What is Agenerase?
Agenerase is an HIV protease inhibitor. It works by blocking the action of HIV protease, an enzyme needed for the virus to mature and multiply. This prevents the virus from multiplying, which can decrease the amount of HIV in your body and make it easier for your immune system to fight off other infections.
Agenerase is used together with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Health Benefits of Agenerase
Agenerase may help to:
– Decrease the amount of HIV in your body
– Boost your immune system
– Fight off other infections
Agenerase belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of HIV protease, an enzyme needed for the virus to mature and multiply. This prevents the virus from multiplying, which can decrease the amount of HIV in your body and make it easier for your immune system to fight off other infections.
Agenerase is used together with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Side Effects of Agenerase
Side effects of Agenerase may include:
– Headache
– Nausea
– Diarrhea
– Fatigue
– Dizziness
If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately:
– Shortness of breath
– Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
– Yellowing of the skin or eyes
contact your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
Interactions with Agenerase
Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you’re taking, especially:
– Saquinavir (Invirase)
– Tipranavir (Aptivus)
– Ritonavir (Norvir)
Do not start or stop taking any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Agenerase and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Agenerase should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
Agenerase and Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed if you are taking Agenerase. HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
Dosage of Agenerase
– General Adult Dose for HIV Infection: 250 mg every 8 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours
– Dose for Patients Weighing Less Than 40 kg: 15 mg/kg every 8 hours or 20 mg/kg every 12 hours
Take Agenerase exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of Agenerase and gradually increase your dose to reduce the chance of side effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea.
Agenerase can be taken with or without food. Try to take Agenerase at the same time each day.
Mechanism of Action of Agenerase
Agenerase belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of HIV protease, an enzyme needed for the virus to mature and multiply. This prevents the virus from multiplying, which can decrease the amount of HIV in your body and make it easier for your immune system to fight off other infections.
Agenerase is used together with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Pharmacokinetics of Agenerase
– Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
– Peak plasma concentration: Reached within 1 to 2 hours
– Distribution: Distributed throughout the body, including the brain and cerebrospinal fluid
– Metabolism: Hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4 enzymes
– Excretion: Mostly excreted in the feces (80%) as unchanged drug; small amounts excreted in the urine (5%)
Half-life of Agenerase
The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the body to eliminate half of the drug. Agenerase has a half-life of 3 to 5 hours.
Alternatives to Agenerase
Other drugs that are similar to Agenerase include:
– Atazanavir (Reyataz)
– Darunavir (Prezista)
– Fosamprenavir (Lexiva)
– Indinavir (Crixivan)
– Lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
– Nelfinavir (Viracept)
– Ritonavir (Norvir)
– Saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
These alternatives are not necessarily better or worse than Agenerase; they just have different ways of working. Talk to your doctor about other options if you feel that Agenerase is not working for you.
