Indinavir

Description

Indinavir is an antiviral medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Indinavir prevents HIV from multiplying in your body. Indinavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

 

Manufacturer:		Average Delivery Time: 12 Days
Sold Under Brand Name: Indinavir		Exp. Date: Approx. March 2009

	Quantity	Strength	Price	Our Guarantees
	30 Cap(s)	400mg	$49.45
	60 Cap(s)	400mg	$95.92
	90 Cap(s)	400mg	$144.27

Indinavir (generic Crixivan) Review

Why is Crixivan prescribed?

Crixivan is used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV causes the immune system to break down so that it can no longer fight off other infections. This leads to the fatal disease known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

HIV thrives by taking over the immune system's vital CD4 cells (white blood cells) and using their inner workings to make additional copies of itself. Crixivan belongs to a class of HIV drugs called protease inhibitors, which work by interfering with an important step in the virus's reproductive cycle. Although Crixivan cannot eliminate HIV already present in the body, it can reduce the amount of virus available to infect other cells.

Crixivan can be taken alone or in combination with other HIV drugs such as Retrovir. Because Crixivan and Retrovir attack the virus in different ways, the combination is likely to be more effective than either drug alone.

How should you take Crixivan?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not share this medication with anyone and do not take more than your recommended dosage.

To ensure maximum absorption, do not take Crixivan with food. Instead, take it with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. (Crixivan may also be taken with liquids such as or tea, coffee, juice, skim milk, or even with a light meal.)

--If you miss a dose...

Skip it and take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double the dose.

--Storage instructions...

Crixivan capsules are sensitive to moisture. Store Crixivan at room temperature in the original container and leave the drying agent in the bottle to keep the medication dry. Keep the container tightly closed.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Crixivan

Avoid the following medications while taking Crixivan. The combination may cause serious or life-threatening effects.

Amiodarone (Pacerone)
Atazanavir (Reyataz)
Cisapride
Ergot-based drugs such as Migranal
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Midazolam (Versed)
Pimozide (Orap)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Methergine, Cafergot, Rifamate)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
St. John's wort
Triazolam (Halcion)

It's also best to avoid combining Crixivan with St. John's wort, which reduces Crixivan's effect.

Crixivan may interact with certain other drugs, and the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Crixivan with the following:

Bepridil (Vascor)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor, Pravachol
Cimetadine (Tagamet)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Delavirdine (Rescriptor)
Didanosine (Videx)
Efavirenz (Sustiva)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Heart medications known as calcium channel blockers, including Cardene, Plendil, and Procardia
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Lamivudine (Epivir)
Lidocaine (Lidoderm)
Methadone
Nelfinavir (Viracept)
Nevirapine (Viramune)
Ortho-Novum (ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Saquinavir (Fortovase)
Sirolimus (Rapamune)
Stavudine (Zerit)
Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Theophylline (Theo-Dur)
Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Trimpex, Lescol, Septra)
Zidovudine (Retrovir)

Special warnings about Crixivan

Although Crixivan reduces the amount of HIV in the blood and increases the white blood cell count, its long-term effect on survival is still unknown. The virus remains in the body, and you will continue to face the possibility of complications, including opportunistic infections (rare infections that develop when the immune system falters) such as tuberculosis, certain types of pneumonia, and fungal infection. Therefore, it is important that you remain under the care of a doctor and keep all your follow-up appointments.

Crixivan is not a cure for HIV infection, and it does not reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Therefore, you should continue to avoid practices that could spread HIV.

Protease inhibitors such as Crixivan have been known to trigger diabetes (high blood sugar levels) or worsen existing diabetes. If you have diabetes, the dosages of your diabetes medications may have to be adjusted.

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Crixivan.

• More common side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, vomiting, sore throat or upper respiratory tract infection, redistribution of body fat, rash, pain in the side, nausea, loss of appetite, liver problems, kidney stones, especially in children), jaundice (yellowish skin or eyes, itching, headache, fatigue, dry skin, drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, changes in taste, bladder stones, back pain, acid regurgitation, weakness

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

The recommended dose of Crixivan is 800 milligrams (usually two 400-milligram capsules) every 8 hours. Your doctor may lower the dose to 600 milligrams every 8 hours if you have mild-to-moderate liver problems due to cirrhosis. The dose will also need adjustment if you are taking Rescriptor, Sporanox, Nizoral, Mycobutin, or Videx.

CHILDREN

Crixivan is more likely to cause kidney stones in children than in adults. If the doctor finds it necessary to prescribe Crixivan anyway, dosage is calculated according to the size of the child.