INVIRASE^® (saquinavir mesylate) CAPSULES and TABLETS

INVIRASE brand of saquinavir mesylate is an inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease. INVIRASE is available as light brown and green, opaque hard gelatin capsules for oral administration in a 200-mg strength (as saquinavir free base). Each capsule also contains the inactive ingredients lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K30, sodium starch glycolate, talc, and magnesium stearate. Each capsule shell contains gelatin and water with the following dye systems: red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide, FD&C Blue #2, and titanium dioxide.

INVIRASE is also available as a light orange to greyish- or brownish-orange, oval cylindrical, biconvex film-coated tablet for oral administration in a 500-mg strength (as saquinavir free base). Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K30, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. Each film coat contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide, talc, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide red, and triacetin.

The chemical name for saquinavir mesylate is N-tert-butyl-decahydro-2-[2(R)-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3(S)-[[N-(2-quinolylcarbonyl)-L-asparaginyl]amino]butyl]-(4aS,8aS)-isoquinoline-3(S)-carboxamide methanesulfonate with a molecular formula C₃₈H₅₀N₆O₅•CH₄O₃S and a molecular weight of 766.96. The molecular weight of the free base is 670.86. Saquinavir mesylate has the following structural formula:

Saquinavir mesylate is a white to off-white, very fine powder with an aqueous solubility of 2.22 mg/mL at 25°C.

Saquinavir is an inhibitor of HIV protease. HIV protease is an enzyme required for the proteolytic cleavage of viral polyprotein precursors into individual functional proteins found in infectious HIV. Saquinavir is a peptide-like substrate analogue that binds to the protease active site and inhibits the activity of the enzyme. Saquinavir inhibition prevents cleavage of the viral polyproteins resulting in the formation of immature noninfectious virus particles.

HIV-1 mutants with reduced susceptibility to saquinavir have been selected during in vitro passage. Genotypic analyses of these isolates showed several substitutions in the HIV protease gene. Only the G48V and L90M substitutions were associated with reduced susceptibility to saquinavir, and conferred an increase in the IC₅₀ value of 8- and 3-fold, respectively.

HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility (≥4-fold increase in the IC₅₀ value) to saquinavir emerged in some patients treated with INVIRASE. Genotypic analysis of these isolates identified resistance conferring primary mutations in the protease gene G48V and L90M, and secondary mutations L10I/R/V, I54V/L, A71V/T, G73S, V77I, V82A and I84V that contributed additional resistance to saquinavir. Forty-one isolates from 37 patients failing therapy with INVIRASE had a median decrease in susceptibility to saquinavir of 4.3-fold.

The degree of reduction in in vitro susceptibility to saquinavir of clinical isolates bearing substitutions G48V and L90M depends on the number of secondary mutations present. In general, higher levels of resistance are associated with greater number of mutations only in association with either or both of the primary mutations G48V and L90M. No data are currently available to address the development of resistance in patients receiving saquinavir/ritonavir.

Among protease inhibitors, variable cross-resistance has been observed. In one clinical study, 22 HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility (>4-fold increase in the IC₅₀ value) to saquinavir following therapy with INVIRASE were evaluated for cross-resistance to amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir and ritonavir. Six of the 22 isolates (27%) remained susceptible to all 4 protease inhibitors, 12 of the 22 isolates (55%) retained susceptibility to at least one of the PIs and 4 out of the 22 isolates (18%) displayed broad cross-resistance to all PIs. Sixteen (73%) and 11 (50%) of the 22 isolates remained susceptible (<4-fold) to amprenavir and indinavir, respectively. Four of 16 (25%) and nine of 21 (43%) with available data remained susceptible to nelfinavir and ritonavir, respectively.

After treatment failure with amprenavir, cross-resistance to saquinavir was evaluated. HIV-1 isolates from 22/22 patients failing treatment with amprenavir and containing one or more mutations M46L/I, I50V, I54L, V32I, I47V, and I84V were susceptible to saquinavir.

The pharmacokinetic properties of INVIRASE have been evaluated in healthy volunteers (n=351) and HIV-infected patients (n=270) after single- and multiple-oral doses of 25, 75, 200, and 600 mg tid and in healthy volunteers after intravenous doses of 6, 12, 36 or 72 mg (n=21). The pharmacokinetics of INVIRASE/ritonavir 400/400 mg bid and INVIRASE/ritonavir 1000/100 mg bid have also been evaluated in HIV-infected patients.

HIV-infected patients administered INVIRASE (600-mg tid) had AUC and maximum plasma concentration (C_max) values approximately 2-2.5 times those observed in healthy volunteers receiving the same treatment regimen.

Similar bioavailability was demonstrated when INVIRASE 500 mg FCT (2 × 500 mg) and INVIRASE 200 mg capsule (5 × 200 mg) were administered with low-dose ritonavir (100 mg) under fed conditions. The ratio of mean exposures (90% confidence intervals) of tablets vs capsules were 1.10 (1.04-1.16) for AUC_0-∞ and 1.19 (1.14-1.25) for C_max.

INVIRASE in combination with ritonavir and other antiretroviral agents is indicated for the treatment of HIV infection. The twice daily administration of INVIRASE in combination with ritonavir is supported by safety data from the MaxCmin 1 study (see Table 7 ) and pharmacokinetic data (see Table 1 ). The efficacy of INVIRASE with ritonavir has not been compared against the efficacy of antiretroviral regimens currently considered standard of care.

In a randomized, double-blind clinical study (NV14256) in ZDV-experienced, HIV-infected patients, INVIRASE in combination with HIVID was shown to be superior to either INVIRASE or HIVID monotherapy in decreasing the cumulative incidence of clinical disease progression to AIDS-defining events or death. Furthermore, in a randomized study (ACTG229/NV14255), patients with advanced HIV infection with history of prolonged ZDV treatment and who were given INVIRASE 600 mg tid + ZDV + HIVID experienced greater increases in CD₄ cell counts as compared to those who received INVIRASE + ZDV or HIVID + ZDV. It should be noted that HIV treatment regimens that were used in these initial clinical studies of INVIRASE are no longer considered standard of care.

Saquinavir gel capsule 1000 mg bid coadministered with ritonavir 100 mg bid was studied in a heterogeneous population of 148 HIV-infected patients (MaxCmin 1 study). At baseline 42 were treatment naïve and 106 were treatment experienced (of which 52 had an HIV RNA level <400 copies/mL at baseline). Results showed that 91/148 (61%) subjects achieved and/or sustained an HIV RNA level <400 copies/mL at the completion of 48 weeks.

INVIRASE must be used in combination with ritonavir, which significantly inhibits saquinavir's metabolism and provides increased plasma saquinavir levels.

INVIRASE is contraindicated in patients with clinically significant hypersensitivity to saquinavir or to any of the components contained in the capsule or tablet.

INVIRASE/ritonavir should not be administered concurrently with terfenadine, cisapride, astemizole, pimozide, triazolam, midazolam or ergot derivatives. Inhibition of CYP3A4 by saquinavir and ritonavir could result in elevated plasma concentrations of these drugs, potentially causing serious or life-threatening reactions, such as cardiac arrhythmias or prolonged sedation (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).

INVIRASE/ritonavir should not be given together with rifampin, due to the risk of severe hepatocellular toxicity if the three drugs are given together (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions).

INVIRASE when administered with ritonavir is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

INVIRASE should not be administered concurrently with drugs uled in Table 4 (also see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions, Table 5 ).

ALERT: Find out about medicines that should not be taken with INVIRASE. This statement is included on the product's bottle label.

Concomitant use of INVIRASE with lovastatin or simvastatin is not recommended. Caution should be exercised if HIV protease inhibitors, including INVIRASE, are used concurrently with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are also metabolized by the CYP3A4 pathway (eg, atorvastatin). Since increased concentrations of statins can, in rare cases, cause severe adverse events such as myopathy including rhabdomyolysis, this risk may be increased when HIV protease inhibitors, including saquinavir, are used in combination with these drugs.

Rifampin should not be administered in patients taking ritonavir-boosted INVIRASE as part of an ART regimen due to the risk of severe hepatocellular toxicity observed in a drug-drug interaction study in healthy volunteers (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).

Concomitant use of INVIRASE and St. John's wort (hypericum perforatum) or products containing St. John's wort is not recommended. Coadministration of protease inhibitors, including INVIRASE, with St. John's wort is expected to substantially decrease protease-inhibitor concentrations and may result in sub-optimal levels of INVIRASE and lead to loss of virologic response and possible resistance to INVIRASE or to the class of protease inhibitors.

Caution should be exercised when INVIRASE and digoxin are coadministered; serum concentration of digoxin should be monitored and the dose of digoxin may need to be reduced (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).

No data are available for the coadministration of INVIRASE/ritonavir and garlic capsules (see Table 5 Drugs That Should Not Be Coadministered With INVIRASE/Ritonavir ).

A drug interaction study in healthy subjects has shown that ritonavir significantly increases plasma fluticasone propionate exposures, resulting in significantly decreased serum cortisol concentrations. Concomitant use of INVIRASE with ritonavir and fluticasone propionate is expected to produce the same effects. Systemic corticosteroid effects including Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression have been reported during postmarketing use in patients receiving ritonavir and inhaled or intranasally administered fluticasone propionate. Therefore, coadministration of fluticasone propionate and INVIRASE/ritonavir is not recommended unless the potential benefit to the patient outweighs the risk of systemic corticosteroid side effects (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ).

New onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of preexisting diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia have been reported during postmarketing surveillance in HIV-infected patients receiving protease-inhibitor therapy. Some patients required either initiation or dose adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents for the treatment of these events. In some cases diabetic ketoacidosis has occurred. In those patients who discontinued protease-inhibitor therapy, hyperglycemia persisted in some cases. Because these events have been reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency cannot be made and a causal relationship between protease-inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established.

INVIRASE must be used in combination with ritonavir.

If a serious or severe toxicity occurs during treatment with INVIRASE, INVIRASE should be interrupted until the etiology of the event is identified or the toxicity resolves. At that time, resumption of treatment with full-dose INVIRASE may be considered. For antiretroviral agents used in combination with INVIRASE, physicians should refer to the complete product information for these drugs for dose adjustment recommendations and for information regarding drug-associated adverse reactions.

Varying degrees of cross-resistance among protease inhibitors have been observed. Continued administration of INVIRASE therapy following loss of viral suppression may increase the likelihood of cross-resistance to other protease inhibitors (see MICROBIOLOGY ).

A statement to patients and health care providers is included on the product's bottle label: ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with INVIRASE.

INVIRASE may interact with some drugs; therefore, patients should be advised to report to their doctor the use of any other prescription, nonprescription medication, or herbal products, particularly St. John's wort.

Patients should be informed that INVIRASE is not a cure for HIV infection and that they may continue to acquire illnesses associated with advanced HIV infection, including opportunistic infections. Patients should be advised that INVIRASE must be used in combination with ritonavir, which significantly inhibits saquinavir's metabolism to provide increased plasma saquinavir levels.

Patients should be informed that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving protease inhibitors and that the cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.

Patients should be told that the long-term effects of INVIRASE are unknown at this time. They should be informed that INVIRASE therapy has not been shown to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination.

Patients should be advised that INVIRASE administered with ritonavir should be taken within 2 hours after a full meal (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics ). When INVIRASE is taken without food, concentrations of saquinavir in the blood are substantially reduced and may result in no antiviral activity. Patients should be advised of the importance of taking their medication every day, as prescribed, to achieve maximum benefit. Patients should not alter the dose or discontinue therapy without consulting their physician. If a dose is missed, patients should take the next dose as soon as possible. However, the patient should not double the next dose.

Clinical chemistry tests, viral load, and CD₄ count should be performed prior to initiating INVIRASE therapy and at appropriate intervals thereafter. Elevated nonfasting triglyceride levels have been observed in patients in saquinavir trials. Triglyceride levels should be periodically monitored during therapy. For comprehensive information concerning laboratory test alterations associated with use of other antiretroviral therapies, physicians should refer to the complete product information for these drugs.

Several drug interaction studies have been completed with both INVIRASE and saquinavir soft gel capsules. Observations from drug interaction studies with saquinavir soft gel capsules may not be predictive for INVIRASE. Because ritonavir is coadministered, prescribers should also refer to the prescribing information for ritonavir regarding drug interactions associated with this agent.

The metabolism of saquinavir is mediated by cytochrome P450, with the specific isoenzyme CYP3A4 responsible for 90% of the hepatic metabolism. Additionally, saquinavir is a substrate for P-Glycoprotein (Pgp). Therefore, drugs that affect CYP3A4 and/or Pgp, may modify the pharmacokinetics of saquinavir. Similarly, saquinavir might also modify the pharmacokinetics of other drugs that are substrates for CYP3A4 or Pgp.

Drugs that are contraindicated specifically due to the expected magnitude of interaction and potential for serious adverse events are uled in Table 4 under CONTRAINDICATIONS. Additional drugs that are not recommended for coadministration with INVIRASE and ritonavir are included in Table 5 . These recommendations are based on either drug interaction studies or predicted interactions due to the expected magnitude of interaction and potential for serious events or loss of efficacy.

Drug interactions that have been established based on drug interaction studies are uled with the pharmacokinetic results in Table 2 , which summarizes the effect of saquinavir, administered as saquinavir soft gel capsules or INVIRASE, on the geometric mean AUC and C_max of coadministered drugs and Table 3 , which summarizes the effect of coadministered drugs on the geometric mean AUC and C_max of saquinavir. Clinical dose recommendations can be found in Table 6 . The magnitude of the interactions may be different when INVIRASE is given with ritonavir.

When coadministering INVIRASE/ritonavir with any agent having a narrow therapeutic margin, such as anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, and antiarrhythmics, special attention is warranted. With some agents, the metabolism may be induced, resulting in decreased concentrations. Examples and clinical dose recommendations can be found in Table 6 .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers not breast-feed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV. It is not known whether saquinavir is excreted in human milk. Because of both the potential for HIV transmission and the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, mothers should be instructed not to breast-feed if they are receiving antiretroviral medications, including INVIRASE.

Safety and effectiveness of INVIRASE in HIV-infected pediatric patients younger than 16 years of age have not been established.

Clinical studies of INVIRASE did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, caution should be taken when dosing INVIRASE in elderly patients due to the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

(see PRECAUTIONS )

INVIRASE must be used in combination with ritonavir, which significantly inhibits saquinavir's metabolism to provide increased plasma saquinavir levels.

In combination with ritonavir the recommended dose of INVIRASE is 1000 mg two times daily with ritonavir 100 mg two times daily in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Table 7 uls grade 2, 3 and 4 related adverse events that occurred in ≥2% of patients receiving saquinavir soft gel capsules with ritonavir (1000/100 mg bid).

Limited experience is available from three studies investigating the pharmacokinetics of the INVIRASE 500 mg film-coated tablet compared to the INVIRASE 200 mg capsule in healthy volunteers (n=140). In two of these studies saquinavir was boosted with ritonavir; in the other study, saquinavir was administered as single drug. The INVIRASE tablet and the capsule formulations were similarly tolerated. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders (such as diarrhea). Similar bioavailability was demonstrated and no clinically significant differences in saquinavir exposures were seen. Thus, similar safety profiles are expected between the two INVIRASE formulations.

In a study investigating the drug-drug interaction of rifampin 600 mg/day daily and INVIRASE 1000 mg/ritonavir 100 mg twice daily (ritonavir-boosted INVIRASE) involving 28 healthy volunteers, 11 of 17 healthy volunteers (65%) exposed concomitantly to rifampin and ritonavir-boosted INVIRASE developed severe hepatocellular toxicity presented as increased hepatic transaminases. In some subjects, transaminases increased up to >20-fold the upper limit of normal and were associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, gastritis, nausea, and vomiting. Following discontinuation of all three drugs, clinical symptoms abated and the increased hepatic transaminases normalized (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).

Additionally, adverse experiences of any intensity, at least remotely related to saquinavir, that were reported from clinical trials using INVIRASE or saquinavir soft gel capsules with or without ritonavir, are uled below by body system:

Body as a Whole: allergic reaction, anorexia, asthenia, chest pain, drug fever, edema, fatigue, fever, intoxication, mucosa damage, parasites external, retrosternal pain, shivering, wasting syndrome, weakness generalized, weight decrease, redistribution/accumulation of body fat (see PRECAUTIONS: Fat Redistribution )

Cardiovascular: cyanosis, heart murmur, heart valve disorder, hypertension, hypotension, peripheral vasoconstriction, syncope, thrombophlebitis, vein distended

Endocrine/Metabolic: appetite decrease, appetite disturbance, dehydration, diabetes mellitus, dry eye syndrome, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia, weight increase, xerophthalmia

Gastrointestinal: ascites, abdominal discomfort, buccal mucosa ulceration, cheilitis, colic abdominal, constipation, dyspepsia, dysphagia, esophagitis, eructation, exacerbation of chronic liver disease with grade 4 LFT, feces bloodstained, feces discolored, flatulence, gastralgia, gastritis, gastrointestinal inflammation, intestinal obstruction, gingivitis, glossitis, hemorrhage rectum, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia, infectious diarrhea, jaundice, liver enzyme disorder, melena, pain pelvic, painful defecation, pancreatitis, parotid disorder, portal hypertension, right and left upper quadrant abdominal pain, salivary glands disorder, stomach upset, stomatitis, toothache, tooth disorder, vomiting

Hematologic: anemia, bleeding dermal, hemolytic anemia, leucopenia, microhemorrhages, neutropenia, pancytopenia, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia leading to death

Investigations: ALT increase, AST increase, GGT increase, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased creatine phosphokinase, increased gamma GT, isolated increase in transaminase, raised amylase, raised LDH, TSH increase

Musculoskeletal: arthralgia, arthritis, back pain, cramps leg, cramps muscle, creatine phosphokinase increased, musculoskeletal disorders, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, stiffness, tissue changes, trauma

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified: acute myeloblastic leukemia

Neurological: ataxia, bowel movements frequent, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, dysarthria, dysesthesia, extremity numbness, headache, heart rate disorder, hyperesthesia, hyperreflexia, hyporeflexia, light-headed feeling, mouth dry, myelopolyradiculoneuritis, numbness face, pain facial, paresis, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, poliomyelitis, prickly sensation, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, seizures, spasms, tremor, unconsciousness

Psychological: agitation, amnesia, anxiety, anxiety attack, depression, dreaming excessive, euphoria, hallucination, insomnia, intellectual ability reduced, irritability, lethargy, libido disorder, overdose effect, psychic disorder, psychosis, somnolence, speech disorder, suicide attempt

Reproductive System: impotence, prostate enlarged, vaginal discharge

Resistance Mechanism: abscess, angina tonsillaris, candidiasis, cellulitis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, infection bacterial, infection mycotic, infection staphylococcal, influenza, lymphadenopathy, moniliasis, tumor

Respiratory: bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, epistaxis, hemoptysis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, pulmonary disease, respiratory disorder, rhinitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection

Skin and Appendages: acne, alopecia, bullous skin eruption and polyarthritis, chalazion, dermatitis, dermatitis seborrheic, eczema, erythema, folliculitis, furunculosis, hair changes, hot flushes, nail disorder, night sweats, papillomatosis, photosensitivity reaction, pigment changes skin, rash maculopapular, severe cutaneous reaction associated with increased liver function tests, skin disorder, skin nodule, skin ulceration, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, sweating increased, urticaria, verruca, xeroderma

Special Senses: blepharitis, earache, ear pressure, eye irritation, hearing decreased, otitis, taste alteration, tinnitus, visual disturbance

Urinary System: micturition disorder, nephrolithiasis, renal calculus, urinary tract bleeding, urinary tract infection

Additional adverse events that have been observed during the postmarketing period are similar to those seen in clinical trials with INVIRASE and saquinavir soft gel capsules alone or in combination with ritonavir.

No acute toxicities or sequelae were noted in 1 patient who ingested 8 grams of INVIRASE as a single dose. The patient was treated with induction of emesis within 2 to 4 hours after ingestion. A second patient ingested 2.4 grams of INVIRASE in combination with 600 mg of ritonavir and experienced pain in the throat that lasted for 6 hours and then resolved. In an exploratory Phase II study of oral dosing with INVIRASE at 7200 mg/day (1200 mg q4h), there were no serious toxicities reported through the first 25 weeks of treatment.

INVIRASE must be used in combination with ritonavir, because it significantly inhibits saquinavir's metabolism to provide increased plasma saquinavir levels.

• INVIRASE 1000-mg bid (5 × 200-mg capsules or 2 × 500-mg tablets) in combination with ritonavir 100-mg bid.
• Ritonavir should be taken at the same time as INVIRASE.
• INVIRASE and ritonavir should be taken within 2 hours after a meal.

When administered with lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg bid, the appropriate dose of INVIRASE is 1000 mg bid (with no additional ritonavir).

Clinical chemistry tests, viral load, and CD₄ count should be performed prior to initiating INVIRASE therapy and at appropriate intervals thereafter. For comprehensive patient monitoring recommendations for other nucleoside analogues, physicians should refer to the complete product information for these drugs.

For serious toxicities that may be associated with INVIRASE, the drug should be interrupted. INVIRASE at doses less than 1000 mg with 100 mg ritonavir bid are not recommended since lower doses have not shown antiviral activity. For recipients of combination therapy with INVIRASE and ritonavir, dose adjustments may be necessary. These adjustments should be based on the known toxicity profile of the individual agent and the pharmacokinetic interaction between saquinavir and the coadministered drug (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions ). Physicians should refer to the complete product information for these drugs for comprehensive dose adjustment recommendations and drug-associated adverse reactions of nucleoside analogues.

INVIRASE 200-mg capsules are light brown and green opaque capsules with ROCHE and 0245 imprinted on the capsule shell—bottles of 270 (NDC 0004-0245-15).

INVIRASE 500-mg film-coated tablets are light orange to greyish- or brownish-orange, oval cylindrical, biconvex tablets with ROCHE and SQV 500 imprinted on the tablet face—bottles of 120 (NDC 0004-0244-51).

ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with INVIRASE. Please also read the section MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH INVIRASE.

Please read this product information carefully before you start taking INVIRASE and each time you renew your prescription. There may be new information. Reading this information can help you take this medicine correctly. However, it is not a substitute for your doctor's advice about the safety and benefits of INVIRASE. You should talk to your doctor about INVIRASE as part of your long-term treatment plan for HIV before you start taking your medication and ask any questions you may have at regular checkups. Remember, you should remain under a doctor's care when using INVIRASE and should not change or stop your therapy without talking to your doctor first.

What is INVIRASE?

How does INVIRASE work?

INVIRASE fights HIV as it grows inside cells by blocking an enzyme (protease) that HIV needs to reproduce.

Who should not take INVIRASE?

Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to INVIRASE or any of the ingredients in the capsule or tablet should not take it. The use of INVIRASE in patients under 16 years of age, over 65 years of age, or patients with severe liver problems has not been fully investigated.

How should INVIRASE/Norvir® (ritonavir) be taken?

• The recommended dosage of INVIRASE in combination with Norvir® (ritonavir) is INVIRASE 5 capsules or 2 tablets twice a day taken with 1 capsule of Norvir twice a day. In some combinations, your dose may change.

• INVIRASE must be taken along with Norvir (ritonavir).

• INVIRASE must be taken with meals or up to 2 hours after a meal—but it is easiest to remember if you take it with your meals. When INVIRASE is taken without food, the amount of INVIRASE in the blood is lower and may not fight HIV as well.

• When taking INVIRASE and other anti-HIV medicines, it is very important to follow the directions exactly and take your medication every day. If you skip doses—or take less than the prescribed dose—the medicine will not work as well, and your disease could get worse.

  — If you miss a dose, you should take the next dose as soon as possible. However, do not double the dose.

What results have been seen with INVIRASE?

INVIRASE with ritonavir has been shown to reduce the amount of virus in the blood ("viral load") and increase CD₄ (T) cells when taken with other HIV therapy.

What are the side effects of INVIRASE?

People treated with INVIRASE in combination with Norvir may have side effects. The majority of these have been described as mild. In clinical studies of patients who received saquinavir in combination with Norvir and other HIV drugs the side effects seen most often were: body fat change (5.4%), nausea (10.8%), vomiting (7.4%), diarrhea (8.1%), stomach pain (6.1%), tiredness (6.1%), and pneumonia (5.4%).

Diabetes (new onset or worsening) and increased blood sugar levels have been reported with the use of protease inhibitors. In addition, increased bleeding in patients with hemophilia has also been associated with these drugs.

When saquinavir is taken with ritonavir, some patients may experience large increases in triglyceride and lipid levels. The long-term chance of getting complications such as heart attack and stroke due to increases in triglyceride and cholesterol levels caused by protease inhibitors is not known at this time.

Changes in body fat have been seen in some patients taking anti-HIV medications. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck ("buffalo hump"), breasts, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs and arms may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.

These are not the only side effects that can occur with INVIRASE. Your doctor can discuss with you a more complete ul of side effects and laboratory abnormalities that may accompany this medication.

If any side effects or unusual symptoms do occur, contact your doctor immediately. Do not stop or decrease your dose on your own. Lowering the dose may make INVIRASE less effective in fighting HIV.

Are there other medications that I should not take with INVIRASE/Norvir (ritonavir)?

There are some drugs that should not be taken with INVIRASE. Before starting therapy with INVIRASE; be sure to tell your doctor all of the medicines—prescription medications, as well as over-the- counter drugs and nutritional supplements—that you are now taking or plan to take.

INVIRASE causes increased blood levels of these compounds. This can lead to serious or life-threatening reactions such as irregular heartbeat or prolonged sedation.

Taking INVIRASE with St. John's wort (hypericum perforatum), an herbal product sold as a dietary supplement, or products containing St. John's wort is not recommended. Talk with your doctor if you are taking or are planning to take St. John's wort. Taking St. John's wort may decrease INVIRASE levels and lead to increased viral load and possible resistance to INVIRASE or cross-resistance to other antiretroviral drugs.

No data are available for the coadministration of INVIRASE and Norvir with garlic capsules. Garlic capsules should not be used while taking saquinavir due to the potential for garlic capsules to decrease the amount of saquinavir in the blood.

Your doctor may want to change your medicine if you are taking rifampin (known as Rifadin®, Rifamate^®, Rifater^® or Rimactane^® ) or Mycobutin^® (rifabutin); these drugs substantially reduce the level of INVIRASE in the blood. Rifampin, in combination with INVIRASE and ritonavir, may also cause severe liver problems.

Caution should be exercised when taking INVIRASE with digoxin. Your doctor may want to decrease the dose of digoxin and monitor the levels of digoxin in your blood.

The following drugs increase blood levels of INVIRASE: Norvir^® (ritonavir)Dosages greater than 100mg twice a day of ritonavir when taken in combination with saquinavir were associated with an increase in side effects., Viracept^® (nelfinavir)The safety and efficacy of INVIRASE in combination with these drugs has not been established. Dosage adjustments may be required., Rescriptor^® (delavirdine)Use of this combination should be accompanied by close monitoring of liver enzymes., Nizoral^® (ketoconazole), Crixivan^® (indinavir), Biaxin^® (clarithromycin) and omeprazole.

Talk to your doctor if you are taking lipid (cholesterol) lowering drugs and Viagra^® (sildenafil citrate), Levitra^® (vardenafil), and Cialis^® (tadalafil).

Does INVIRASE cure HIV/AIDS?

INVIRASE does not cure AIDS, and it does not prevent you from getting other illnesses that result from advanced HIV infection. In addition, INVIRASE has not been shown to reduce the risk that you may transmit HIV to others through sexual contact or infected blood. You must continue to follow all of your doctor's recommendations for managing your illness.

What else should I discuss with my doctor?

Inform your doctor:

• If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking INVIRASE. The effects of INVIRASE on pregnant women or unborn babies are not yet fully known. In addition, experts advise against breast-feeding if you are HIV positive, to reduce the risk of passing the virus to your baby.

• If you are taking anti-HIV medications. Your doctor may want to change one or more of your anti-HIV drugs in order to achieve the best results when you start treatment with INVIRASE.

• If you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes, or if you have hemophilia, hepatitis or other liver disease, your doctor should decide if INVIRASE is right for you.

• If you have ever taken FORTOVASE, discuss with your doctor whether INVIRASE is right for you.

How is INVIRASE supplied?

INVIRASE is available as light brown and green capsules in a 200-mg strength. INVIRASE comes in bottles of 270 capsules.

INVIRASE is also available as light orange to greyish- or brownish-orange tablets in a 500-mg strength. INVIRASE comes in bottles of 120 tablets.

How should I store INVIRASE?

INVIRASE capsules and tablets should be stored at room temperature. The bottles should be kept tightly closed.

INVIRASE has been prescribed specifically for you, and only for a particular condition. Do not use it for anything else. Do not give it to anyone else. If you think you have taken more than your prescribed dose, seek medical attention.

Keep this medication and all other medications out of the reach of children. Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. Be sure that if you throw any medicine away, it is out of the reach of children.

This provides only a brief summary of product information about INVIRASE. If you have any questions about INVIRASE or HIV, talk to your doctor.

FORTOVASE and Versed are registered trademarks of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. Norvir, Rhythmol, and Biaxin are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories. Halcion, Mycobutin and Rescriptor are registered trademarks of Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. Hismanal, Propulsid and Nizoral are registered trademarks of Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. Seldane, Rifadin, Rifamate and Rifater are registered trademarks of Hoechst Marion Roussel. Rimactane and Cafergot are registered trademarks of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Viracept is a registered trademark of Agouron Pharmaceuticals Inc. Crixivan is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. Viagra is a registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc. Levitra is a registered trademark of Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. Cialis is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Tambocor is a registered trademark of 3M. Pacerone is a registered trademark of Upsher-Smith.

If you have any questions about INVIRASE, call toll free at 1-800-910-4687.

27899381

10085697

Revised: July 2007

Copyright © 1999-2007 by Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved.