have liver problems or are infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. These patients may have worsening of their liver disease.
are allergic to sulfa medicines.
have diabetes. APTIVUS may worsen diabetes or high blood sugar levels.
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if APTIVUS can harm your unborn baby. You and your healthcare professional will need to decide if APTIVUS is right for you. If you take APTIVUS while you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare professional about how you can be in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry.
are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed if you are taking APTIVUS. You should not breast-feed if you have HIV because of the chance of passing the HIV virus to your baby. Talk with your healthcare professional about the best way to feed your baby.
are using estrogens for birth control or hormone replacement. Women who use estrogens for birth control or hormone replacement have an increased chance of developing a skin rash while taking APTIVUS. If a rash occurs, it is usually mild to moderate, but you should talk to your healthcare professional as you may need to temporarily stop taking either APTIVUS or the other medicine that contains estrogen or female hormones.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. APTIVUS and many other medicines can interact. Sometimes serious side effects will happen if APTIVUS is taken with certain other medicines (see “Who should not take APTIVUS?”).
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Some medicines cannot be taken at all with APTIVUS.
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Some medicines will require a change in dosage if taken with APTIVUS.
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Some medicines will require close monitoring if taken with APTIVUS.
Do not take Flonase®, Viagra®, Cialis®, or Levitra® with APTIVUS/ritonavir without first speaking with your healthcare professional.
Women taking birth control pills need to use another birth control method. APTIVUS makes birth control pills work less well.
If you are taking APTIVUS oral solution, which contains vitamin E, you should not take additional vitamin E other than that contained in a standard multivitamin.
Know all the medicines you take and keep a list of them with you. Show this list to all your healthcare professionals and pharmacists anytime you get a new medicine you take. They will tell you if you can take these other medicines with APTIVUS. Do not start any new medicines while you are taking APTIVUS without first talking with your healthcare professional or pharmacist. You can ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist for a list of medicines that can interact with APTIVUS.
How should I take APTIVUS?
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Take APTIVUS exactly as your healthcare professional has prescribed. You should check with your healthcare professional or pharmacist if you are not sure. You must take APTIVUS at the same time as NORVIR® (ritonavir). The adult dose is 500 mg (two 250 mg capsules) of APTIVUS, together with 200 mg (two 100 mg capsules/tablets or 2.5 mL of solution) of NORVIR, twice per day. APTIVUS with NORVIR must be used together with other anti-HIV medicines.
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APTIVUS taken with ritonavir capsules or solution can be taken with or without meals
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APTIVUS taken with ritonavir tablets must only be taken with meals
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Children 2 years of age or older can also take APTIVUS with ritonavir. The child&rs
