Sometimes, if you develop resistance to one drug, you will also have resistance to other antiviral drugs. Resistance can develop quickly. It is very important to take protease inhibitors according to instructions, on schedule, and not to skip or reduce doses. The capsules are 200mg, so you will take 6 capsules every 8 hours. Researchers are studying twice a day dosing of saquinavir.
Some physicians prescribe saquinavir in combination with another protease inhibitor, ritonavir.
Studies are underway using a single daily dose of saquinavir taken with a small amount of ritonavir. Saquinavir should be taken within two hours after a full meal or a large snack. Your pharmacist should keep saquinavir refrigerated. When you take it home, you can refrigerate it, or else keep it below 77 F or 25 C and use it within three months. The side effects of saquinavir are usually mild.