Technivie

Technivie is antiviral drugs used together with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection without cirrhosis. This drug requires a prescription.

Before using Technivie, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications. Studies in children regarding the correlation of age to the effects of Technivie have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established.

Studies in the elderly regarding the correlation of age to the effects of Technivie have not been performed but geriatric-specific problems are not expected to limit the utility of Technivie.

Indications of harm to the fetus have not been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women or animals are still inadequate. Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits of taking this drug while breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription and nonprescription drugs. Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects.

Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Inform your healthcare professional if you have any other medical problems such as liver disease.

To use Technivie properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This drug must be taken together with ribavirin for the full time of treatment to ensure complete drug therapy.

This drug must be used on a regular schedule to keep it at a maintained level in the blood for optimal effects. You can take this drug with food. The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed.

The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug. Adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection without cirrhosis are given 2 tablets once a day with ribavirin for 12 weeks.

Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

Before using Technivie, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. Unwanted effects can be screened using blood tests.

This drug has teratogenic potential and may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Inform your healthcare professional if a pregnancy occurs while you are using these drugs.

This drug combination is contraindicated for use with:

• Alfuzosin (UroxatralВ®)
• Colchicine (ColcrysВ®)
• Efavirenz (SustivaВ®)
• Ethinyl estradiol (NorinylВ®, Ortho EvraВ®)
• Oral midazolam (VersedВ®)
• Pimozide (OrapВ®)
• Rifampin (RifadinВ®
• RimactaneВ®)
• Sildenafil (RevatioВ®)
• St. John's wort
• Triazolam (HalcionВ®)
• Certain medicines to lower cholesterol (such as lovastatin, simvastatin, MevacorВ®, ZocorВ®)
• Medicine to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, TegretolВ®)
• Or ergot medicines (such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, CafergotВ®, ErgomarВ®, WigraineВ®) to prevent very serious medical problems.

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have symptoms of a liver problem such as feeling weak or fatigued, have the onset of confusion, have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.

Consult with your healthcare professional before you take any other prescription or nonprescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Technivie. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Chills
• Clay-colored stools
• Dark urine
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Headache
• Itching or rash
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting of blood
• Yellow eyes or skin
• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.