Aptivus® (tipranavir) for resistant HIV-1, used with ritonavir

What Aptivus Is and How It Works

Aptivus® (tipranavir) is a protease inhibitor for HIV-1. It is used with ritonavir and other antiretrovirals in adults who have used HIV medicines before and have resistant virus. It is taken by mouth, usually twice daily with food. People often ask about Aptivus price and access. We help patients compare options, including Aptivus without insurance, through clear pricing and support. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Our pharmacists review every valid prescription before dispensing, and our team offers friendly customer-service chat during posted hours. We ship to the US and carry brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices.

We work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies abroad when needed, so you receive authentic brand products, a broad selection, and fair pricing. Tipranavir blocks the HIV protease enzyme. This stops new virus from maturing and lowers viral load. It must be combined with ritonavir, which boosts tipranavir levels by slowing its breakdown. Do not use Aptivus® as monotherapy.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your prescriber’s directions and the product label. Typical adult dosing is tipranavir 750 mg with ritonavir 200 mg, taken twice daily with food.

• Start as prescribed with a ritonavir booster; do not skip ritonavir.
• Swallow each dose with food to improve absorption and stomach comfort.
• If you miss a dose by a few hours, take it with food as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next dose, skip and resume your schedule. Do not double doses.
• Keep consistent dosing times to maintain drug levels.
• Do not stop therapy without medical guidance; viral rebound can occur.

Storage and travel tips:

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F). Keep in the original container, tightly closed.
• Protect from moisture and excess heat. Do not freeze liquids if supplied.
• When traveling, keep doses in your carry-on at room temperature.
• Carry a copy of your prescription and a list of medicines.
• Use a travel pill organizer only if it keeps tablets dry and labeled.

Benefits and Savings

Aptivus® can reduce viral load in patients with multi-drug resistant HIV-1. When combined with an active background regimen, it may help raise CD4 counts and improve treatment durability. Twice-daily dosing with food is routine for boosted protease inhibitors, and drug levels are supported by ritonavir.

Ordering through YouDrugstore is simple and secure. We offer Canadian pricing, which can mean 60–80% savings compared with typical US costs. We also display options for patients buying without insurance, including clear per-month estimates when multi-month supplies are available. Reorder reminders can help you stay on track.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain
• Headache, tiredness
• Rash
• Increased cholesterol and triglycerides
• Elevated liver enzymes

Serious risks and warnings:

• Severe liver toxicity. Risk is higher with hepatitis B or C. Your prescriber will monitor labs.
• Intracranial hemorrhage has occurred. Report severe headache, confusion, or weakness.
• Pancreatitis. Seek care for severe abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting.
• Severe skin reactions. Stop and get urgent care for blistering or widespread rash.
• Bleeding in patients with hemophilia
• Hyperglycemia or new-onset diabetes
• Immune reconstitution syndrome after starting therapy

Important interactions include rifampin, St. John’s wort, certain sedatives (oral midazolam, triazolam), ergot medicines, some antiarrhythmics, and cholesterol drugs like simvastatin or lovastatin. Warfarin and some direct oral anticoagulants may need close monitoring. Hormonal contraceptives can be less effective; use barrier methods. Tipranavir has a sulfonamide group, so discuss any sulfa allergy history with your clinician.

Onset Time

With a fully active background regimen, you may see a drop in viral load within 2–4 weeks. CD4 count improvements can take longer. Your healthcare provider will track labs over several months to judge response and adjust therapy if needed.

Compare With Alternatives

Aptivus® is often reserved for patients with protease inhibitor resistance or prior treatment failure due to its safety profile and interaction burden. Other protease inhibitor options include lopinavir/ritonavir and darunavir. Some patients may discuss Kaletra® (lopinavir/ritonavir), which is also boosted and taken twice daily in many cases. Darunavir, often boosted with ritonavir or cobicistat, can be an alternative with a different resistance profile.

Nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors are part of most regimens. For example, Viread® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a backbone option in many combinations, depending on resistance and tolerance. Your prescriber selects a regimen based on resistance testing, prior history, comorbidities, and potential interactions. Aptivus® should always be part of a complete combination regimen, not used alone.

Combination Therapy

Aptivus® must be used with ritonavir to reach effective levels. It is then combined with other antiretroviral agents to build a suppressive regimen. Your care team may include integrase inhibitors, NRTIs, or NNRTIs, depending on resistance testing. Keep all medicines consistent, take with food as directed, and attend lab follow-ups. Do not change doses on your own.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Aptivus® may suit adults with treatment-experienced HIV-1 and evidence of protease inhibitor resistance. It is not recommended in moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Discuss sulfa allergy history, bleeding risks, pregnancy plans, and all current medicines. Women using estrogen-based birth control should add a barrier method. Regular liver and lipid monitoring is routine.

You can manage costs in several ways. Multi-month supplies can lower the per-month Aptivus cost. Ask our team about current bulk options when available. For current promotions and an Aptivus coupon, see youdrugstore.com/promotions. We also offer gentle reorder reminders so you do not miss doses. If you pay cash, ask our staff about the Aptivus cash price and any seasonal discounts. Patients who are uninsured or out of pocket can still access Canadian pricing, and we can discuss options for Aptivus without insurance.

To learn more about the condition, visit our Hiv Infection page. For community awareness, see our article on National Hiv Testing Day 2025 Get Tested Know Your Status.

Authoritative Sources

See the FDA Prescribing Information for tipranavir (Aptivus) for full safety and interactions: FDA Aptivus (tipranavir) label.

Health Canada’s Drug Product Database provides official Canadian product data: Health Canada Drug Product Database.

Manufacturer information for Aptivus may be available from Boehringer Ingelheim: Boehringer Ingelheim site.

YouDrugstore ships from Canada with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping. Our team is ready to help you place an order online or by phone where available, and our pharmacists can address medication questions.

This content is general information. It does not replace advice from your healthcare provider. Use medicines only as prescribed. Always read the patient information that comes with your medication.