Indinavir

Indinavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors, which slow the spread of HIV infection in the body. It is usually taken with other antiviral medications. Indinavir is not a cure and may not decrease the number of HIV-related illnesses. Indinavir does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Indinavir comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day). Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take indinavir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take indinavir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking indinavir without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Indinavir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
stomach pain</li>
<li>
change in the distribution of body fat</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
rash</li>
<li>
back pain</li>
<li>
pain in the side of your body</li>
<li>
blood in urine</li>
<li>
muscle pain</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
excessive tiredness</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
pain in the upper right part of your stomach</li>
<li>
flu-like symptoms</li>
<li>
dark yellow or brown urine</li>
<li>
yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
<li>
paleness</li></ul>Indinavir may increase the sugar level in your blood. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
frequent urination</li>
<li>
increased thirst</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
dizziness</li>
<li>
headache</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking indinavir, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to indinavir or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially astemizole (Hismanal), atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin (Baycol), cisapride (Propulsid), clarithromycin (Biaxin), delavirdine (Rescriptor), dexamethasone (Decadron), efavirenz (Sustiva), fluconazole (Diflucan), isoniazid (INH), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), lovastatin (Mevacor), medications for seizures, midazolam (Versed), oral contraceptives, quinidine, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), sildenafil (Viagra), simvastatin (Zocor), terfenadine (Seldane), and triazolam (Halcion). tell your doctor what vitamins and herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. if you are taking didanosine, take it at least one hour before or after indinavir. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hemophilia or kidney or liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse. tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.