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Amprenavir
am-PREN-a-veer   Audio

Brand Name: Agenerase  Audio
Drug Class: Protease Inhibitors
Amprenavir, also known as Agenerase, is a type of medicine called a protease inhibitor (PI). PIs act by blocking protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.

HIV/AIDS-Related Uses
Amprenavir was approved by the FDA on April 15, 1999, for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. This medicine does not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.
On October 20, 2003, the FDA approved fosamprenavir (Lexiva), a prodrug of amprenavir. The body changes fosamprenavir into amprenavir. Because the body uses fosamprenavir more efficiently than amprenavir, individuals can take fewer pills and still achieve the same results as with amprenavir.
In October 2007, the manufacturer stopped production of amprenavir for use in the United States, because fosamprenavir, a related drug, was approved for use as an oral solution and in children or in patients with liver problems. Amprenavir may still be available outside of the United States.

Dosage Form/Administration
Amprenavir comes in soft gel capsule and oral solution forms and is taken by mouth. Both may be taken with or without food but should not be taken with high-fat foods. Because both forms contain vitamin E, individuals who are taking either form of amprenavir should not take vitamin E supplements. Individuals who are taking the oral solution form should not drink alcohol.

Recommended Daily Dose
The recommended dose of amprenavir for adults is 1,200 mg (twenty-four 50-mg capsules) twice a day. When given with ritonavir, the recommended dosages are amprenavir 1,200 mg with ritonavir 200 mg once a day or amprenavir 600 mg with ritonavir 100 mg twice a day. For adolescents aged 13 to 16 years, the recommended dose of amprenavir is 1,200 mg (twenty-four 50-mg capsules) twice a day. For children aged 4 to 12 years or for adolescents aged 13 to 16 years who weigh less than 110 lbs, the recommended dose depends on the individual's weight and should not exceed a daily dose of 2,400 mg.
The recommended dose of amprenavir may be different for individuals taking amprenavir oral solution. Some individuals may benefit from different doses of amprenavir. Individuals should always take amprenavir as prescribed by their doctors.

Contraindications
Individuals should tell a doctor about any medical problems before taking this medicine. Children under 4 years old, pregnant women, individuals with kidney or liver failure, or individuals being treated with the drugs disulfiram or metronidazole should not take the oral solution form of amprenavir.

Possible Side Effects
Along with its desired effects, amprenavir can cause some serious unwanted effects, including severe rash. Other serious side effects that should be reported to a doctor include changes in body fat, high cholesterol, increased bleeding in individuals 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 depression, diarrhea, mild skin rash, nausea, numbness of the hands or feet, numbness of the mouth or lips, stomach pain, unusual sense of taste, unusual tiredness, and vomiting. 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 Amprenavir.

Manufacturer Information
Amprenavir
  GlaxoSmithKline
  5 Moore Drive
  Research Triangle Park,  NC  27709
  (888) 825-5249
    

Amprenavir
  Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc
  130 Waverly Street
  Cambridge,  MA  02139-4242
  (617) 577-6000
    

Agenerase
  GlaxoSmithKline
  5 Moore Drive
  Research Triangle Park,  NC  27709
  (888) 825-5249
    
Updated December 16, 2008