INDINAVIR

PRONUNCIATION- in-DIN-a-vir

OTHER NAMES- Crixivan

WHY THIS MEDICATION IS GIVEN
Indinavir is used for the treatment of HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS. Indinavir will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. Indinavir will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medication may continue to have the problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Make sure your doctor knows if you have any of the following medical conditions:

Alcoholism (history of), cirrhosis of the liver, or liver disease - Patients with these medical problems may have an increased chance of side effects and therefore may require a lower dose of indinavir.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any of the following medications:

Ketoconazole (Nizoral), rifabutin (Mycobutin), or rifampin (Rifadin) - These medications interfere with the breakdown of indinavir, and therefore you may need a lower dose.
Astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), midazolam (Versed), terfenadine (Seldane), or triazolam (Halcion) - Taking indinavir while taking any of these medications may significantly increase your risk of serious or life threatening side effects.

HOW TO TAKE
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Keep taking indinavir for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with you doctor first. It is important that you take indinavir on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal), with a full glass of water. If you cannot take indinavir on an empty stomach you may take it with skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea, or with a light meal, such as dry toast with jelly or a bowl of corn flakes with skim milk. A high fat meal greatly decreases the amount of indinavir that gets into your body.

If you are also taking didanosine (ddI), you must take them at least an hour apart.

It is very important that while taking indinavir you drink at least 48 ounces (1.5 liters) of liquid during the day to decrease the risk of developing kidney stones.

WHERE TO KEEP
Keep it in the bottle it came in and store it in a cool, dry place with the cap tightly closed. Indinavir is very sensitive to moisture, so make sure to keep the dessicant in the bottle. Keep the bottle out of reach of children.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Indinavir may cause diarrhea, stomachache, headache, feeling of weakness, or muscle soreness. These effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. If they become bothersome, check with your doctor.

If you notice any severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, skin rash and itching, flank pain, or notice any blood in your urine, call your doctor immediately.

© 1996 rfeld@ids2.idsonline.com
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