Aptivus is used for treating HIV and AIDS. It is only approved for use with other HIV medications (especially ritonavir) as part of an HIV "cocktail." Healthcare providers may occasionally recommend Aptivus for preventing HIV infection in people exposed to the virus (i.e., healthcare workers who come in contact with contaminated needle sticks).

Aptivus Uses: An Overview

Aptivus^® (tipranavir) is a prescription HIV and AIDS medication. It is part of a class of HIV medications known as protease inhibitors. Aptivus should always be used in combination with ritonavir (Norvir^®), another HIV medication used to make Aptivus more effective. It is usually reserved for people who have already tried other HIV medications and who have an HIV strain that is already resistant to more than one protease inhibitor.

 

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first reported in the United States in 1981. Since then, it has become a significant worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Initially, an HIV infection usually does not cause any obvious symptoms (see HIV Symptoms), and most people have no idea that they have been infected with the virus, unless they happen to be tested for it. However, by killing or damaging cells of the immune system, HIV eventually begins to progressively destroy the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers (see AIDS Symptoms). This is why people with AIDS often have infections and cancers that do not normally affect most people.

 

HIV is commonly spread through sexual contact with infected partners. Transmission also happens through contact with infected blood, which frequently occurs among IV drug users (who share needles or syringes contaminated with blood from someone infected with the virus). Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

 

Aptivus is almost always used as part of an HIV "cocktail." These cocktails usually consist of three or four (or sometimes five) different HIV medications (technically known as highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART). Using combinations of medications helps to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to one or more of the drugs. Ritonavir should always be one of the medications used in combination with Aptivus, since it helps Aptivus work better.