fosamprenavir

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is more than 4 hours after your scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of this drug.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist before you start taking fosamprenavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult you doctor or pharmacist. This medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Fosamprenavir is usually taken once or twice daily in patients who have never taken protease inhibitors to treat HIV before. If you have taken other protease inhibitors in the past, this medication should be taken twice a day. If you are not sure if you have taken other protease inhibitors in the past or if you have any questions about how often to take this medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist promptly. The tablet form may be taken with or without food. If you are using the liquid form, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure your prescribed dose using a medication-measuring device or spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Adults should take the liquid form without food. Children (younger than 19 years) should take the liquid form with food. If vomiting occurs within 30 minutes after dosing, the dose should be repeated. Dosage is based on age, weight, medical condition, and other medications you may be taking. Because fosamprenavir is converted by the body into amprenavir, you should not take this drug if you are already taking amprenavir. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you take antacids or didanosine, take them at least one hour before or after taking fosamprenavir. Taking antacids or didanosine at the same time as fosamprenavir decreases the amount of amprenavir (active form of this drug) in your bloodstream. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: alfuzosin, cisapride, delavirdine, ergot drugs (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine), etravirine, midazolam, pimozide, ranolazine, certain rifamycins (rifampin, rifapentine), certain "statin" drugs for cholesterol (lovastatin, simvastatin), St John's wort, triazolam. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting fosamprenavir. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other anti-HIV drugs (such as amprenavir, efavirenz, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, saquinavir), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam), artemether-lumefantrine, bosentan, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil), colchicine, dexamethasone, drugs to treat erectile dysfunction/pulmonary hypertension (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil), erythromycin, ethinyl estradiol, fluticasone, drugs that suppress the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rapamycin), drugs for irregular heartbeat (e.g., amiodarone, flecainide, IV lidocaine, propafenone, quinidine), garlic supplements, methadone, paroxetine, rifabutin, salmeterol, anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), temsirolimus, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), anti-ulcer medicines (e.g., H2 blockers such as ranitidine, cimetidine), warfarin. This medication may cause hormonal birth control (pills, patch, ring) to work less well. This effect can result in pregnancy. To help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of spreading HIV to others, always use effective barrier protection (latex or polyurethane condoms, dental dams) during all sexual activity (see also Notes section). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Ask your doctor how you can lower your risk of heart disease (for example - weight loss, controlling high blood pressure, stop smoking). Patients treated with fosamprenavir may continue to acquire "opportunistic" infections associated with HIV. This medication does not prevent the transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood. Practice "safe sex" (including the use of latex condoms) to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function, triglycerides/cholesterol, white blood cell counts-WBC, blood sugar) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Before taking fosamprenavir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to amprenavir; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (coronary artery disease, heart attack), lipid problems (high cholesterol or triglycerides/fats), blood disorders (hemophilia), diabetes, kidney problems (such as kidney stones), liver disease. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially vomiting. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.

Store the tablet form in a tightly closed container between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Store the liquid form in a tightly closed container between 41-86 degrees F (5-30 degrees C) away from light. Refrigeration may improve the taste of the liquid medication. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and stomach/abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual increase in thirst or urination, mental/mood changes, numbness or tingling of hands or feet, symptoms of kidney stones (such as pain in your side, blood in your urine, pain when urinating). Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating). Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. If you are taking HIV medications for the first time, you may experience symptoms of an old infection. This may happen as your immune system begins to work better. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: new cough, trouble breathing, fever, new vision problems, new headaches, new skin problems. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This medication can commonly cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Therefore, seek immediate medical attention if you develop any rash. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.