Details

Nelfinavir is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body. Nelfinavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nelfinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. To make sure nelfinavir is safe for you tell your doctor if you have liver disease kidney disease diabetes a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or high cholesterol or triglycerides. Nelfinavir can make birth control pills less effective. Nelfinavir is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.

Typical Uses

Nelfinavir is used with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Nelfinavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.

Side Effects

Nelfinavir may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with nelfinavir. Inform your doctor if you have signs of a new infection, fever, night sweats, swollen glands, mouth sores, diarrhoea, stomach pain, weight loss chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly feeling, problems with balance or eye movement trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control or swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.

Drug Interactions

• Nelfinavir+amiodarone- Using amiodarone and nelfinavir is not recommended. Taking these drugs together can raise the levels of amiodarone in your body and may affect the rhythm of your heart. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Nelfinavir+brexpiprazole- Nelfinavir may increase the blood levels of brexpiprazole. This can make you more likely to develop side effects such as drowsiness, seizure, Parkinson-like symptoms, abnormal muscle movements, and low blood pressure. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Nelfinavir+dasatinib- Nelfinavir may significantly increase the blood levels of dasatinib. This can increase the risk of side effects that affect your bone marrow function, resulting in low numbers of different types of blood cells. You may be more likely to develop anaemia, bleeding problems, or infections due to low blood cell counts.
• Nelfinavir+lovastatin- Using lovastatin together with nelfinavir is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of lovastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.

Mechanism of action

Nelfinavir is an antiretroviral medication belonging to the class, protease inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the action of a viral enzyme called protease, which is essential for maturation of the HIV virus resulting in the production of immature, non-infectious virus and reducing the number of HIV causing virus in the body.

Pregnancy Category : B