Viracept (Nelfinavir Mesylate) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Viracept

HIV and AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs, Treatments and Medications »

Entry Inhibitors (including Fusion Inhibitors) and CCR5 Co-receptor Antagonist

Entry Inhibitors
Entry inhibitors block HIV entry into CD4+ cells.

Fusion inhibitors
The only drug in this class is T-20, which is administered as a twice daily subcutaneous injection. The most common side effect is redness and pain at the site of injection. Rarely, infection can occur at the injection site. There also are reports of generalized allergic reactions.

CCR5 antagonist
Although there were some early concerns of liver inflammation for drugs in this class, MVC appeared to be well tolerated in clinical trials without any specific toxicities attributable to the drug. However, it is a new drug in a new class and the first to actually target the cell. For these reasons, longer follow-up from clinical trials and those followed in the clinic will be very important for assessing the overall safety of the...

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VIRACEPT®
(nelfinavir mesylate) Tablets and Oral Powder

DRUG DESCRIPTION

VIRACEPT® (nelfinavir mesylate) is an inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease. VIRACEPT (nelfinavir mesylate) Tablets are available for oral administration as a light blue, capsule-shaped tablet with a clear film coating in 250 mg strength (as nelfinavir free base) and as a white oval tablet with a clear film coating in 625 mg strength (as nelfinavir free base). Each tablet contains the following common inactive ingredients: calcium silicate, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, and triacetin. In addition, the 250 mg tablet contains FD&C blue #2 powder and the 625 mg tablet contains colloidal silicon dioxide. VIRACEPT (nelfinavir mesylate) Oral Powder is available for oral administration in a 50 mg/g strength (as nelfinavir free base) in bottles. The oral powder also contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, dibasic potassium phosphate, crospovidone, hypromellose, aspartame, sucrose palmitate, and natural and artificial flavor. The chemical name for nelfinavir mesylate is [3S[2(2S*, 3S*), 3α,4aβ,8aγ]]-N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)decahydro-2-[2-hydroxy-3-[(3-hydroxy2-methylbenzoyl)amino]-4-(phenylthio)butyl]-3-isoquinoline carboxamide monomethanesulfonate (salt) and the molecular weight is 663.90 (567.79 as the free base). Nelfinavir mesylate has the following structural formula:

VIRACEPT® (nelfinavir mesylate) Structural Formula Illustration

Nelfinavir mesylate is a white to off-white amorphous powder, slightly soluble in water at pH ≤ 4 and freely soluble in methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and propylene glycol.

What are the possible side effects of nelfinavir (Viracept)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking nelfinavir and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

increased urination or extreme thirst;
easy bruising or bleeding; or
signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Viracept »

What are the precautions when taking nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept)?

Before taking nelfinavir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, heart problems (coronary artery disease, heart attack), lipid problems (high cholesterol or triglycerides/fats), hemophilia, liver problems.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially diarrhea or rash.

Tell...

Read All Potential Precautions of Viracept »

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/28/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.