Saquinavir

Saquinavir is one of three drugs that is usually prescribed in an HIV “cocktail” to keep HIV from spreading through infected patients’ bodies and to keep HIV-related infections under control. This medication works by inhibiting the HIV virus’ ability to replicate. This stops the virus from spreading through the body, although it doesn’t stop it from infecting other people.

Side Effects/Warnings

Patients with high cholesterol should not take cholesterol-lowering drugs at the same time as they are taking Saquinavir. Saquinavir interacts negatively with statins, the type of drug often used to lower cholesterol. Taking these medications together can cause kidney damage that sometimes leads to fatal kidney failure.

This medication does not stop HIV from infecting other people, so patients should take precautions such as using condoms for sexual intercourse in order to reduce the risk of infecting partners with HIV.