Drug information

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Brand Name
Aptivus
Other Names
TPV
Drug Class
Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
Drug Image(s): (Click to enlarge)

(The drug image[s] shown above is of the brand product only. There may be other available products not shown.)

 

What are the most important things to know about tipranavir? What are the most important things to know about tipranavir? 

What are the most important things to know about tipranavir?

Tipranavir can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. These include liver problems, severe skin rash and allergic reactions, bleeding in the brain, and drug interactions.

Some people taking tipranavir in combination with ritonavir (a pharmacokinetic enhancer [boosting agent] always used with tipranavir) have had liver problems. People with a history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) or who have elevated results on liver function tests may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening liver problems while taking tipranavir in combination with ritonavir.

Contact your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms that could be signs of liver problems:

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Light-colored bowel movements
  • Loss of appetite for several days or longer
  • Nausea of vomiting
  • Pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach/abdominal area
  • Itching

Contact your health care provider right away if you develop a rash while taking tipranavir. Stop taking tipranavir and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms:

  • General ill feeling
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Muscle or joint aches
  • Fever
  • Blistering or peeling skin
  • Blisters or sores in your mouth
  • Redness or swelling of the eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Swelling of your face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing

Some people taking tipranavir in combination with ritonavir may develop bleeding in the brain. Report any unusual or unexplained bleeding to your health care provider.

Taking tipranavir and ritonavir with certain other medicines may cause serious, life-threatening side effects. Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

While taking tipranavir, it is important to keep all of your appointments with your health care provider.

What is tipranavir?What is tipranavir?

What is tipranavir?

Tipranavir (brand name: Aptivus) is a prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children weighing at least 79 lb (36 kg) and who meet specific requirements, as determined by a health care provider.

Tipranavir is always used with the boosting agent ritonavir (brand name: Norvir) and other HIV medicines.

Although tipranavir is FDA-approved for use in adults and children, it is no longer commonly used or recommended as an HIV treatment. The Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV and the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection no longer contain detailed or updated information on the use of tipranavir. Please refer to the FDA drug label for additional information regarding the use of tipranavir in people with HIV.

HIV medicines cannot cure HIV/AIDS, but taking HIV medicines every day helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. HIV medicines also reduce the risk of HIV transmission. If you are taking HIV medicines, do not cut down on, skip, or stop taking them unless your health care provider tells you to.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking tipranavir?What should I tell my health care provider before taking tipranavir?

What should I tell my health care provider before taking tipranavir?

Before taking tipranavir, tell your health care provider:

  • If you are allergic to tipranavir, sulfonamides (sulfa medicines), or any other medicines.
  • If you have hemophilia or another medical condition that increases your risk of bleeding, including trauma or surgery.
  • If you are taking medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, including if you take high doses of vitamin E.
  • If you have liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection (HCV).
  • If you have high cholesterol or high triglycerides.
  • If you have diabetes.
  • If you have any other medical conditions.
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of taking tipranavir during pregnancy. For more information on the use of tipranavir during pregnancy, please refer to the Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States. Note that the tipranavir drug section of the Perinatal HIV Guidelines is no longer being reviewed or updated. 
  • If you are breast/chestfeeding or plan to breast/chestfeed. For people with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. People with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk.
  • If you are using hormone-based birth control (such as pills, implants, or vaginal rings). Tipranavir may make these forms of birth control less effective. In addition, there may be an increased risk of rash when tipranavir is taken with birth control pills. Your health care provider may recommend that you use additional or alternative forms of birth control while you are taking tipranavir. For more information about using birth control and HIV medicines at the same time, view the HIVinfo HIV and Birth Control infographic.
  • About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products (particularly St. John's wort) you are taking or plan to take. Tipranavir may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how tipranavir works. Taking tipranavir together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.

How should I take tipranavir?How should I take tipranavir?

How should I take tipranavir?

Tipranavir comes in the following forms and strengths:

  • 250-mg capsules

Take tipranavir according to your health care provider’s instructions. Do not miss a dose of tipranavir, and do not change your dose or stop taking tipranavir without first talking with your health care provider.

Tipranavir is always taken with the boosting agent ritonavir. Take tipranavir and ritonavir by mouth at the same time. If you are taking tipranavir with ritonavir tablets, the medicines must be taken with meals.

Tipranavir capsules should be swallowed whole. Do not open or chew the capsules.

Always take tipranavir and ritonavir in combination with other HIV medicines.

If you have taken too much tipranavir, contact your health care provider or local poison control center (1-800-222-1222 or online) right away, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

For more information on how to take tipranavir, see the FDA drug label.

What should I do if I forget a dose?What should I do if I forget a dose?

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dose of tipranavir, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and just take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

What side effects can tipranavir cause?What side effects can tipranavir cause?

What side effects can tipranavir cause?

Tipranavir may cause side effects. Some side effects of tipranavir can be serious as noted above. Many side effects from HIV medicines, such as nausea or occasional dizziness, are manageable. See the HIVinfo fact sheet on HIV Medicines and Side Effects for more information.

Other possible side effects of tipranavir include:

Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of tipranavir. To learn more about possible side effects of tipranavir, read the drug label or package insert or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist.

You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or online.

How should tipranavir be stored?How should tipranavir be stored?

How should tipranavir be stored?

  • Store unopened containers of tipranavir capsules in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Store opened containers of tipranavir capsules at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Once the container has been opened, the capsules must be used within 60 days.
  • Keep tipranavir in the container that it came in and keep the container tightly closed.
  • Do not use tipranavir if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing.
  • Throw away tipranavir that is no longer needed or expired (out of date). Follow FDA guidelines on how to safely dispose of unused medicine.
  • Keep tipranavir and all medicines out of reach of children.

Where can I find more information about tipranavir?Where can I find more information about tipranavir?

Where can I find more information about tipranavir?

Manufacturer Information

Boehringer Ingelheim
Main number: 800-542-6257
Patient assistance: 800-556-8317

 

Last Reviewed: June 5, 2024