Details

Saquinavir is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body. Saquinavir is used together with ritonavir to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To make sure saquinavir is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease liver disease (including hepatitis B or C) a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as haemophilia diabetes or high cholesterol or triglycerides. You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to saquinavir or if you have a serious heart condition called "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker) personal or family history of long QT syndrome severe liver disease or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.

Typical Uses

Saquinavir, used in combination with ritonavir and other HIV medications, is used 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. Saquinavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It must be given with ritonavir, another protease inhibitor, to increase ("boost") the levels of saquinavir. This helps saquinavir work better.

Side Effects

Common saquinavir side effects may include signs of a new infectionfever, 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. Saquinavir may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works.

Drug Interactions

• Saquinavir+acebutolol- Using saquinavir together with acebutolol is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, slow pulse, or irregular heartbeat during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone.
• Saquinavir+atazanavir- Using atazanavir together with saquinavir is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. In addition, atazanavir can increase the blood levels and effects of saquinavir. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Saquinavir+budesonide- Saquinavir may significantly increase the absorption of budesonide into the blood stream. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as swelling, weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, muscle weakness, depression, acne, thinning skin, stretch marks, easy bruising, bone density loss, cataracts, menstrual irregularities, excessive growth of facial or body hair, and abnormal distribution of body fat, especially in the face, neck, back, and waist.
• Saquinavir+ergotamine- Using ergotamine together with saquinavir is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of ergotamine, which in some cases can lead to excessive narrowing of blood vessels in the body. This can reduce blood flow to vi

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Mechanism of action

Saquinavir belongs to a class of medication called protease inhibitors. It prevents HIV from multiplying inside the body.

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