What is Fosamprenavir?

Fosamprenavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Fosamprenavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.
Fosamprenavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fosamprenavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Fosamprenavir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Fosamprenavir?

Do not take fosamprenavir with cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Methergine, and others.
Fosamprenavir should not be taken together with ritonavir (Norvir) if you are also using a heart rhythm medication called flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol). Ask your doctor about taking a different medication for your heart rhythm disorder.
These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking fosamprenavir.
There are many other medicines that can cause serious interactions if you use them while taking fosamprenavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Fosamprenavir?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to fosamprenavir or a similar drug called amprenavir (Agenerase).
Do not take fosamprenavir together with cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Fosamprenavir should not be taken together with ritonavir (Norvir) if you are also using a heart rhythm medication called flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol). Ask your doctor about taking a different medication for your heart rhythm disorder.
These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking fosamprenavir.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a fosamprenavir dose adjustment or special tests:

liver disease
kidney disease
diabetes
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
heart disease, history of heart attack
high cholesterol or triglycerides; or
if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether fosamprenavir will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
Taking fosamprenavir together with another HIV medicine called ritonavir (Norvir) and also using birth control pills can increase you risk of liver problems. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking fosamprenavir and ritonavir.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Fosamprenavir Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Fosamprenavir?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking fosamprenavir and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness
increased urination or extreme thirst
sudden and severe pain in your lower back or side, blood in your urine, pain or burning when you urinate
signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms
easy bruising or bleeding; or
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash

Less serious side effects of fosamprenavir may include:

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
numbness or tingling, especially around your mouth
headache, mood changes; or
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Fosamprenavir Interactions

What other drugs affect Fosamprenavir?

Many other drugs can cause serious or life-threatening drug interactions if you use them while taking fosamprenavir. Tell your doctor if you are also using:

itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone), lidocaine, or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), or paroxetine (Paxil)
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
steroid medicine such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) or fluticasone (Advair, Flonase, Flovent)
St. John’s wort
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Caduet, Lotrel, Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Dilacor), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
cholesterol-lowering medicine such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), or simvastatin (Zocor)
drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf)
other HIV /AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), or lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth
medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra)
seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
stomach acid reducers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac)

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with fosamprenavir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking Fosamprenavir?

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Fosamprenavir Dosage

How should I take Fosamprenavir?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Fosamprenavir tablets can be taken with or without food.
Fosamprenavir liquid should be taken with food in children and without food in adults.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Use fosamprenavir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor’s advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store fosamprenavir tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
You may store fosamprenavir liquid in the refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze.

What happens if I overdose on Fosamprenavir?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What happens if I miss a dose of Fosamprenavir?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Fosamprenavir