Nelfinavir - Oral

Nelfinavir is used together with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection which can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

This medicine is not a cure for HIV infection. It only helps to keep the virus in check and can help improve the quality of life. It does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people.

Take Nelfinavir exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets, you may dissolve them in a small amount of water, stir well and drink the mixture right away. Rinse the glass with water and drink it to make sure you get the full dose. Alternatively, you can also crush the tablet, mix it with a small amount of soft food and take the mixture immediately. Avoid mixing it with sour or acidic foods or juices like orange juice, apple juice or applesauce because the mixture can taste bitter.

Take Nelfinavir at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Do not take Nelfinavir if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.

Do not take Nelfinavir with medicines used to treat prostate enlargement, irregular heartbeat, migraine (severe throbbing pain or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound), high cholesterol levels, mood disorders, TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis), high blood pressure in the lungs, sleep disorder or stomach problems, and with certain herbal medicine. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• diabetes
• bleeding disorder
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.

Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is best that you do not breastfeed as HIV passes into the breast milk. Avoid breastfeeding in order to reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. It is recommended to give your baby commercial infant formula provided that you have access to clean water and facilities.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Nelfinavir to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Nelfinavir is not a cure for HIV. It only helps to slow down the development of HIV infection.

This medicine does not reduce your risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual contact or contamination with infected blood. Ensure that you use proper precautions to avoid spreading HIV infection to others.

Both Nelfinavir and HIV may weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Avoid crowded places or those who are sick to minimise the risk of catching an infection. While undergoing treatment, you may develop other infections or experience other health problems. Always keep your doctor updated on your condition and go for your appointed check-ups.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. liver function, cholesterol levels, amount of HIV in a blood sample) while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.

Nelfinavir may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach wind, stomach pain, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, muscle or joint pain, back pain, itching and skin rash.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• changes in body fat e.g. bigger stomach, increased fat at the back of the neck, thinner arms, legs or face, enlarged breasts
• sore throat, fever, weakness, cough, shortness of breath
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• thirst, increased urination, confusion, rapid breathing, breath with fruity odour

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Nelfinavir with the following medicines:

• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone, quinidine
• medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
• cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, lovastatin
• medicines for mood disorders e.g. lurasidone, pimozide
• medicines for high blood pressure in the lungs e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil
• medicines for sleep disorder e.g. midazolam, triazolam
• alfuzosin (medicine for prostate enlargement)
• cisapride (medicine for stomach problems)
• rifampicin (medicine used to treat TB)
• St. John's wort (herbal medicine)

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other medicines for HIV infection e.g. nevirapine, zidovudine
• asthma medicines e.g. salmeterol, fluticasone
• certain antibiotics e.g. azithromycin
• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus
• medicines to treat depression e.g. trazodone
• strong pain killers e.g. methadone
• medicines for gout (high uric acid level in the blood) e.g. colchicine
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
• omeprazole (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Nelfinavir.

Alert your doctor if you are taking birth control pills or other types of hormonal birth control. You may need to add on another type of birth control.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.