Tipranavir (By mouth)

Introduction:

Tipranavir (tye-PRAN-a-vir)

Treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Tipranavir does not cure HIV or AIDS. It will be used with another drug called ritonavir (Norvir®) to slow the progress of the disease.

Brand Name(s):

Aptivus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid Filled Capsule, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Tipranavir is used with ritonavir (Norvir®) to treat HIV infection. Always take these two medicines together at the same time, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day. This will make your medicines work better.
• Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• When you first bring this medicine home, store the capsules in the refrigerator until you are ready to open the bottle. Once you have opened the medicine bottle, you may store it at room temperature, away from heat, light, or moisture. The medicine is good for up to 60 days after you open the bottle. After 60 days, throw away any unused capsules and get a new bottle of your medicine.
• Store the oral solution at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze. The solution must be used within 60 days after first opening the bottle.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), fluticasone (Advair®), medicine to treat impotence (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, Levitra®, or Viagra®), medicine to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, Lipitor®, or Crestor®), medicine to treat seizure (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid, Tegretol®, or Luminal®), or diabetes medicine (such as glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, pioglitazone, repaglinide, tolbutamide, Avandia®, Glucophage®, or Diabeta®).
• Tell your doctor if you are also taking other medicines to treat HIV or AIDS (such as abacavir, atazanavir, didanosine, fosamprenavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, zidovudine, Combivir®, or Trizivir®), medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®), medicine to treat depression (such as desipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, Prozac®, or Zoloft®), blood pressure medicines (such as diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, verapamil, Adalat®, Cardil®, or Plendil®), a strong pain medicine (such as meperidine, methadone, or Demerol®), clarithromycin (Biaxin®), rifabutin (Mycobutin®), disulfiram (Antabuse®), metronidazole (Flagyl®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), cyclosporine, sirolimus (Rapamune®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or vitamin E supplements.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you also use hormone replacements or birth control pills containing estrogen, such as ethinyl estradiol. Birth control pills may not work while you are using tipranavir. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control along with your birth control pills. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), diabetes, high blood cholesterol, or herpes. Your doctor should know if you think you have been exposed to chickenpox while you are using this medicine. Make sure your doctor knows if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, such as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, Bactrim®, Septra®, or Sulfatrim®.
• This medicine may cause bleeding in the brain. Make sure your doctor knows if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, or any medical condition that increases your chance of bleeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any unusual or unexplained bleeding.
• When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger. If you have certain infections that are hidden in your body, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, you may notice new symptoms when your body tries to fight them. If this occurs, tell your doctor right away.
• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.
• You should not breast feed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.
• Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; itching; joint or muscle pain; rash; red skin lesions; sore throat; or sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips.
• This medicine may cause you to have excess body fat. Tell your doctor if you notice changes in your body shape, such as an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck, or around the chest and stomach area; or a loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst and hunger.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, bloating, gas, or upset stomach.
• Gaining weight around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist.
• Headache, dizziness, or tiredness.
• Mild skin rash or itching, with joint pain or stiffness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: