Clinical information
Common uses
- HIV infection (always combined with ritonavir)
Common side effects
- feeling sick and vomiting
- diarrhoea
- stomach pain
- tiredness
- rash
Cautions
- must always be taken with ritonavir
- never combined with rifampin — severe liver toxicity
- many medicines are contraindicated with it
- not for severe liver impairment
Interactions
- rifampin (TB antibiotic) — contraindicated, severe liver toxicity
- ergot medicines, cisapride, pimozide, triazolam, oral midazolam — contraindicated
- simvastatin and lovastatin — contraindicated, muscle damage risk
- St John's wort and garlic capsules — reduce its effect
- oestrogen contraceptives — less effective; extra contraception needed
- warfarin, digoxin, immunosuppressants — monitoring needed
Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, saquinavir mesylate (Invirase) label, setid b8b53129-06ab-4143-b9b7-7675e49a52ef (accessed 2026-08-16)