What is "amprenavir"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) An anti-retroviral drug of the protease inhibitor class that is used in to treat HIV infected patients.

Amprenavir (original brand name Agenerase, GlaxoSmithKline) is a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV infection. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on April 15, 1999, for twice-a-day dosing instead of needing to be taken every eight hours. The convenient dosing came at a price, as the dose required is 1,200 mg, delivered in 8 (eight) very large 150 mg gel capsules or 24 (twenty-four) 50 mg gel capsules twice daily.

Production of amprenavir was discontinued by the manufacturer on December 31, 2004; a prodrug version ( fosamprenavir), is available.