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Aptivus (tipranavir) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with other HIV medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in adults and children who weigh 36 kilograms or more.
Aptivus is a type of HIV medicine called a protease inhibitor. It blocks an enzyme that HIV needs to make mature copies of itself.
Doctors prescribe Aptivus for adults and children who weigh 36 kilograms or more. It is for people who have taken HIV medicines before and whose HIV-1 is resistant to more than one protease inhibitor.
Aptivus is used with ritonavir and other HIV medicines. Aptivus is not recommended for people who have never taken HIV medicines before.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Aptivus comes as capsules taken by mouth. It must be taken twice daily with ritonavir and food. The capsules must be swallowed whole. Do not open or chew them.
The recommended dose for adults and children weighing 36 kilograms or more is 500 milligrams of Aptivus, taken as two 250-milligrams capsules twice daily. Each dose is taken with 200 milligrams of ritonavir.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Aptivus taken with ritonavir, the most common side effects were reported in about 4 percent to 15 percent of people. These include:
Aptivus can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of Aptivus, offers the Boehringer Cares Patient Assistance Program. Eligible people may be able to receive Aptivus at no cost through this program.
The program also offers optional text message updates about your application status.
To learn more, visit the Boehringer Cares Patient Assistance Program website or call 800-556-8317.
Before starting Aptivus, your doctor will do liver blood tests.
Before taking Aptivus, tell your healthcare provider if you:
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Aptivus if you have moderate or severe liver problems.
Do not take Aptivus with:
If you miss a dose, take Aptivus with ritonavir as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at once.
Refill Aptivus before you run out. Stopping it, even for a short time, may allow the amount of HIV in your blood to rise. The virus may also become harder to treat.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. A pregnancy registry tracks outcomes in people who take Aptivus during pregnancy. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry website or calling 800-258-4263.
Aptivus may make estrogen-based birth control pills less effective. Use a nonhormonal form of birth control during treatment.
Talk with your healthcare provider before breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may pass HIV-1 to a child who does not have HIV-1. It may also make HIV-1 harder to treat in a child who has HIV-1. A breastfed child may also have side effects similar to those seen in adults.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Aptivus for HIV?
In studies of adults who had taken HIV medicines before, Aptivus was used with ritonavir and other HIV medicines.
By week 48:
How long does Aptivus take to work for HIV?
The studies measured treatment results through week 48. They also checked by week 8 for people who did not have an early response.
The study does not give an exact time when a person will feel or notice improvement.
Should I take Aptivus for HIV if I have an infection?
People with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C have a higher risk of serious liver problems while taking Aptivus with ritonavir.
Liver problems, including hepatitis and liver failure, have been reported. Some cases were fatal.
Your healthcare provider should check your liver before treatment and often during treatment.
Stop taking Aptivus with ritonavir and get medical care if you develop signs of hepatitis.
Aptivus is also not recommended for people who have never taken HIV medicines before.
On myHIVteam, people share their experiences with HIV, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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