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Indinavir |
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What is Indinavir and why is it prescribed? Indinavir is used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Indinavir 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 Indinavir cannot eliminate HIV already present in the body, it can reduce the amount of virus available to infect other cells. Indinavir can be taken alone or in combination with other HIV drugs such as Retrovir. Because Indinavir and Retrovir attack the virus in different ways, the combination is likely to be more effective than either drug alone. It is important that you drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of liquid (preferably water) daily while taking Indinavir. If you do not get enough liquid, you may develop kidney stones and have to temporarily stop taking Indinavir or even discontinue it altogether. How should you take Indinavir? Follow your doctors directions for taking Indinavir. Do not share Indinavir with anyone and do not take more than your recommended dosage. To ensure maximum absorption, do not take Indinavir with food. Instead, take it with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. (Indinavir may also be taken with liquids such as skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea, or even with a light meal such as dry toast with jelly, juice, and coffee with skim milk and sugar, or corn flakes with skim milk and sugar.) If you miss a dose skip it and take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double the dose. Indinavir capsules are sensitive to moisture. Store Indinavir 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. Are there any Indinavir side effects? Indinavir side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Possible Indinavir side effects may include abdominal distention and pain, allergic reactions, anemia, back pain, bladder infections, blood in the urine, changes in taste, chest pain and heart disorders, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, discolored skin, dizziness, drowsiness, dry skin and mouth, fatigue, general feeling of illness, hair loss, headache, hives, indigestion, inflamed blood vessels, ingrown toenails, insomnia, itching, joint pain, kidney problems, liver problems, loss of appetite, nausea, numbness of the mouth, pain in the side, rash, redistribution of body fat, skin discoloration, stroke, vomiting, weakness, and yellow skin or eyes. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Indinavir? If Indinavir is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Do not take Indinavir with rifampin (Rifadin); it reduces Indinavir's effectiveness. Also avoid the following medications while taking Indinavir: Ergot-based drugs (such as Cafergot), Lovastatin (Mevacor), Midazolam (Versed), Pimozide (Orap), Simvastatin (Zocor), and Triazolam (Halcion). The combination may cause serious or life-threatening effects. It's also best to avoid combining Indinavir with St. John's Wort, which reduces Indinavir's effect. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Indinavir with Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Cerivastatin (Baycol), Clarithromycin (Biaxin), Delavirdine (Rescriptor), Dexamethasone (Decadron), Didanosine (Videx), Efavirenz (Sustiva), Fluconazole (Diflucan), Fluvastatin (Lescol), Heart medications known as calcium channel blockers (including Cardizem, Plendil, and Procardia), Isoniazid (Nydrazid), Itraconazole (Sporanox), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Ortho-Novum, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Quinidine (Quinidex), Rifabutin (Mycobutin), Rifampin (Rifadin), or Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Trimpex, Septra). Check with your doctor before using Viagra while on Indinavir. Combining the two increases the risk of side effects from Viagra, including low blood pressure, vision problems, and a dangerously prolonged erection. If an erection lasts more than 4 hours, seek medical help immediately to avoid permanent damage to the penis. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Indinavir. This kind of juice can reduce the drug's effectiveness. Are there any special warnings about Indinavir? Although Indinavir 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 such as certain types of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and fungal infection. Therefore, it is important that you remain under the care of a doctor and keep all your follow-up appointments. Indinavir is not a cure for HIV infection, and it does not reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to others. Protease inhibitors such as Indinavir have been known to trigger diabetes or worsen existing diabetes. If you have diabetes, the dosages of your diabetes medications may have to be adjusted. People taking HIV medications may also experience a redistribution of body fat. Cases of liver failure and death have occurred in patients treated with Indinavir and other medications. If you have a liver problem, particularly cirrhosis of the liver, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Kidney problems, including kidney and urinary stones, are also a possibility, so alert the doctor if you have any type of kidney disease. Some patients have developed severe anemia while taking Indinavir. If this problem surfaces, you will have to stop taking the drug. If you have hemophilia, you should also be aware that spontaneous bleeding has occurred in hemophilia victims taking protease inhibitors such as Indinavir. |
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