Nelfinavir (By Mouth)

Nelfinavir (nel-FIN-a-veer)

Treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nelfinavir does not cure HIV or AIDS, but may help slow the progress of the disease.

Brand Name(s):

Viracept
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to nelfinavir. You should not take this medicine if you are also taking astemizole (Hismanal®), cisapride (Propulsid®), triazolam (Halcion®), midazolam (Versed®), ergot medicines (such as Cafergot® or Wigraine®), amiodarone (Cordarone®), or quinidine (Quinidex®, Quinaglute®, Cardioquin®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Powder

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. It is best to take this medicine with food.
• If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may dissolve it in a small amount of water, or crush it and mix with a small amount of food. Once the medicine is mixed with water or food, you must use the mixture within six hours.
• Measure the powder carefully using the measuring scoop provided with the medicine. Mix the powder with a small amount of water, milk, soy milk, baby formula, or a dietary supplement drink. Use the mixture right away.
• Nelfinavir is taken with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine away from children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Certain drugs should not be used while using nelfinavir. Using these drugs can cause very serious medical problems, or even death.
• Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you take, especially Viagra®, birth control pills, cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), rifabutin (Mycobutin®), ritonavir (Norvir®), indinavir (Crixivan®), saquinavir (Invirase®, Fortovase™), St. John's wort, tacrolimus (Prograf®), medicine for seizures (such as phenobarbital, Depakote®, Dilantin®, Tegretol®), or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as Lipitor®, Pravachol®, Zocor®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease, diabetes, hemophilia (a bleeding disorder), or phenylketonuria (PKU).
• You should not breast feed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.
• Nelfinavir will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• Increased thirst, hunger, or urination (with nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, and unusual breath odor in more severe cases), and weight loss
• Severe diarrhea
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Mood changes, tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, loss of appetite, gas
• Weight gain or changes in body fat distribution

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.