How Long Does Invirase Take To Work

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Get the Facts

Saquinavir (Invirase)

What Is Saquinavir? Saquinavir, also called Invirase, is a drug used as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART). There used to be a version called Fortovase that is no longer made. Saquinavir is manufactured by Roche Laboratories. Saquinavir is a protease inhibitor. These drugs prevent the protease enzyme from working. HIV protease acts like a chemical scissor. It cuts the raw material for HIV into specific pieces needed to build a new virus....

Ask the Experts

Missed Morning Dose of Kaletra & Invirase

Hello,I apologize upfront for any duplications if this question has been asked before -?? In any case, in 1995, at age 36, I was diagnosed with HIV. My physician initially started me on AZT. Later, he changed to Viracept, Epivir and Zerit. I...

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Don't worry. Your single mishap is highly unlikely to have led to any change in resistance of the virus. If you continue to be as diligent as you have been about taking your meds, I suspect you will continue to do well.Further good news is that... Read more »

Invirase+

Hello!I have been on medications since 1999, July - Invirase 600 mg tree times daily and Combivir 1 tablet twice daily. My viral load is still below 50 copies, my CD4 cells above 500. My doctor suggests to add Norvir to my current combination in...

Response from Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.

University of Utah, School of Medicine

Valeria,Your doctor is right on both counts. Adding Norvir can give better saquinavir levels and easier dosing, AND we don't know the best dosing regimens. I am surprised you are on invirase alone. Invirase, the hard gel formulation of saquinavir... Read more »

Invirase-Fortovase

Dear Doctors,I have a question concerning my treatment.I have been on Invirase and Combivir since 1999, July. Fortunately my viral load is still below 50 copies. My doctor insists on switching to Fortovase as a better version of saquinavir. I am...

Response from Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.

University of Utah, School of Medicine

Maria,You definitely should not stay on Invirase, in my opinion. The drug levels of saquinavir are generally so low that resistance is common, and resistance to saquinavir is not a good thing to have. You have many choices. Since you did not mention... Read more »

Invirase+Norvir???

Dear Dr.Pavia, Thank you for that quick answer. Valeria is writting to you again. When i started ART in 1999 the only available drugs in my country (Bulgaria) were Retrovir, Epivir and Invirase, later Combivir. As my viral load was 120 000 and my...

Response from Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.

University of Utah, School of Medicine

Valeria, Thanks for your update on the situation in Bulgaria. I wonder about the politics that determine what drugs are available. You don't mention your viral load right now. If your viral load is undetectable, then adding norvir is a great idea,... Read more »

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Articles

New Ways To Keep the Virus In Check

Product: Company: The Protease Inhibitors: Saquinavir (Invirase) Hoffmann-la Roche Approved by the FDA last December for use in combination with standard AIDS drugs. Indinavir (Crixivan) Merck Reported to have caused an unprecedented... Read more »

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Connect With Others

anyone taking Isentress and Invirase combination?

Posted by nevereasy

Isentress is a relatively new therapy. My Dr just added it to my mono therapy of Invirase (boosted with Norvir). I have been undetectable for two years on the Invirase but my Tcells never get over 300. He added Isentress. I have had bad reflux ( not... Read more »

How long should I wait for testing to work?

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

My girlfriend watched a video in school saying that it could take ten years, while testing every five months, to determine if you have AID's. Is there any truth to that? How long should I wait for testing to work? Yikes! Tell her to tell her... Read more »

RE:how long meds work

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hi pals. I was wondering if anyone on the regimen: Viracept+Combivir has any idea how good this regimen is. I want to know what's the average period of time some of you have been on these meds for. I've been taking them for about 7 months and on... Read more »

How long does it take for meds to work?

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

After one month on HAAART my loved ones counts are, in comparison to 100000 viral load and cd of under 20, the viral load is now 325 and cd4 is 35. I've heard it takes 3-6 months to get the viral load undetectable and longer to get the cd4 back over... Read more »

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