Indinavir

Indinavir is a prescription medication used in combination with antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

• Indinavir is available under the following different brand names: Crixivan

Common side effects of Indinavir include:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• headache
• numbness or tingling (especially around your mouth)
• mood changes
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)

Serious side effects of Indinavir include:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• painful or difficult urination
• pale or yellowed skin
• fever
• dark-colored urine
• confusion
• weakness
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• hunger
• dry mouth
• fruity breath odor
• drowsiness
• dry skin
• blurred vision
• weight loss
• pain in the side or lower back
• blood in your urine
• nausea
• upper stomach pain
• itching
• tiredness
• loss of appetite
• clay-colored stool
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• unexplained muscle pain
• tenderness
• weakness with fever
• unusual tiredness
• night sweats
• swollen glands
• mouth sores
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• weight loss
• chest pain
• dry cough
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• cold sores
• sores on the genital or anal area
• rapid heart rate
• anxiety
• irritableness
• weakness or prickly feeling
• eye movement problems
• trouble speaking or swallowing
• severe lower back pain
• loss of bladder or bowel control
• swelling in the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)
• menstrual changes
• impotence
• loss of interest in sex

Rare side effects of Indinavir include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Capsules

• 100 mg
• 200 mg
• 400 mg

HIV infection

Adult dosage

• 800 mg orally every 8 hours
• With ritonavir: 800 mg orally every 12 hours plus ritonavir 100-200 mg every 12 hours

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Indinavir has severe interactions with at least 34 other drugs.
• Indinavir has serious interactions with at least 160 other drugs.
• Indinavir has moderate interactions with at least 333 other drugs.
• Indinavir has minor interactions with at least 55 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Drugs that are contraindicated with Indinavir include alpha1-adrenoreceptor agonists (eg, alfuzosin), antiarrhythmics (amiodarone, bepridil, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine), rifampin, voriconazole, ergot derivatives (dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine), cisapride, St. John’s wort, lovastatin, simvastatin, lurasidone, pimozide, sildenafil (when used for pulmonary artery hypertension), midazolam, and triazolam

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Indinavir?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Indinavir?”

Cautions

• Proper hydration is required (1.5 L liquids/day) to counter the risk for nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis (much higher in children)
• Risks for fat redistribution, hemolytic anemia, hyperglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and immune reconstitution syndrome if used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs
• Separate from didanosine by 1 hour
• Monitor: LFTs every 6-12 weeks

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; contraindicated