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Saquinavir mesylate Invirase 500mg Pill Saquinavir 0245
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sack-KWIN-uh-vihr MEH-sih-LATE   Audio

Brand Name: Invirase  Audio
Drug Class: Protease Inhibitors
Saquinavir mesylate, also known as Invirase, and saquinavir, formerly marketed in the United States as Fortovase, belong to the class of medicines called protease inhibitors (PIs). PIs act by blocking protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.

HIV/AIDS-Related Uses
Saquinavir mesylate was approved by the FDA on December 6, 1995, and saquinavir was approved by the FDA on November 7, 1997. Both are approved for use with other antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection.
Although the two drugs are very similar, saquinavir mesylate offers key advantages over saquinavir, including fewer pills to take each day and smaller pill size. Because of the decreased demand for saquinavir, the manufacturer discontinued this formulation on February 15, 2006; saquinavir mesylate will continue to be available as the preferred formulation. If you are currently taking saquinavir, talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options.
These medicines do not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS and do not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.

Dosage Form/Administration
Saquinavir mesylate comes in tablets and hard gelatin capsules. Saquinavir comes in liquid-filled soft gelatin capsules. Both forms are taken by mouth and should be taken with a meal or within 2 hours after a meal.
On December 29, 2003, the FDA announced that saquinavir mesylate should always be taken with ritonavir, another PI.

Recommended Daily Dose
The recommended dose of saquinavir mesylate is 1,000 mg (taken as either two 500-mg tablets or five 200-mg capsules) given along with 100 mg of ritonavir two times a day. The recommended dose of saquinavir is 1,200 mg (taken as six 200-mg capsules) three times a day or 1,000 mg (taken as five 200-mg capsules) given along with 100 mg of ritonavir two times a day. Saquinavir and saquinavir mesylate cannot be used interchangeably.
Some patients may benefit from different doses of saquinavir mesylate. Patients should always take saquinavir mesylate as prescribed by their doctors.

Contraindications
Patients should tell a doctor about any medical problems before taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects
Along with its desired effects, saquinavir mesylate can cause some serious unwanted effects, including changes in body fat, increased bleeding in patients with hemophilia, high sugar levels in the blood, and onset or worsening of diabetes. Individuals should tell a doctor if they have any of these side effects.
Other side effects may not be serious and may lessen or disappear with continued use of the medicine. Less serious side effects of this medicine include anxiety; change in sense of taste; constipation; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; eczema; gas; generalized muscle pain or weakness; headache; mouth sores; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; trouble sleeping; numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands or feet; rash; unusual tiredness; and warts. Individuals should tell a doctor if these side effects continue or are bothersome.

Drug and Food Interactions
A doctor should be notified of any other medications being taken, including prescription, nonprescription (over-the-counter), or herbal medications.

Clinical Trials
Click here to search ClinicalTrials.gov for trials that use Saquinavir mesylate.

Manufacturer Information
Saquinavir mesylate
  Roche Laboratories
  340 Kingsland Street
  Nutley,  NJ  07110
  (973) 235-5000
    

Invirase
  Roche Laboratories
  340 Kingsland Street
  Nutley,  NJ  07110
  (973) 235-5000
    
Updated September 10, 2007