Aptivus

What is this medication?

Aptivus is a prescription medicine used in combination with ritonavir to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1, which is commonly known as HIV-1. It belongs to a class of medications called protease inhibitors and is typically prescribed for adults and children at least two years old who have already tried other antiretroviral treatments. This drug is often reserved for patients whose virus has become resistant to other protease inhibitors, as it works by blocking the enzyme that the virus needs to replicate and spread throughout the body.

While Aptivus helps to lower the viral load in the blood and can improve the count of immune cells, it is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. It must be taken exactly as directed by a healthcare professional and always alongside a low dose of ritonavir to be effective. Because the medication can interact with many other drugs and carries risks of serious side effects like liver damage or intracranial hemorrhage, patients must undergo regular medical testing and monitoring while they are on this treatment regimen.