Long-term viral suppression has yet to be determined. The adverse effect profile is characterized primarily by gastrointestinal side effects. In addition, skin rash appears to be more commonly seen with amprenavir in comparison to other protease inhibitors. Amprenavir offers the advantage of being dosed twice daily with or without food, and there are some in vitro data which suggest that fat redistribution and metabolic complications may occur less frequently with this agent. However, this will be confirmed only after the drug has been widely used.
Studies examining the use of amprenavir with other protease inhibitors are ongoing.
It is also being evaluated as part of a regimen for salvage therapy. Each available protease inhibitor has problematic issues regarding interactions, formulations, dosing, and resistance. Amprenavir does not eliminate any of these complicated issues but does offer clinicians another option in constructing an effective regimen. The most common adverse events seen with this agent include oily spotting, fecal urgency, fatty stools, and fecal incontinence. The recommended dose of orlistat is 120 mg three times daily with each meal.