Norvir tablets gag me!!

[toughgirlie]

Hi guys and girls, new to this site tonight 

My first question!!!
Started on Norvir 100mg tablets combined with Reyataz and Truvada. Very scared of starting them as have anxiety (panic attacks etc) and soooo worried about side effects! Anyway bit the bullet tonight and took my first dose at 7pm GO MEEEE! 
However one little problem, i have never been good at swallowing tablets (even though i have been diagnosed since 97!) and i had so much trouble getting the bloody Norvir tablet down - i had to spit 3 out into the sink before i managed it! Is there an option of a smaller tablet? I dont mind taking more than one if needs be, but im seriously dreading my next dose now!! I REALLY want to stick to this regime as i have been awful at it in the past, but this is making it hard already! Also, as im so worried about side effects it sould be nice to know if anyone out there is finding them ok?!!

Thanks
Nic xxx

[mecch]

When did norvir tablets hit the market?  Here in Europe its still gelatin, refrigerated.

[freaky_dream]

Wasn't there liquid norvir available at one time? That must have tasted delicious! Yummy yummy I got norvir in my tummy!

[newt]

Put it in some:

- banana
- ice cream (this is medically justified since you need fat to absorb it  
- yoghurt

Or take with liquid..it can stick, I know (it burns).

I agree it's a fucker of a size. Having said this, it may be a thinking issue to a degree, since they's not bigger then yer average steak/tofu morsel.

PS - norvir liqud is the most disgusting formulation on planet earth

- matt

[toughgirlie]

Oh Mecch thats the ones i mean lol, horrible gel tablets kept in fridge! They are just tooo big for me to swallow lol!
Yes newt they probably are as big as ya normal steak morsel! lol! But drives me mad trying to swallow them because of my anx....may have to try the ice cream thing tho....yum!

Thanks

[BM]

I agree Norvir is a bit big to just "slide down" with a drink of water, but I find rolling it around my mouth so it is well coated in saliva helps the process.

[toughgirlie]

Thanks for your help guys Will be trying every technique tonight at 7pm for my next dose, bloody things hehe!

Looks like i was lucky to skip past the liquid Norvir from what i have read in these forums about it! Did have one med years back that had to be dissolved which was bad enough...tho cant place the name of it right now! xx

[ARMANDO]

i take the norvir soft gel capsules,no problem at all!!!

[leatherman]

norvir liqud is the most disgusting formulation on planet earth

amen brother amen!

but never fear toughgirlie, there's an actual norvir tablet (NOT gelcap) on the way (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117775.php) and there are some other PI-booster style meds in trials (http://www.thebody.com/content/confs/croi2009/art50565.html)

I don't have much of a problem swallowing the norvir, though I will agree it's big and once in a while it does get stuck in my throat (covering it in gravy helps too ). However norvir makes me barf 3-6 times a month (but has helped me reach and stay undetectable) and I for one will be happy as heck to switch to one of these other options as soon as they become available.

[Miss Philicia]

I take Norvir with 10 other pills all at one time, with no problem.  As the OP states, this is more of a mental/anxiety issue than any physical limitation, one just needs to relax the throat and maintain a sense of calm.

[denb45]

I take Norvir with 10 other pills all at one time, with no problem.  As the OP states, this is more of a mental/anxiety issue than any physical limitation, one just needs to relax the throat and maintain a sense of calm.

I hate Norvir........ I'm on 400MG a day 2 in the morning and 2 at night, but until they come out with something better, I'm stuck with that awful shit, I took it 10 yrs. ago in a liquid form, it still tasted like shit to me, and it always upsets my tummy, and I've been on it for the last 6 yrs. on & off  

[AndyArrow]

Liquid Norvir is gross ... no way around it ... although I had to take Sporonox once for a fungal infection and I think it was ever so slightly worse, so be calm, relax. 

Try putting your pills together and close your eyes when you pick them up (so you don't know which is which).

Good luck,
AA

[markaj]

Hey toughgirlie welcome to the forums.  As posters have said it's really all in the mind.  I never used to be able to swallow any tablets at all, now I get them down, all sizes, no problem at all.  With Norvir I'd always position it as centrally on the tongue as possible and take a great glug of water.  Just try not to think about what you're doing if that makes sense!

[freaky_dream]

amen brother amen!

but never fear toughgirlie, there's an actual norvir tablet (NOT gelcap) on the way (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117775.php) and there are some other PI-booster style meds in trials (http://www.thebody.com/content/confs/croi2009/art50565.html)

I don't have much of a problem swallowing the norvir, though I will agree it's big and once in a while it does get stuck in my throat (covering it in gravy helps too ). However norvir makes me barf 3-6 times a month (but has helped me reach and stay undetectable) and I for one will be happy as heck to switch to one of these other options as soon as they become available.

GS-9350 is about two years away. Phase two will start soon. After getting excluded from the quad study(due to a vaccination timing) the study doctor asked me if I would participate in the GS-9350 study but I declined since it will be tested against Norvir.