Agenerase

Agenerase may trigger diabetes or make it worse. If this occurs, you may have to start taking insulin or oral diabetes drugs, or have your dosage of these medications adjusted. Agenerase can also increase cholesterol levels, possibly resulting in the need for treatment.

Like other protease inhibitors, Agenerase may also lead to a redistribution of body fat, with an increase in weight around the middle and on the upper back, and a loss of fat in the arms and legs. The long-term health effects of this change are still unknown.

Agenerase belongs to the sulfonamide family of drugs. If you have an allergy to other sulfa drugs, such as Bactrim or Septra, be sure to tell your doctor.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Agenerase

Be sure to check with your doctor about the medicines and herbal remedies that should NOT be taken with this drug. Due to the danger of life-threatening side effects, Agenerase should never be combined with dihydroergotamine (Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergostat), methylergonovine (Methergine), pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion). Serious or life-threatening side effects can also occur when Agenerase is taken with amiodarone (Cordarone), lidocaine, lovastatin (Mevacor), quinidine (Quinidex), simvastatin (Zocor), or tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil and Tofranil. If you are taking both Agenerase and the HIV drug ritonavir (Norvir), you must be careful to avoid the heart medications flecainide (Tambocor) and propafenone (Rythmol).

Rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater) and St. John's wort should be avoided because they combat the antiviral effects of Agenerase. Combining Agenerase oral solution with Norvir oral solution is not recommended. And while taking Agenerase oral solution, it's best to avoid drinking alcohol.

Be cautious, too, about combining Agenerase and Viagra. The combination increases the risk of Viagra-related side effects such as low blood pressure, changes in vision, and persistent painful erection.