Indinavir

Conditions Treated

Indinavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors, which slow the spread of HIV infection in the body. It is usually taken with other antiviral medications. Indinavir is not a cure and may not decrease the number of HIV-related illnesses. Indinavir does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Indinavir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• stomach pain
• change in the distribution of body fat

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• back pain
• pain in the side of your body
• blood in urine
• muscle pain
• upset stomach
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of your stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• dark yellow or brown urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• paleness

Indinavir may increase the sugar level in your blood. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• frequent urination
• increased thirst
• weakness
• dizziness
• headache

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Indinavir comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day). Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take indinavir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take indinavir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking indinavir without talking to your doctor.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Take indinavir on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals, with plenty of fluids (an 8-ounce [240-milliliter] glass of water). However, if indinavir upsets your stomach, it may be taken with a light meal, such as dry toast or cornflakes with skim milk. Do not take with grapefruit juice. If you are also taking didanosine (DDI), take 1 hour apart on an empty stomach. Drink at least 48 ounces (1.5 liters), which is approximately six 8-ounce (240-milliliter) glasses, of water or other liquids every 24 hours.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking indinavir, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to indinavir or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially astemizole (Hismanal), atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin (Baycol), cisapride (Propulsid), clarithromycin (Biaxin), delavirdine (Rescriptor), dexamethasone (Decadron), efavirenz (Sustiva), fluconazole (Diflucan), isoniazid (INH), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), lovastatin (Mevacor), medications for seizures, midazolam (Versed), oral contraceptives, quinidine, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), sildenafil (Viagra), simvastatin (Zocor), terfenadine (Seldane), and triazolam (Halcion). tell your doctor what vitamins and herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. if you are taking didanosine, take it at least one hour before or after indinavir. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hemophilia or kidney or liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse. tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.