Anyone taking Invirase boosted with Norvir?

[DEN100]

I will wait to see if anyone joins in before I start with questions and experiences.

[DEN100]

Looking for anyone with current or past experience with this regiment.

[Miss Philicia]

I have.

[DEN100]

Miss P, 

I am taking INvirase boosted with Norvir at present time ( and have in the past starting in 2007). I stopped for six months last year as I was panicked about the discoveries of heart issues. I am back on this regimen. I have low GFR ( caused historically from Truvada and a blood pressure med). That prevents me from taking anything that stresses kidneys. I take no other HIV meds. Anyways, my questions are:

1). Did you have a any side effects while taking this regimen?  Specifically heart?

2).  I have severe anxiety and constantly worry about this drug going in my body. This worry alone causes anxiety related symptoms to get worse.

3). I need to take some meds for Reflux ( Nexium) and this makes Invirase even more likely to cause problems. DR's say don't worry just take it.
What has been your experience and why did you stop taking it?


A

[Miss Philicia]

Invirase was the first protease inhibitor I ever took back when it was first approved in 1996, though it was then called saquinavir. I can't clearly recall how long I took it back then. Then eons later in 1995 I was put back on it to supplement my existing kaletra based regimen, because I had a lot of resistance issues and was waiting for some new meds to be FDA approved.

The only side effect I ever had from it was wretched bouts of diarrhea, but this can be controlled with loperamide (imodium).

I have no idea what you're referring to about heart issues with this medication -- the med alone doesn't indicate this, but it can if combined with certain other things per this link. Perhaps it's the nexium combination that you're talking about? I never took anything like that when on HIV meds so I can't help you with that interaction.

Aside from this, I don't understand why you're "only" on invirase and norvir -- your doctor doesn't have you on a standard regimen with two NRTI class meds in addition to this? That doesn't sound appropriate.

As far as your anxiety issues, your past posts indicate that this has been an ongoing issue for you. It's not med-related. I hope you're actively engaged in cognitive behavioral therapy for this.

[DEN100]

Thanks for your reply. The heart issues were discovered in 2010 and are quite significant. The issues are with prolonged PR intervals and QT intervals.  I have been undetectable while on this single regimen. I was taking Truvada with it but had to quit. I have significant side effects ( either organ issues or allergic reactions) that the less the better. There is also studies underway that taking some PI by themselves may in fact be good enough. IN any case, I was just wondering if anybody else had experience. Seems like this may not be a drug that too many people are taking at this time.

[DEN100]

Miss P, 

I am not in any cognitive behavioral therapy. I think I may need some. My anxiety is severe. Do not work any longer and have developed social anxiety as well as general anxiety. Never had these until I got HIV and just continually worry worry worry. I think I need to get some CBT.

[newt]

Most PIs have QT  interval (heart rhythm) effects for a few people. The question is: do you on these meds? And is your viral load "undetectable"? These are the key questions.

- matt