Amprenavir - A protease inhibitor for the treatment of patients with HIV-1infection

Amprenavir is the fifth protease inhibitor approved by the FDA. Studies eva luating surrogate endpoints have determined that adding amprenavir to a dua l nucleoside reverse transcriptase regimen significantly reduces Viral load after 16 weeks of therapy. in these studies, amprenavir was more effective in antiretroviral-naive subjects than in those previously exposed to antir etroviral therapy, Adverse effects associated with amprenavir include gastr ointestinal complaints, rash, and paresthesias, A phase II study in pediatr ic patients found safety and efficacy results similar to those in adults. L ike other members of this drug class, amprenavir inhibits the cytochrome P4 50 3A4 enzyme, resulting in multiple drug interactions. Because of amprenav ir's relatively long half-life allowing twice-daily dosing, amprenavir-cont aining regimens have the potential to improve adherence and, potentially to reduce the emergence of resistance.