Lexiva Description

Lexiva is an oral medication (called Telzir in Canada) that is prescribed to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to reduce the amount of virus in the body. HIV treatment usually involves three or four drugs taken together in order to battle the virus from different vantage points, as well as to ensure ‘back-up’ should the virus become resistant to any of the antiretroviral drugs you take.

Lexiva is called a protease inhibitor (PI) and its effects may be boosted when Norvir is added to your daily regimen. There is no cure for HIV, but Lexiva and other Rx drugs can help decrease your viral load and delay the advancement of your infection to its final stage for possibly decades.

Reduce Your Viral Load

Fosamprenavir Calcium is the active ingredient in Lexiva that prevents the HIV infected cells from making new viruses. When HIV infects a type of white blood cell called CD4, it is then programmed to make new HIV genetic material and proteins. In order to do this, the proteins must be ‘cut up’ by a protein enzyme (protease) so the new HIV particles can be made. However, Lexiva interferes with this process so the infected cells are unable to help the virus multiply. Regular blood tests will allow your doctor to monitor your viral load to be certain their numbers are decreasing.

Conditions Treated by Lexiva

HIV is called a retrovirus because it requires cells to invade and reproduce. Humans make a great ‘host’ with their CD4 cells at the mercy of the virus. Once the cell becomes infected and it is ready to make new proteins to survive and replicate itself, the cell unwittingly makes new viruses from the hidden HIV DNA. This process repeats itself many times and you may develop flu-like symptoms during the first 2-6 weeks after infection. Some of those infected with HIV may not exhibit any symptoms at all for years.

Before Lexiva is Prescribed

Ask your doctor about the safety of taking Lexiva if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Make your doctor aware of other medical conditions and allergies you have and list all current OTC and Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements. Your doctor can then determine if Lexiva is right for your situation.

Lexiva Precautions

Talk to your doctor before your start taking any new drugs as this can affect the efficacy of Lexiva. If you are feeling better, it’s because your treatment with Lexiva and other antiretroviral meds is working. If you start to notice other symptoms of illness, see your doctor right away as this may be another infection that has now surfaced because your immune system is working better. Monitor your blood sugar as Lexiva can cause a rise in glucose levels.

Taking Lexiva and other HIV drugs does not protect your partner or others during direct contact with infected blood and other body fluids. You will still need to use caution and should not have unprotected sex, share needles, or breast feed. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant so procedures can be put into place to reduce the baby’s risk of being infected during child birth.

Possible Side Effects of Lexiva

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Itching skin
• Nausea/vomiting

Drugs Similar to Lexiva

• Norvir
• Prezista
• Invirase