Crixivan

Crixivan

     * Generic Name: indinavir sulfate
     * Brand Name: Crixivan


     * What is indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * What are the possible side effects of indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * How should I take indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Crixivan)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Crixivan)?
     * What should I avoid while taking indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * What other drugs will affect indinavir (Crixivan)?
     * Where can I get more information (Crixivan)?

What is indinavir (Crixivan)?

   Indinavir is an antiviral medicine that prevents human
   immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

   Indinavir is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired
   immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Indinavir is not a cure for HIV
   or AIDS.

   Indinavir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of indinavir (Crixivan)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * painful or difficult urination;
     * blood cell disorders--pale or yellowed skin, fever, dark colored
       urine, confusion or weakness;
     * high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination,
       hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin,
       blurred vision, weight loss;
     * symptoms of a kidney stone--pain in your side or lower back,
       painful or difficult urination, blood in your urine;
     * liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
       loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
       jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
     * (if you also use a "statin" cholesterol medicine)--unexplained
       muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also
       have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

   Indinavir may increase your risk of certain infections or
   autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system
   works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment
   with indinavir. Tell your doctor if you have:
     * signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands,
       mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
     * chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing,
       feeling short of breath;
     * cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
     * rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly
       feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
     * trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of
       bladder or bowel control; or
     * swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual
       changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.

   Common side effects may include:
     * stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
     * indigestion, heartburn;
     * changes in appetite;
     * headache, dizziness, feeling weak or tired;
     * back pain;
     * rash, itching, dry skin;
     * altered sense of taste;
     * cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore
       throat; or
     * changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
       arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about indinavir
(Crixivan)?

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using. Many drugs can interact with indinavir, and some drugs
   should not be used together.

   Crixivan Patient Information including How Should I Take
   HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments

   HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
   AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

   AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking indinavir
(Crixivan)?

   You should not use indinavir if you are allergic to it.

   Some medicines can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects
   when used with indinavir. Your doctor may need to change your treatment
   plan if you use any of the following drugs:
     * alfuzosin;
     * amiodarone;
     * cisapride;
     * sildenafil (Revatio, for treating pulmonary arterial
       hypertension);
     * antipsychotic medicine--lurasidone, pimozide;
     * ergot medicines--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine,
       methylergonovine;
     * medicine to lower cholesterol--lovastatin, simvastatin; or
     * sedative medicines--oral midazolam, alprazolam, triazolam.

   To make sure indinavir is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
   ever had:
     * cirrhosis or other liver disease;
     * kidney disease or kidney stones;
     * diabetes;
     * a bleeding disorder (indinavir may cause bleeding in people with
       hemophilia); or
     * high cholesterol.

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. HIV can be
   passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy.
   Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

   If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry.
   This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any
   effects of indinavir on the baby.

   Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby
   is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast
   milk.

   Indinavir is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take indinavir (Crixivan)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Indinavir works best if you take it on an empty stomach, at least 1
   hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

   You may also take indinavir with a light meal such as dry toast with
   jelly, or corn flakes with skim milk and sugar. Avoid eating a high-fat
   meal.

   Indinavir is usually taken every 8 hours around the clock. Take the
   medicine at the same times each day.

   Take indinavir with a full glass (8 ounces) of water, skim milk, juice,
   coffee, or tea. Drink at least 6 glasses of water each day to
   prevent kidney stones while you are taking indinavir.

   Use indinavir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
   refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

   While using indinavir, you will need frequent blood tests.

   HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all
   medications as directed by your doctor. Read the instructions provided
   with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule
   without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should
   remain under the care of a doctor.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the
   capsules in their original container, along with the packet or canister
   of moisture-absorbing preservative. Keep the bottle tightly closed when
   not in use.

   Crixivan Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments

   HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
   AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

   AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Crixivan)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 2
   hours late, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up
   the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Crixivan)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lower
   back pain, and blood in your urine.

What should I avoid while taking indinavir (Crixivan)?

   If you also take didanosine, take it on an empty stomach 1 hour before
   or 1 hour after you take indinavir.

   Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other
   people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes.
   Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission
   during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a
   healthy person.

What other drugs will affect indinavir (Crixivan)?

   Many drugs can interact with indinavir. Not all possible interactions
   are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and
   any you start or stop using, especially:
     * quetiapine;
     * rifampin;
     * St. John's wort;
     * heart or blood pressure medicine--amlodipine, felodipine,
       nifedipine, nicardipine, quinidine;
     * cholesterol medicine--atorvastatin (Lipitor),
       rosuvastatin (Crestor);
     * erectile dysfunction medicine--sildenafil (Viagra),
       tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra);
     * other HIV medicines--atazanavir, delavirdine, efavirenz,
       nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir;
     * seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenobarbital,
       phenytoin; or
     * steroid medicine--dexamethasone, prednisone, and others.

   This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
   indinavir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
   vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any
   healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information (Crixivan)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about indinavir.
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