose is consumed.
Mix the measured dose of the oral powder with a small amount of water, milk, formula, soy formula, soy milk, or dietary supplements; once mixed, consume the entire contents in order to obtain the full dose; if the mixture is not consumed immediately, it must be stored under refrigeration, but storage must not exceed 6 hours.
Consult the manufacturer product information regarding missed doses.

Storage requirements:

Store at 15C to 30C (59F to 86F).
Store in original bottle and keep tightly closed.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

Acidic foods or juices (e.g., orange juice, apple juice, apple sauce) should not be mixed with the oral powder as a bitter taste may result.
The oral powder should not be reconstituted with water in its original container.

General:

The oral powder contains 50 mg (as nelfinavir free base) in each level scoopful (1 g).
If a teaspoon is used to measure the oral powder, 1 level teaspoon contains 200 mg of nelfinavir (4 level scoops equals 1 level teaspoon).

Monitoring: