NELFINAVIR

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Viracept

GENERIC NAME(S): NELFINAVIR MESYLATE

 

Description: Nelfinavir is a selective, competitive, reversible HIV protease inhibitor. It inhibits HIV-1 protease resulting in the production of noninfectious virus.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Absorbed from the GI tract. Peak plasma levels in 2-4 hr. Absorption increased with food.

Distribution: Extensively bound to plasma proteins (98%). Enters breast milk.

Metabolism: Hepatic via oxidation.

Excretion: Mainly via faeces (as metabolites); via urine (about 1-2%). Terminal half-life: 3.5-5 hr.

Uses

  • Used for
    • HIV infection control in conjucntion with other HIV medications by decreasing the amount of HIV in your body thereby lowering your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life.
    • Belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.

 

  • Nelfinavir is not a cure for HIV infection
  • To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, do all of the following:
    • (1) continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor, (2) always use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during all sexual activity, and (3) do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids

 

  • May also be used in combination with other HIV medications to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection after contact with the virus. Consult your doctor for more details.

 

How to use nelfinavir

  • Always refer to your doctors instructions before taking this medication. Duration and dosage will be determined by your medical condition and its response to the medication. Make sure to take this mediciation in the prescribed amount and time period even after symptoms disappear. Discontinuing the medication before completion of treatment may cause incomplete treatment of condition. If Symptoms persist, consult your doctor

 

Taken by mouth; With a meal; usually 2-3 times a day or as directed by your physician; Tablet may be crushed and taken with food or a small amount of water

Side effects

    • Minor side effects (if these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor)
      • Diarrhea
      • Nausea or gas

     

    • Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)
      • unexplained weight loss, persistent muscle aches/weakness, joint pain, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs, severe tiredness, vision changes, severe/persistent headaches, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores), signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter), signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (such as difficulty breathing/swallowing/moving your eyes, drooping face, paralysis, slurred speech), symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating), easy bruising/bleeding, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

     

    • May cause elevated blood sugar levels, which can cause or worsen diabetes.

     

    • Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (such as increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). Discuss the risks and benefits of use with your doctor

     

    • Severe allergic reactions are rare. Get immediate medical help if you notice the following:

    Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing

Precautions

    • Precautions: 
      • Inform your doctor
        • Allergy to the medication or any allergies
        • Medical History of diabetes, heart problems (coronary artery disease, heart attack), lipid problems (high cholesterol or triglycerides/fats), hemophilia, liver problems.

       

      • Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially diarrhea or rash.

       

      • It is uknown if this drug passes into breast milk and because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed and consult your physician.

       

      Interactions:

      Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.

       

      • Products that may interact with this medication include:
        • certain antiarrhythmics (amiodarone, quinidine), certain benzodiazepines (midazolam, triazolam), cisapride, eletriptan, eplerenone, ergot alkaloids (such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine), pimozide, ranolazine, rifampin, St. John’s wort, certain “statin” cholesterol drugs (lovastatin, simvastatin), certain drugs to lower acid in the stomach (proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole, omeprazole).
        • May slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. This may include:
          • alfuzosin, isavuconazonium, lurasidone, naloxegol, regorafenib, certain drugs that weaken the immune system (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), drugs to treat erectile dysfunction-ED or pulmonary hypertension (such as sildenafil, vardenafil), salmeterol, suvorexant.
        • Other medications can affect the removal of nelfinavir from your body, which may affect how nelfinavir works. Examples include:
          • rifabutin, certain anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital), other HIV drugs (such as ritonavir), among others.

      May decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring.

Overdose

    • Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

       

      Missed Dose

      If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and As soon as you remember, take a regular dose or if the time of the next dose is near, wait for it before taking another dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not increase the dose to compensate for the missed dose

       

      Storage

      • Room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C)
      • Do not expose to light and moisture
      • Do not store in the bathroom
      • Keep all medications away from pets and children

       

      Brands:

       

      Available Brands:

      Viracept [ Roche ]

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