What should I tell my healthcare provider (HCP) before I take APTIVUS?

Tell your HCP about all of your medical conditions, including if you

• Have hemophilia or another medical condition that increases your chance of bleeding, or are taking medicines that increase your chance of bleeding. These patients may have an increased chance of bleeding
• Have liver problems or are infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. These patients may have worsening of their liver disease
• Are allergic to sulfa medicines
• Have diabetes. APTIVUS may worsen your diabetes or high blood sugar levels
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if APTIVUS can harm your unborn baby. You and your HCP will need to decide if APTIVUS is right for you. If you take APTIVUS while you are pregnant, talk to your HCP about how you can be in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry
• Are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed if you are taking APTIVUS. You should not breast-feed if you have HIV because of the chance of passing the HIV virus to your baby. Talk with your HCP about the best way to feed your baby
• Are using estrogens for birth control or hormone replacement. Women who use estrogens for birth control or hormone replacement have an increased chance of developing a skin rash while taking APTIVUS. If a rash occurs, it is usually mild to moderate, but you should talk to your HCP as you may need to temporarily stop taking either APTIVUS or the other medicine that contains estrogen or female hormones

Tell your HCP if you are taking other medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

• Some medicines cannot be taken at all with APTIVUS
• Some medicines will require a change in dosage if taken with APTIVUS
• Some medicines will require close monitoring if taken with APTIVUS

Do not take Flonase®, Viagra®, Cialis®, or Levitra® with APTIVUS without first speaking with your HCP.
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Women taking birth control pills need to use another birth control method. APTIVUS makes birth control pills less effective.

If you are taking APTIVUS oral solution, which contains vitamin E, you should not take additional vitamin E other than that contained in a standard multivitamin.

What else should I do?

Communication with your healthcare team is a major part of your therapy. Talk regularly with your HCP about any questions or concerns you may have about APTIVUS or any medications you are taking to treat HIV.

Be sure to discuss safer sex practices with your HCP.
Do not share needles used for tattoos or drugs.