Drug
Tipranavir
Pronounced
"tie-PRAN-ah-veer"
Uses
This drug must be 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.
Tipranavir 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 tipranavir. This helps tipranavir work better.
Tipranavir is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Warning
Tipranavir must be given with ritonavir to work effectively. When these two drugs are combined, there have been rare (sometimes fatal) cases of severe liver problems. Your doctor will monitor you closely and perform simple blood tests while you use this medication, especially if you also have infections that affect the liver (chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C).
Patients being treated with tipranavir and ritonavir may rarely have a serious (sometimes fatal) bleeding problem in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage). This effect may be due to other drugs you are taking or conditions you may have, so do not stop taking tipranavir and ritonavir without consulting your doctor.
Get medical help right away if you develop severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, or mental/mood changes.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using tipranavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew.
Tipranavir must be taken at the same times as ritonavir, another protease inhibitor. Take these medications with meals since ritonavir is usually taken with meals.
It is very important to keep taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses.
For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same times every day.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (develop resistance), or worsen side effects.