Indinavir capsules

What are indinavir capsules?

INDINAVIR (Crixivan®) is an antiviral drug called a protease inhibitor. Indinavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Indinavir may reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood.Indinavir is used in combination with other drugs to treat the HIV virus. Indinavir will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. You may still develop other infections or conditions associated with HIV. Generic indinavir capsules are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take indinavir?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes or high blood sugar

• hemophilia

• high blood cholesterol, lipids or triglycerides

• history of kidney stones

• history of pancreatitis

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to indinavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• breast-feeding

• pregnancy or recent attempts to get pregnant

How should I take this medicine?

Take indinavir capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take the capsules at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take the capsules with a drink of water, skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea. You may take indinavir with a light meal, such as dry toast with jelly, juice, and coffee with skim milk and sugar; or corn flakes, skim milk, and sugar. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

To help to make sure that your anti-HIV therapy works as well as possible, be very careful to take all of your medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with indinavir?

• amiodarone

• aripiprazole

• astemizole

• atazanavir

• birth control pills or other hormonal birth control medicines (like the patch, ring, or injections)

• carbamazepine

• certain medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping

• certain medicines for chest pain or high blood pressure, like calcium channel blockers (examples: amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil)

• cisapride

• citalopram

• cyclosporine

• delavirdine

• didanosine, ddI

• dihydroergotamine

• dofetilide

• doxercalciferol

• efavirenz

• eplerenone

• ergotamine

• escitalopram

• ethotoin

• fluconazole

• itraconazole

• ketoconazole

• medicines for diabetes

• medicines to lower your cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin

• megestrol

• methadone

• mifepristone, RU-486

• nelfinavir

• omeprazole

• paricalcitol

• phenytoin

• pimozide

• red yeast rice

• rifabutin

• rifampin

• rifapentine

• ritonavir

• sildenafil

• sirolimus

• St. John's wort

• tacrolimus

• tadalafil

• terfenadine

• trazodone

• vardenafil

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking indinavir?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your prescriber or health care professional.

Indinavir will not cure HIV and you can still get other illnesses or complications associated with your disease. Taking indinavir does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone.

Make sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking indinavir. Try to drink at least 6 glasses of water a day (48 ounces). If you notice pain or difficulty passing urine, call your health care provider immediately.

Do not take antacids or didanosine, ddI, within 1 hour of taking indinavir. Antacids may decrease the amount of indinavir you absorb.

What side effects might I notice from taking indinavir?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blood in the urine

• difficulty or pain passing urine

• pain in the back or kidney

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• severe dizziness

• skin rash

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• yellowing of skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• acid reflux

• back pain

• changes in taste

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• dry skin

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach pain

• tiredness or weakness

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Indinavir capsules are sensitive to moisture and should remain in the original container. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.