Fosamprenavir

Fosamprenavir is an antiviral medicine that stops human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from growing in your body.

Fosamprenavir is used to treat HIV, the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fosamprenavir is for adults and children who are at least 4 weeks old. fosamprenavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Fosamprenavir may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

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) before measuring a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Fosamprenavir doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose may need to change if they gain or lose weight.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV 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 let it freeze.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact with each other, and some drugs should not be used together.

You should not use fosamprenavir if you are allergic to it.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with fosamprenavir. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• alfuzosin;
• delavirdine;
• rifampin;
• St. John's wort;
• sildenafil (Revatio) when used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH);
• antipsychotic medicine--lurasidone, pimozide;
• cholesterol-lowering medicine--lovastatin, simvastatin;
• ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine;
• heart rhythm medicine--flecainide, propafenone; or
• a sedative--oral midazolam or triazolam.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease, including hepatitis B or C;
• kidney disease;
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
• diabetes; or
• an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

Fosamprenavir can make birth control pills less effective. Taking fosamprenavir together with ritonavir and also using birth control pills can increase your risk of abnormal liver function tests. Ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

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 should not be given to an infant younger than 4 weeks (28 days) old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop taking fosamprenavir and call your doctor right away if you have:

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• increased urination or extreme thirst; or
• high blood sugar— increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• symptoms of kidney stones—sudden and severe pain in your lower back or side, blood in your urine, pain or burning when you urinate.

Fosamprenavir affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection—fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects of fosamprenavir may include:

• fever or other signs of infection;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• rash;
• headache; 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.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Get your prescription refilled before you completely run out of medicine.

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

Using fosamprenavir will not stop your disease from spreading. 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.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the amount of other drugs in your blood, which may lead to more side effects or reduce how well the medications work.

Many drugs can affect fosamprenavir, and some should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.