Indinavir (By Mouth)

Indinavir (in-DIN-a-veer)

Treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Indinavir does not cure HIV or AIDS, but it may slow the progress of the disease.

Brand Name(s):

Crixivan
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to indinavir. You should not use this medicine if you are also using Seldane®, Propulsid®, Hismanal®, triazolam (Halcion®), midazolam (Versed®), pimozide (Orap®), or ergot medicines (such as Cafergot® or Wigraine®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed if you start or stop using other medicines. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Indinavir is used with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Use all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.
• Indinavir must be taken every eight hours, around the clock. Do not stop using this medicine or change the amount without asking your doctor.
• It is best to take the medicine on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Drink water, skim or non-fat milk, juice, coffee, or tea when taking the medicine. If you need to take the medicine with food, eat a small, low-fat, low-protein meal. Dry toast with jelly or corn flakes with skim milk and sugar are good meals to eat.
• Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water (1.5 liters) each day while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If you are more than two hours late, wait until it is time for your next usual dose and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, direct light, and moisture. Your medicine bottle has a small packet inside. Keep this packet inside the bottle with the capsules. It helps keep the capsules from getting damp. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Certain drugs should not be used while using indinavir. Using these drugs can cause very serious medical problems, or even death.
• Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using, especially St. John's wort, rifampin (Rifadin®), rifabutin (Mycobutin®), Viagra®, ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), other medicines to treat HIV/AIDS (such as delavirdine, didanosine, efavirenz, Rescriptor®, Sustiva®, Videx®), heart or blood pressure medicine (such as verapamil, Adalat®, Calan®, Cardizem®, Lotrel®, Plendil®, Procardia®, Tiazac®), or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as Baycol®, Lescol®, Lipitor®, Mevacor®, Pravachol®, Zocor®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or hemophilia (a bleeding disorder).
• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.
• You should not breast feed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Bloody or dark urine, change in how much or how often you urinate
• Increased hunger or thirst
• Sharp pain in your side or middle back
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
• Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.