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). You should not take LEXIVA with: AGENERASE® (amprenavir), Halcion® (triazolam), ergot medications (Cafergot®, Migranal®, D.H.E. 45®, and others), Propulsid® (cisapride), CONTINUED BELOW

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Benefits & Risks of LEXIVA

LEXIVA is a protease inhibitor that treats HIV. LEXIVA has risks and benefits. Knowing more about both can help you plan your treatment with your doctor and your support team.

Benefits of LEXIVA

While taking LEXIVA you might be able to:

Eat and Drink

With LEXIVA, you can eat and drink whenever you like

Use Heartburn Drugs

Take some common antacids or heartburn medications without changing how LEXIVA works†

Reduce Chance of Diarrhea

People on LEXIVA have a lower chance of diarrhea compared with nelfinavir‡

Have No Yellowing Effects

No associated yellowing of your skin or eyes

Lower Viral Loads

LEXIVA may help lower the amount of HIV in your blood

Help Raise T-cell Counts

With less HIV, the body's immune system can work better and make more T-cells

†

LEXIVA without ritonavir may be less effective because of decreased amprenavir plasma concentrations in patients taking H2-receptor antagonists at the same time. No dose adjustment required with proton pump inhibitors when administered at the same time as LEXIVA.

‡

In a study versus nelfinavir, serious diarrhea was experienced by 1 in 20 patients taking unboosted LEXIVA versus 4 in 20 patients taking nelfinavir.

LEXIVA and HIV Resistance

If HIV becomes resistant to a certain medicine, it means that the virus has changed itself. The medicine can no longer fight it. This is a reason to change treatments. If you're taking LEXIVA, here's some comforting news: This kind of resistance has not happened often during studies of people taking LEXIVA.

Coping with Side Effects

Coping with side effects is part of your treatment, too. Your healthcare provider can help. Be sure to let your doctor know what side effects you're having. For more ways to talk to your healthcare professional, see the Doctor Discussion Guide.

Next Page: GETTING ON LEXIVA

With the exception of LEXIVA, the products mentioned on this page are not trademarks of ViiV Healthcare.
The makers of these brands are not affiliated with and do not endorse ViiV Healthcare.

*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.

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INDICATION AND 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

  • The 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.
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