Indinavir is used to treat HIV infection.

Common use

Indinavir is used to treat HIV infection in some patients when used in combination with certain other medicines. It is an HIV protease inhibitor. It works by slowing the growth of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.



Dosage and directions

Take Indinavir by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. You may also take it with a light meal that is low in calories, fat, and protein. Take Indinavir with water. You may also take it with other liquids such as skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea. It is recommended to drink extra fluids.



Precautions

Before using Indinavir discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning become pregnant or breast-feeding, if you have allergy to food, medicines, or other substances, if you are taking any prescribed or not prescribed medications, herbal products, or dietary supplements, have cirrhosis, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, kidney stones, urinary problems (white blood cells in the urine), or blood problems (hemophilia hemolytic anemia).



Contraindications

Do not use Indinavir if you are allergic to its components; you are taking alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, atazanavir, certain benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam, oral midazolam, triazolam), cisapride, conivaptan, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergonovine, ergotamine), erythromycin, certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin), pimozide, a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole), ranolazine, rifampin, salmeterol, a serotonin 5-HT1 receptor antagonist (eg, eletriptan, sumatriptan), St. John's wort, or terfenadine, sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).



Possible side effect

The common side effects are bad taste in the mouth; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; tiredness; vomiting; weakness. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following severe side effects: allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back, flank, or side pain; bloody or cloudy urine; change in the amount of urine; changes in appetite; chest pain; chills; confusion; dark urine; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; flushed face; heartburn; ingrown toenails; joint or muscle aches; mental or mood changes; numbness of the mouth; one-sided numbness or weakness; pain while urinating; pale stools; red, swollen, or blistered skin; severe dizziness or fainting; severe or persistent stomach pain or upset; speech problems; swelling of the feet, hands, lower legs, or stomach; unusual hair loss; unusual paleness; unusual tiredness; unusually dry skin; vision changes; weight changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.



Drug interaction

Tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs especially about the following: amiodarone, astemizole, certain benzodiazepines (alprazolam, midazolam,triazolam), cisapride, ergot alkaloids (ergotamine), erythromycin, pimozide, salmeterol, or terfenadine; alfuzosin, conivaptan, certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin), ranolazine, serotonin 5-HT1 receptor antagonists (eletriptan, sumatriptan), or sildenafil (for PAH); atazanavir; proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole), rifampin, or St. John's wort.



Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Indinavir by more than 2 hours, do not take that dose. Take your next dose as scheduled. If you miss the dose by less than 2 hours, take that dose immediately and then return to your regular dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of Indinavir. Do not take 2 doses at once.



Overdose

If you thin that overdosed Indinavir seek urgent medical help. Overdose symptoms are blood in the urine; diarrhea; lower back pain; nausea; vomiting.



Storage

Store Indinavir at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in the original bottle. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Indinavir out of the reach of children and away from pets.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.