Invirase

Pronunciation: sa-KWIN-a-vir MES-i-late
Generic Name: Saquinavir Mesylate
Brand Name: Invirase

Invirase is used for:

Treating HIV infection. Invirase must be taken along with ritonavir.

Invirase is a protease inhibitor. It works by blocking the growth activity of an enzyme (HIV protease) that the HIV virus needs to reproduce in the body.

Do NOT use Invirase if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Invirase or to ritonavir


• you have severe liver problems, certain electrolyte problems (eg, low blood potassium or magnesium levels), a certain type of irregular heartbeat (heart block) and you do not have a pacemaker, or if you are at risk of heart block


• you have a history of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (eg, congenital long QT syndrome, QT prolongation) or certain other heart problems


• you are taking alfuzosin, astemizole, certain benzodiazepines (eg, midazolam, triazolam), cisapride, conivaptan, a garlic supplement, an ergot derivative (eg, ergotamine, ergonovine), erythromycin, salmeterol, certain medicines to treat high cholesterol (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin) or irregular heartbeat (eg, amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine), pimozide, rifampin, St. John's wort, terfenadine, tolvaptan, or trazodone


• you are taking sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Invirase:

Some medical conditions may interact with Invirase. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have heart problems (eg, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure [CHF]), high blood cholesterol or triglycerides, hepatitis or other liver problems, severe kidney problems, hemophilia, or diabetes or a family history of diabetes


• if you have alcoholism or a history of alcohol abuse

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Invirase. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Astemizole, cisapride, erythromycin, pimozide, salmeterol, terfenadine, or certain medicines for irregular heartbeat (eg, amiodarone, bepridil, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine) because the risk of severe heart side effects (eg, irregular heartbeat) may be increased


• Ergot derivatives (eg, ergotamine, ergonovine) because the risk of severe blood vessel problems in the hands and feet may be increased


• Alfuzosin because the risk of severe low blood pressure may be increased


• Rifampin because the risk of severe liver problems may be increased


• Garlic supplements or St. John's wort because they may decrease Invirase's effectiveness


• Certain cholesterol medicines (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), conivaptan, midazolam, sildenafil (when used for PAH), tolvaptan, or triazolam because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Invirase


• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergies, asthma, birth control, blood thinning, cancer, gout, irregular heartbeat or other heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV infection, heartburn or reflux, erectile dysfunction, PAH, overactive bladder, immune system suppression, infections, mental or mood problems, anxiety, migraine headaches, pain, seizures, sleep), herbs found in multivitamin products, herbal teas, and dietary supplements (eg, garlic, St. John's wort) may interact with Invirase and increase the risk of side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Invirase may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Invirase:

Use Invirase as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Invirase comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Invirase refilled.


• Take Invirase and ritonavir with a meal or within 2 hours after a full meal or large snack.


• Ritonavir should be taken at the same time as Invirase.


• Taking Invirase at the same times each day will help you to remember to take it.


• Take Invirase on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.


• Talk with your doctor before you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Invirase.


• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Invirase, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Invirase.

Important safety information:

• Invirase may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Invirase with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Changes in body fat (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking Invirase. The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.


• Invirase may improve immune system function. This may reveal hidden infections in some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of infection (eg, fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, shortness of breath) after you start Invirase.


• Do not stop taking Invirase or change your dose without talking to your doctor.


• When your medicine supply is low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. Do not stop taking Invirase, even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat.


• Invirase is not a cure for HIV infection. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor.


• Invirase does not stop the spread of HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors.


• Invirase may increase triglyceride and lipid levels. The long-term chance of complications from these increased triglyceride and lipid levels, such as a heart attack and stroke, are not known at this time.


• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Invirase. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).


• Hemophilia patients - Report all bleeding episodes to your doctor.


• Invirase may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, urinate more often than usual, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.


• Diabetes patients - Invirase may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Lab tests, including liver function, thyroid function, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels, blood glucose levels, blood electrolyte levels, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Invirase. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Invirase with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Invirase should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Invirase while you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking Invirase. Mothers infected with HIV should not breast-feed. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or Invirase to the baby.

Possible side effects of Invirase:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Anxiety; blurred vision; body fat changes; changes in sexual desire; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry lips or skin; gas; headache; heartburn; mouth sores; nausea; night sweats; sleeplessness; stomach discomfort; taste changes; tenderness or bleeding of the gums; tiredness; vomiting; warts; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back pain; blood in the vomit or stools; chest tightness or pain; confusion; coughing up blood; dark urine; depression or thoughts of suicide; difficulty urinating; excessive thirst, hunger, or urination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; flu-like symptoms; itching; loss of appetite; loss of coordination; numbness or tingling; pain in muscles or joints; pale stools; reddened, blistered, or swollen skin; seizures; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness; shortness of breath; stomach pain or tenderness; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual vaginal discharge or odor; unusual weakness; white patches in the mouth; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Invirase side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Invirase:

Store Invirase at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed bottle. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store Invirase in the bathroom. Keep Invirase out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Invirase, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Invirase is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Invirase. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Invirase resources

• Invirase Side Effects (in more detail)
• Invirase Dosage
• Invirase Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Invirase Drug Interactions
• Invirase Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Invirase - Add your own review/rating

• Invirase Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Invirase Consumer Overview


• Invirase Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Invirase Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Fortovase Prescribing Information (FDA)

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