IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION  Prescribing Information

Indication and Usage: LEXIVA is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection. The PI-experienced–patient study was not large enough to reach a definitive conclusion that LEXIVA/ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir are clinically equivalent. Once-daily administration of LEXIVA plus ritonavir is not recommended for PI-experienced patients or any pediatric patients. LEXIVA does not cure HIV or prevent passing HIV to others.

Important Safety Information: You should not take LEXIVA if you have had an allergic reaction to LEXIVA or AGENERASE® (amprenavir). Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver or kidney problems, have diabetes or hemophilia, are allergic to sulfa medicines, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. CONTINUED BELOW

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HIV FAQs

HIV and AIDS first made headlines in the 1980s. Since then, there have been advances in treatment. Get the answers to your most common questions and the facts about treating HIV.

Click on a question below to get an explanation of the answer.

Spreading HIV

Can HIV be passed from one person to another through saliva? NO.

People with HIV do not have enough virus in their saliva (mouth fluid) to pass the infection to others. If you kiss someone who has HIV or drink from his or her glass, you will not be infected.

Can HIV pass through a latex condom? NO.

It is not true that HIV is so small it can get through a latex condom. When you use a condom the right way, it blocks sperm and HIV from getting inside someone else. See how to use a condom the right way.

If I'm HIV positive, do I need to use a condom for oral sex? YES.

HIV can be passed during oral sex. To be safe, you should wear a condom for all types of sex—oral, anal, or vaginal.

Curing and Avoiding HIV

Are homosexuals (gays) the only people who get HIV? NO.

HIV can infect all people—gay or straight, men or women, rich or poor. People of every race and religion can get HIV. You cannot tell by looking at someone if he or she has HIV.

HIV Treatment

I have just tested positive for HIV. Am I going to die soon? NO.

With treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

Are AIDS and HIV the same thing? NO.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person is said to have AIDS when their T-cell count is below 200 or they have one or more AIDS-related illnesses. But people can be HIV-positive (HIV+) and not develop AIDS. An HIV treatment plan can raise your T-cell count and keep your viral load down. Learn more about treating HIV.

Is it better to wait until I get sick to start taking HIV medicine? NO.

HIV slowly destroys your immune system. If you wait until you get sick, your immune system may not be able to recover. Most healthcare providers think you should start HIV medicine long before you feel sick. Find out about the different types of HIV medicines.

Will I have to take a lot of pills each day and worry about when and what I eat? MAYBE.

This depends on the medicines you take. With some new combinations, you may need to take only one or two pills each day. And there are often no rules about food.

If the medicines in my first combination stop working, does that mean other medicines won't work either? NO.

As long as you take your medicines the right way every day, your first combination of medicines will likely work well to control the virus. But if that combination stops working over time, there are other choices.

Do all HIV medicines make you feel sick and worse than you felt before you started? NO.

Many people start feeling better when they begin HIV medicines. Some people do not feel any medicine side effects. Other people do. Many common side effects go away after a few weeks. There are a number of things you can do to deal with side effects. Get tips for coping now. If side effects are really bad, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can help.

Does everyone taking HIV medicines get body changes, such as a shrunken faces or a "buffalo hump" on the back of their neck? NO.

Most people do not have these kinds of body changes. When faces, arms, and legs shrink, it is called wasting. Wasting can also happen to people with HIV who are not taking medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are worried about these problems.

Can natural, herbal remedies alone control HIV and help your immune system? NO.

To control the virus, you must take your HIV medicines. But there are herbs and vitamins you can take along with your HIV medicine. Just be sure to let your healthcare provider know which ones you want to take. There are some that can affect how your HIV medicines work.

If I don't have a lot of money or health insurance, can I still get the HIV medicines I need? YES.

The cost of treating HIV medication can be high, but you can get help. From insurance programs to public assistance, there are ways to get help paying for your medicines. Learn how you can get assistance in paying for your HIV medicines.

About Lexiva

*Individual experiences may vary. By prescription only.
Talk to your doctor to see if LEXIVA is right for you.
 Please see the full Prescribing Information for LEXIVA

HIV Discussion Questions
Switching to LEXIVA
Read HIV Facts

Important Safety Information

LEXIVA is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection.

  • The PI-experienced–patient study was not large enough to reach a definitive conclusion that LEXIVA/ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir are clinically equivalent
  • Once-daily administration of LEXIVA plus ritonavir is not recommended for PI-experienced patients or any pediatric patients

LEXIVA does not cure HIV or prevent passing HIV to others.

Important Safety Information

  • You should not take LEXIVA if you have had an allergic reaction to LEXIVA or AGENERASE® (amprenavir).
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver or kidney problems, have diabetes or hemophilia, are allergic to sulfa medicines, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • High blood sugar, diabetes or worsening of diabetes, and bleeding in hemophiliacs have occurred in some patients taking protease inhibitors.
  • When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger and could begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes virus, or tuberculosis. If you have new symptoms after starting your HIV medicines, be sure to tell your doctor.
  • Changes in body fat may occur in some patients taking antiretroviral therapy. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.
  • Skin rashes can occur in patients taking LEXIVA.
  • Opportunistic infections can develop when you have HIV and your immune system is weak. It is very important that you see your healthcare provider regularly while you are taking LEXIVA to discuss any side effects or concerns.
  • Kidney stones have been reported in patients taking LEXIVA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have pain in your side, blood in your urine, or pain when you urinate.
  • Missing or skipping doses of your medicine may make it easier for the virus to mutate and multiply. Your medicines may not work as well against a mutated virus, and you may become cross-resistant to other HIV medicines. It’s important to take your medicine exactly as prescribed.

Most Common Side Effects

  • Most common side effects in clinical studies were diarrhea, headache, nausea, rash, and vomiting. In most cases, these side effects did not cause people to stop taking their medicine.

Drug Interactions

  • LEXIVA should not be taken with: AGENERASE® (amprenavir), Halcion® (triazolam), ergot medications (Cafergot®, Migranal®, D.H.E. 45®, and others), Propulsid® (cisapride), Versed® (midazolam), Orap® (pimozide), Zocor® (simvastatin), Mevacor® (lovastatin), Rifadin® (rifampin), Rescriptor® (delavirdine mesylate), Revatio® (sildenafil), Uroxatral® (alfuzosin), or St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). If you are taking Norvir® (ritonavir), you should not take Tambocor® (flecainide) or Rythmol® (propafenone hydrochloride).
  • Serious and/or life-threatening events could occur between LEXIVA and other medications, including Cordarone® (amiodarone), lidocaine (intravenous only), Elavil® (amitriptyline HCl), and Tofranil® (imipramine pamoate), tricyclic antidepressants, Advair® (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol) and Serevent® (salmeterol), and Quinaglute® (quinidine).
  • Women who use birth control pills should choose a different kind of birth control. The use of LEXIVA with Norvir (ritonavir) in combination with birth control pills may hurt your liver. Also, birth control pills may not work if you take LEXIVA or LEXIVA with Norvir. Talk to your healthcare provider about choosing the right birth control for you.
  • Patients taking Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) or LEVITRA® (vardenafil HCl) with LEXIVA may be at increased risk of side effects.
  • This list of drug interactions is not complete. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking or plan to take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbals.