Home Drug Guide Amprenavir

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Amprenavir

Brand Names Agenerase

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiviral, Anti-HIV agent

Pharmacological: Protease inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents

Mechanism of Action

Amprenavir inhibits the HIV-1 protease enzyme, preventing cleavage of the Gag-Pol polyprotein into mature, functional proteins, thereby inhibiting viral maturation and replication.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 600 mg twice daily with food

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustment, but caution due to comorbidities and concomitant medications

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage adjustment required

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage adjustment, monitor hepatic function

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed; food increases absorption

Distribution: Widely distributed in tissues, crosses blood-brain barrier to a limited extent

Metabolism: Primarily via CYP3A4 enzymes

Excretion: Renal and fecal excretion of metabolites

Half Life: 5-6 hours

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to amprenavir or any component of the formulation

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with sulfonamide allergy, hepatic impairment, or concomitant use with drugs that are CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Monitor for liver toxicity and rash.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (20-30%)
  • Diarrhea (15-20%)
  • Rash (10-20%)
  • Headache (10-15%)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe rash including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (Rare)
  • Hepatotoxicity (Rare)
  • QT prolongation (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Ritonavir (increases amprenavir levels)
  • Midazolam, Triazolam (CYP3A4 substrates)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Grapefruit juice (may increase levels)

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor viral load, CD4 counts, liver function tests, and for signs of rash or hypersensitivity.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection due to immunosuppression
  • Risk for drug toxicity

Implementation: Administer with food, monitor for adverse effects, reinforce adherence.

Evaluation: Assess viral load response, monitor for adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication with food to enhance absorption.
  • Report rash, fever, jaundice, or other signs of liver toxicity.
  • Maintain adherence to minimize resistance.
  • Avoid grapefruit juice and other CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers without medical advice.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Severe rash including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and hypersensitivity reactions.

Genetic Factors: Testing for HLA-B*5701 recommended before initiating therapy to assess for potential hypersensitivity.

Lab Test Interference: May affect liver function tests and lipid panels.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hypotension, possible hepatic dysfunction.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Rapid absorption suggests vomiting or gastric lavage may be considered if ingestion is recent.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Protect from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the duration of the expiration date.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.