Amprenavir (Systemic)

Brand Names : Agenerase

Proper Use of This Medicine

Amprenavir may be taken with or without food. However, it should not be taken with a high-fat meal. Taking amprenavir with a high-fat meal may decrease the amount of amprenavir that is absorbed by the body and prevent the medicine from working properly.

You should not drink alcoholic beverages while you are taking the oral solution form of this medicine.

It is important to take amprenavir as part of a combination treatment. Your dose of medicine will be based on what other medicines you are taking, as well as your weight. Be sure to take all the medicines your doctor has prescribed for you, including amprenavir.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first.

Keep taking amprenavir for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take two doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Only take medicine that your doctor has prescribed especially for you. Do not share your medicine with others.

Dosing - The dose of amprenavir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of amprenavir. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  • For treatment of HIV infection:
    • Adults, adolescents 17 years of age and older, and adolescents 13 through 16 years of age who weigh 50 kilograms (kg) (110 pounds) or more - 1200 milligrams (mg) (eight 150-mg capsules) two times a day.
    • Children 4 to 13 years of age and adolescents 13 through 16 years of age who weigh less than 50 kg (110 pounds) - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg per kg (9.1 mg per pound) of body weight two times a day or 15 mg per kg (6.8 mg per pound) of body weight three times a day, up to a maximum dose of 2400 mg per day.
    • Children up to 4 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (oral solution):
  • For treatment of HIV infection:
    • Adults, adolescents 17 years of age and older, and adolescents 13 through 16 years of age who weigh 50 kg (110 pounds) or more - 1400 mg two times a day.
    • Children 4 to 12 years of age and adolescents 13 through 16 years of age who weigh less that 50 kg (110 pounds) - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 22.5 mg per kg (10.2 mg per pound) of body weight two times a day or 17 mg per kg (7.7 mg per pound) of body weight three times a day, up to a maximum dose of 2800 mg per day.
    • Children up to 4 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you are taking amprenavir capsules and you miss a dose , take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking amprenavir oral solution and you miss a dose, if it has been less than 4 hours since the dose was missed, take it immediately and then go back to your regular dosing schedule. If it has been more than 4 hours since the dose was missed, skip it and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.