Anti-HIV Agent

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• QHow is high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy for kidney cancer performed?

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  A Aurora Health Care answered

  High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment for kidney cancer patients involves the following:

  • Treatment with high-dose IL-2 therapy will require inpatient hospitalization.

  • One cycle of therapy will consist of treatment with IL-2 given in a vein every 8 hours for a maximum of 14 doses as tolerated. This will require a five- to seven-day stay in the hospital.

  • Following approximately 10 to 14 days of rest after discharge from the hospital, patients will be treated again with a second cycle of therapy.

  • These two cycles consist of one course of therapy.

  • Patients will be evaluated for response to therapy two to four weeks after completion of one course of therapy.

  • Additional courses of therapy may be offered dependent upon patient response and tolerance to treatment.
• QAre there any risks in taking Crixivan?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  While taking Crixivan people often develop kidney stones. Hemolytic anemia (the destruction of red blood cells), hepatitis (liver inflammation) and nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis can all occur as a result of taking Crixivan. In some cases, protease inhibitors like Crixivan have been known to cause bleeding, so if you have hemophilia (or any other serious health conditions), be sure to discuss them with your doctor. Crixivan also can affect your blood sugar, which may put people with diabetes at risk for hyperglycemia. While Crixivan may have a negative effect on a pregnant woman, a fetus or a nursing infant, studies are inconclusive about the exact risks, so speak with your physician if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you plan to become pregnant. There also have been reports that this medication can cause a redistribution of fat in your body, causing unusual lumps. Crixivan may cause dormant infections in your body to become active as your immune system becomes stronger. Be on the alert for any signs of a developing infection. Since Crixivan can interact with many different medications, check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you. And, as with any medication, be sure to take Crixivan exactly as prescribed by your physician to avoid the risk of serious complications.
  
  

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• QHow should I take ritonavir?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  You should take ritonavir exactly as directed by your doctor. Typically, this will be twice a day. It's important to take ritonavir with food and to swallow the tablet whole. If you take the oral liquid, shake the bottle before opening and measure the dose accurately in a marked cup, oral dosing syringe or dose-measuring spoon. You can mix the liquid with a nutritional drink or chocolate milk to make it taste better.
   
• QHow is high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy for skin cancer administered?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Aurora Health Care answered

  High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment for skin cancer patients involves the following:

  • Treatment with high-dose IL-2 therapy will require inpatient hospitalization.

  • One cycle of therapy will consist of treatment with IL-2 given in a vein every 8 hours for a maximum of 14 doses as tolerated. This will require a five- to seven-day stay in the hospital.

  • Following approximately 10 to 14 days of rest after discharge from the hospital, patients will be treated again with a second cycle of therapy.

  • These two cycles consist of one course of therapy.

  • Patients will be evaluated for response to therapy two to four weeks after completion of one course of therapy.

  • Additional courses of therapy may be offered dependent upon patient response and tolerance to treatment.
• QWho is a candidate for high-dose interleukin-2 therapy for kidney cancer?

  1 Answer

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  A Aurora Health Care answered

  High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and is considered standard treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
  Kidney cancer patients suitable for high-dose IL-2 treatment:

  • Must be diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body)
  • Must be out of bed more than 50 percent of the day
  • Have relatively normal function of heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver
  • Have brain metastases treated and stable
  • Should not take/use steroids or steroid-containing compounds
• QHow is low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy for kidney cancer given?

  1 Answer

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  A Aurora Health Care answered

  Low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment for kidney cancer patients involves the following:

  • Therapy will consist of low-dose subcutaneous injections (shot under the skin) of IL-2 given once daily Monday through Friday for six weeks.

  • The dose of IL-2 during the first week of therapy will be higher than the following five weeks.

  • This therapy will be given on an outpatient basis.

  • Patients will be evaluated for response to therapy two to four weeks after completion of one course of therapy.

  • Additional courses of therapy may be offered dependent upon patient response and tolerance to treatment.
• QHow does lopinavir and ritonavir (LPV/r) interact with drugs and food?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lopinavir and ritonavir (LPV/r) interacts with a number of other drugs. When used with any of the following medications, LPV/r can increase or decrease levels of those medications in your blood, which raises your risk of serious side effects and can make your medications less effective. Talk to your doctor before taking lopinavir and ritonavir (LPV/r) if you are taking any of the following: arrhythmia medications, chemotherapy drugs, colchicines, alfuzosin, bosentan, amlodipine, felodipine, diltiazem, isradipine, verapamil, nifedipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, nimodipine, rifabutin, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, voriconazole, colchicines, nilotinib, vinblastine, dasatinib, vincristine, delavirdine, bupropion, atovaquone, dexamethasone, fentanyl, fluticasone, maraviroc, nevirapine, methadone, salmeterol, phenytoin, tenofovir, trazodone, sirolimus, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, amprenavir, tipranavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, fosamprenavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, darunavir, simeprevir, vardenafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, hormonal birth control, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, delavirdine, efavirenz, rifampin, seizure medications, St. John's Wort, bromocriptine, ergonovine, dihydroergotamine, methylergonovine, lovastatin, simvastatin, midazolam, triazolam, quetiapine and pimozide.
  Taking lopinavir and ritonavir with some calcium channel blockers, digoxin or atazanavir can increase your risk of a dangerous arrhythmia known as heart block. Combining lopinavir and ritonavir with QT-prolonging medications can increase your risk of QT prolongation, a dangerous arrhythmia. Lopinavir and ritonavir is available in a liquid solution, which contains alcohol. The liquid solution should not be combined with disulfiram or metronidazole, since these medications must not be mixed with alcohol. Lopinavir and ritonavir (LPV/r) currently has no known food reactions. You may continue your normal diet unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• QHow does ritonavir interact with other medicines or food?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Ritonavir, when combined with any of the following medicines, could cause life-threatening effects: amiodarone, afluzosin, bepridil,ergotamine, flecainide, lovastatin, simvastatin, methylergonovine, midazolam, triazolam, pimozide, propafenone, quinidine, sildenafil, St. John's Wort, triazolam, voriconazole, dihydroergotamine and ergonovine.
  The following medications may also interact negatively with ritonavir: ADHD medications, antibiotics, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, antidepressants and other mental disorder medications, steroid medications, erectile dysfunction drugs, diabetes medications, including insulin, sedatives, seizure medications, pain medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, atovaquone, quinine, dronabinol, maraviroc, simeprevir, salmeterol and theophylline. Drinking alcohol, smoking or using illegal drugs may also interfere with ritonavir. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications, and even herbal supplements and vitamins, can interact poorly with ritonavir, so make sure to tell your doctor about your entire medication history before taking this drug.
• QHow does Norvir interact with other medications?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Norvir may interact with a number of different drugs. You should make a list of all medications you currently take and give it to your doctor before taking Norvir. Be sure to include any vitamins or nutritional or herbal supplements. Also include any over-the-counter medications. Medications that can cause adverse effects if taken with Norvir include: Ergotamine, Amiodarone, Bepridil, Dihydroergotamine, Astemizole, Ergonovine, Flecainide, Methylergonovine, Midazolam, Terfenadine, Pimozide, Propafenone, Quinidine, Quetiapine, Simeprevir and Triazolam. Let your doctor know if you start any new medications while taking Norvir.
  
• QHow does indinavir interact with other medications or foods?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Some medications that can interact negatively with indinavir include: certain seizure medications, some antidepressants and antipsychotics, certain statin medications, some phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, protease inhibitors other than indinavir, some calcium channel blockers, some antibiotics and medications that suppress the immune system. In addition, some foods and herbal remedies can cause negative interactions, including red yeast rice and St. John's Wort. Because some combinations of medications, supplements or herbal remedies with indinavir can be harmful, be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies that you take.