Nelfinavir (Viracept)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Nelfinavir

What it is

Nelfinavir is an HIV protease inhibitor that blocks the viral enzyme HIV needs to make mature virus particles. It was used in combination HIV treatment, including in pregnancy, and has been replaced by newer medicines. It was sold as Viracept.

How genes come into it

Nelfinavir is turned by CYP2C19 into M8, an active breakdown product, and broken down further by CYP3A4. Studies linked CYP2C19 poor metabolizer status to higher nelfinavir and lower M8 levels, and looked at ABCB1 for response and side effects. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Nelfinavir. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (2 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Level 3. Efficacy, Toxicity: HIV infectious disease. 6.

CYP2C19 rs4244285: Level 3. Metabolism/PK: HIV infectious disease, Pancreatic Neoplasms. 2.

Metabolism (3 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

CYP2C19 CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2: CYP2C19 *1/*2 is associated with decreased metabolism of nelfinavir in people with as compared to CYP2C19 *1/*1.

CYP2C19 CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2: CYP2C19 *1/*2 is associated with increased concentrations of nelfinavir in people with Pancreatic Neoplasms as compared to CYP2C19 *1/*1.

CYP2C19 rs4244285: Genotype AA is associated with decreased metabolism of nelfinavir in people with HIV Infections as compared to genotype GG.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Agenerase (Protease Inhibitors)

Crixivan (Protease Inhibitors)

Kaletra (Protease Inhibitors)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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