Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
PIs disable protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.
Long term side effects of protease inhibitors: Change in blood sugar levels
- Increase in blood fat levels
- Deposition of fat in the abdomen and on the back of the shoulders.
| Drug | Dosage | Side Effects |
| Invirase | Five 200 mg capsules of Invirase + one 100 mg of Norvir, twice a day. | Nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, insominia, headache, increased liver enzyme levels. Invirase and Norvir should be taken with food, or within 2 hours after a meal. |
| Fortovase | Six 200 mg capsules, three times a day plus one 100 mg Norvir, twice daily. | Nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, insominia, headache, increased liver enzyme levels. |
| Norvir/Ritonavir | Six 100mg capsules, twice a day. | Nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, insominia, headache, increased liver enzyme levels, loss of appetite, oral tingling and numbness. Capsules should be stored in refrigerator, Used at lower doses to enhance other protease inhibitors. |
| Crixivan / Indinavir | Two 400 mg capsules, every 8 hours. | Kidney stones, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, insomnia, rash, back pain. Take on an empty stomach, drink atleast 8 glasses of water daily to prevent kidney stone formation. |
| Viracept / Nelfinavir | Five 250 mg tablets, twice a day. | Diarrhea, nausea, stomach discomfort, gas, rash, increased liver enzyme levels. Drug to be taken with meal. |
| Agenerase / Amprenavir | Eight 150 mg capsules, twice a day. | Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, oral tingling and numbness. Drug can be taken with or without food, but avoid taking high-fat meals. |
| Kaletra / Lopinavir + Ritonavir | Three capsules, twice a day. | Diarrhea, nausea, feeling tired, headache, Pancreatitis. |
| Reyataz / Atazanavir | Two 200mg capsules, once a day. | Increased levels of bilirubin, headaches, pain in the arms and legs, nausea, diarrhea, rash. Should be taken with a light meal. |
| Lexiva / Fosamprenavir | Two 700 mg tablets, twice a day. | Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. |
