Saquinavir is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of drugs called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Saquinavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Saquinavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Saquinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Saquinavir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Saquinavir must be taken together with another medication called ritonavir (Norvir).

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to saquinavir or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

Before you take saquinavir, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, diabetes; hemophilia, or high cholesterol.

There are many other drugs that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with saquinavir. Do not take saquinavir with: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), cisapride (Propulsid), flecainide (Tambocor), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), midazolam (Versed), pimozide (Orap), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate), simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Ergotrate, Migranal, or Methergine.

Many other drugs can interact with saquinavir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to saquinavir or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

Do not take saquinavir with any of the following medications. They can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking saquinavir:

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• flecainide (Tambocor);

• lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor) o simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);

• midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion);

• pimozide (Orap);

• propafenone (Rythmol);

• quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute);

• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);

• an ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a saquinavir dose adjustment or special tests:

• liver disease;

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, or a history of "Long QT syndrome";

• diabetes;

• hemophilia; or

• high cholesterol or triglycerides.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

Saquinavir can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking saquinavir.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 16 years old without the advice of a doctor.