CLINICAL USE


Protease inhibitor:Treatment of HIV infection in combination with other antiviral drugs

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

With low dose ritonavir: 1 g twice daily

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :670.8
  • %Protein binding &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :98
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine &nbsp &nbsp : <4
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg) &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :10
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :13.2

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50 &nbsp &nbsp : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20 &nbsp &nbsp : Dose as in normal renal function
  • <10 &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp : Dose as in normal renal function

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp:Unlikely to be dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function

  • HD &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :Unlikely to be dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HDF/high flux &nbsp :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • CAV/VVHD &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp:Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
  • Antibacterials: rifampicin and rifabutin can reduce saquinavir levels by 80% and 40% respectively (metabolism accelerated); increased hepatoxicity with rifampicin; concentration possibly increased by quinupristin/dalfopristin; avoid with telithromycin in severe renal and hepatic failure
  • Antidepressants: concentration reduced by St John’s wort – avoid
  • Anti-epileptics: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone and phenytoin can reduce saquinavir levels
  • Antimalarials: avoid concomitant use with artemether/lumefantrine
  • Antipsychotics: possibly increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with pimozide and sertindole – avoid concomitant use; possibly inhibits aripiprazole metabolism – reduce aripiprazole dose
  • Antivirals: tipranavir and efavirenz can reduce saquinavir levels; nelfinavir can cause an increase in levels of both nelfinavir and saquinavir; concentration increased by atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir and ritonavir; reduced darunavir concentration
    Anxiolytics and hypnotics: midazolam plasma concentration possibly increased (prolonged sedation) – avoid
  • Ciclosporin: concentration of both drugs increasedCilostazol: concentration of cilostazol possibly increased – avoid concomitant use
  • Ergot alkaloids: risk of ergotism – avoid Lipid-lowering drugs: increased risk of myopathy with simvastatin – avoid; possibly increased myopathy with atorvastatin
    Omeprazole: AUC of saquinavir increased by 82% (increased risk of toxicity)
  • Tacrolimus: possibly increased tacrolimus concentration – may need to reduce dose

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    Oral

    Rate of Administration

    Comments

    Administer within 2 hours after meal

    OTHER INFORMATION