Abstract

AIDS: The FDA has approved amprenavir (Agenerase), the fifth protease inhibitor (PI) to be approved and the first PI approved in 2 years. When used in triple combination therapy, amprenavir is effective in viral suppression in treatment-naive patients and some patients who have taken NRTIs and NNRTIs. The drug has also been shown to be effective in about half of the patients who are resistant to other PIs. The standard dose for amprenavir is eight large capsules taken twice a day. Levels of amprenavir may be affected by the concurrent use with efavirenz (Sustiva). Common side effects of amprenavir include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and numbness and tingling around the mouth.