Fosamprenavir

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Brand name(s): LexivaŽ

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking fosamprenavir,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fosamprenavir, amprenavir (Agenerase), sulfa medications, or any other medications.
• do not take fosamprenavir if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid); ergot medications such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine, Gerimal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Bellamine, Cafergot, Migergot), methylergonovine (Methergine), and methysergide (Sansert); midazolam (Versed); pimozide (Orap); or triazolam (Halcion).
• do not take flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rhythmol) if you are taking fosamprenavir and ritonavir (Norvir) together.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone (Serzone), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), trazodone, and trimipramine (Surmontil); benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (ClorazeCaps, Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), and flurazepam (Dalmane); buspirone (BuSpar); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Lotrel, Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tizac), felodipine (Lexxel, Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Nifedical, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); chlorpheniramine (antihistamine in cough and cold medicines); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); clarithromycin (Biaxin); danazol (Danocrine); dexamethasone (Decadron); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-mycin, Erythrocin); fluconazole (Diflucan); histamine H2-receptor blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); itraconazole (Sporanox); ketoconazole (Nizoral); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), bepridil (Vascor), flecainide (Tambocor ), propafenone (Rhythmol), and quinidine (Quinidex); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), ethosuximide (Zarontin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); metronidazole (Flagyl); other medications to treat HIV including amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), and ritonavir (Norvir); proton-pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (AcipHex); quinine; rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); terfenadine (Allegra); troleandomycin (TAO); vincristine (Vincasar); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you are taking medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra). You should know that fosamprenavir may increase the chance that you will experience serious side effects from these medications. If you are taking any of these medications and you experience dizziness, fainting, upset stomach, changes in vision, or a painful erection that lasts for several hours, call your doctor right away.
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, hemophilia (a disease in which the blood does not clot normally), high cholesterol or triglycerides, kidney or liver disease, or if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking fosamprenavir, call your doctor. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or are taking fosamprenavir.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking fosamprenavir.
• you should know that fosamprenavir may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medication.
• you should know that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts and upper back.

Last Revised: 07/01/2004

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