Biology Disease
Drugs and Medicines

Drug Name Indinavir sulfate oral

Indinavir sulfate oral Drug Category INDINAVIR CAPSULE - ORAL

Indinavir sulfate oral Drug Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. INDINAVIR CAPSULE - ORAL (in-DIN-uh-veer) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Crixivan USES: Indinavir is a protease inhibitor type of antiviral medication. It may be used in combination with other drugs to treat human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV). It works by slowing the growth of the virus. This drug is not a cure for HIV and does not prevent the passing of HIV to others. OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to prevent HIV after coming in contact with the virus. HOW TO USE: This medication is taken three times daily (every 8 hours) by mouth. It should be taken with water, skim milk, juice (except grapefruit juice), coffee or tea. It should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after a full meal. It may also be taken with a light snack such as dry toast with jelly or corn flakes. It should not be taken with a meal high in calories, fat or protein. Drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed. It is critical to take this medication every day exactly as prescribed. Do not interrupt treatment unless directed to do so by your doctor. SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects are nausea, stomach pain, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, insomnia, acid stomach and altered sense of taste. Less common side effects include constipation, gas, anxiety, cough, blurred vision and dizziness. Inform your doctor if these should persist or worsen. Report promptly: back or flank pain, blood in the urine, pain while urinating, change in the amount of urine, fast heartbeat, chills, fever, unusual fatigue, thirst, yellowing eyes/skin. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, dizziness, swelling, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver problems, kidney stones, diabetes, blood disorders, allergies (especially drug allergies). This medication should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you use, especially of: astemizole, cisapride, midazolam, triazolam, calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, felodipine), terfenadine, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), didanosine (didanosine has buffers that interfere with the absorption of indinavir), phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, other protease inhibitors, St John's wort, certain "statin" drugs (e.g., lovastatin), sildenafil. This drug may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flank pain, and bloody urine. NOTES: This medication does not cure HIV. Patients treated with indinavir may continue to acquire "opportunistic" infections associated with HIV. This medication also does not prevent transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of this drug. STORAGE: Indinavir capsules should be stored in their original bottle at room temperature 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C). Do not expose the medication to heat, sunlight or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep desiccant in bottle. MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).