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Fosamprenavir

Pronounced

"fos-am-PREN-uh-veer"

Common brand names:

Telzir

Uses

This drug 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.

Fosamprenavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It may be given with ritonavir, another protease inhibitor, to increase ("boost") the levels of fosamprenavir. This helps fosamprenavir work better.

Fosamprenavir 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.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This product may also be used to lessen the risk of HIV infection after contact with the virus (for example, due to a needle stick). Ask your doctor for more details.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking fosamprenavir 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 once or twice daily.

Fosamprenavir tablets may be taken with or without food.

If you are taking fosamprenavir suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Adults should take the suspension without food. Children should take the suspension with food. If vomiting occurs less than 30 minutes after taking a dose, repeat the dose.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, other medications you may be taking, and if you have taken protease inhibitors to treat HIV before. Children's dosage is also based on age and weight. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you are directed to take ritonavir with this medication, take them both at the same time(s).

For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.

It is very important to keep taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. 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. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.