Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Rash

Abdominal pain

Diarrhoea

Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)

Nausea

High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

Pain in the muscles (myalgia)

Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)

Decrease in the number of a type of white blood cell (neutrophil) in the blood (neutropenia)

Redistribution of body fat, eg decreased fat under the skin, increased fat on the abdomen, 'buffalo humps' and breast enlargement.

Raised cholesterol levels

Increased bleeding in people with haemophilia

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

There is a risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), if nelfinavir is taken with the following medicines, hence these medicines should not be taken with nelfinavir: - terfenadine - cisapride - amiodarone - quinidine - astemizole - pimozide. The blood level and effect of nelfinavir may be decreased if it is used with the following medicines: - rifampicin (should not be used with nelfinavir) - carbamazepine - phenytoin - phenobarbital - rifabutin - St John's wort (should not be used with nelfinavir). Nelfinavir increases the blood level of rifabutin and your doctor will need to reduce the dose of this medicine if it is taken with nelfinavir. Nelfinavir may also increase the blood levels of the following medicines: - sildenafil - calcium channel blockers - tacrolimus - statins for lowering cholesterol levels, eg simvastatin. There may be a risk of prolonged sedation if nelfinavir is taken with anxiolytics or hypnotics such as midazolam or triazolam. These medicines should not be taken with nelfinavir. There is an increased risk of poisoning by ergotamine, known as ergotism, if it is used with nelfinavir. Therefore ergotamine and other ergot derivatives should not be used with nelfinavir. Nelfinavir may reduce the effectiveness of the combined oral contraceptive pill and alternative methods of contraception should be considered.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Viracept

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