What Are The Dangers Of Invirase

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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....

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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 the...

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... Read more »

Invirase and Body Aches

I have been hiv+ for two years and I have recently switched from Fortavse to Invirase. Since the switch I have noticed that I have severe muscle aches and leg cramps. Sometimes I hurt so bad that I can barely get up and to bend down and pick up...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

You don't mention what other HIV/non-HIV medications you are taking. Is there any evidence for muscle inflammation (blood test)? I assume your electrolytes (salt balance) are OK? Your HIV doc can evaluate whether the problem is muscle or... Read more »

Invirase-Fortovase

Dear Doctor,I have been on medications since 1999, July - Invirase 600 mg three times daily, Combivir twice daily. My viral load is below 50 copies. Soon I am going to switch to Fortovase. How am I supposed to take Fortovase? Is to take Fortovase...

Response from Brian Boyle, M.D., J.D.

Cornell University, Weill Medical College

Taking Fortovase as 1200mg thrice daily, 1600mg twice daily or 1000mg twice daily with 100mg Norvir (ritonavir) are roughly equivalent in success rates. I would prefer to start you on one of the twice daily regimens for simplicity and ease of... 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 »

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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 »

DENIALISTS - A DANGEROUS GAME

Posted by Survivor, 3 Replies

Sally, wana play?

Table for one please.. As far out of sight the better.... Read more »

a dangerous touch

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

To be short, a sex worker touch me on my neck. My neck was shaved half an hour ago when I had my hair cut.

If the sex worker had just finished her job for a client and her hand was contaminated with the man's semen, and the sex worker dose not clean... Read more »

HeteroSex is DANGEROUS!

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

For all those who continually say heterosex is not as dangerous for a man.. Here is a posting from JAMA HIV/AIDS

The rate of male-to-female transmission was not significantly different from the rate of female-to-male transmission (12.0 per 100... Read more »

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