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IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

TIPRANAVIR - ORAL

(tie-PRAN-ah-veer)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Aptivus

WARNING: Tipranavir must be given with ritonavir to work effectively. When these two drugs are combined, there have been rare (sometimes fatal) cases of severe liver problems. Your doctor will monitor you closely and perform simple blood tests while you use this medication, especially if you also have infections that affect the liver (chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C).

Tipranavir/ritonavir might cause a rare (sometimes fatal) bleeding problem in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage), although other drugs or conditions might be causing the bleeding instead.

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes, unusual bleeding or bruising, or mental/mood changes.

USES: Tipranavir must be used in combination with other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your ability to fight other infections and improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting complications of HIV disease (e.g., opportunistic infections, cancer). Tipranavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. To be effective, tipranavir must be given with another protease inhibitor, ritonavir.

Tipranavir is not a cure for HIV infection, and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing dirty needles).

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using tipranavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. If you are using the capsule form of this medication, swallow whole. Do not crush or chew. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

Tipranavir must be taken with ritonavir, another protease inhibitor. If tipranavir is not taken with ritonavir, your body will not keep enough of this drug in your blood to fight the HIV virus.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For children, dosage is also based on weight and body size.

It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other anti-HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Remember to use it at the same time(s) each day. Do not skip any doses.

Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (develop resistance), or worsen side effects.

If you are taking HIV medications for the first time, you may experience symptoms of an old infection as your immune system begins to work better. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any trouble breathing, fever, new cough, vision problems, headaches, or skin problems.