Saquinavir for HIV
Name: Saquinavir for HIV
Can saquinavir cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with saquinavir. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
| Very common saquinavir side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people) | What can I do if I experience this? |
| Changes to some blood tests | Your doctor will check for this |
| Feeling sick | Stick to simple meals - avoid fatty or spicy food. If it continues, speak with your doctor |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water |
| Common saquinavir side-effects (these affect less than 1 in 10 people) | What can I do if I experience this? |
| Stomach upset, indigestion, wind, tummy (abdominal) pain | Stick to simple meals - avoid fatty or spicy food |
| Constipation | Drink plenty of water |
| Feeling dizzy, tired or weak | Do not drive and do not use tools or machines while affected |
| Headache | Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable painkiller |
| Increased appetite, dry mouth, sleep disturbances, reduced interest in sex, tingling feelings, change in the way things taste, feeling short of breath, dry skin, itchy skin rash, hair thinning, muscle cramps or aches | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor |
Important: some people taking saquinavir have developed an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will monitor you for any changes, but if you feel faint, or if you feel your heart is beating faster or more irregularly than normal, you should let your doctor know straightaway.
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.