| What is Crixivan? |
| Crixivan is an antiviral medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called protease inhibitors. Indinavir prevents HIV from multiplying in your body. Indinavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Crixivan is not a cure for HIV or AIDS it may also be used for purposes other than HIV. |
| What are the precautions before using this medicine? |
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For crixivan, the following should be considered:
Allergies —Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to indinavir. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Indinavir has not been studied in pregnant women. However, it has caused increased levels of a substance called bilirubin in the mother, which can cause jaundice. It is not known if it causes this effect in the baby. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding —It is not known whether indinavir passes into the breast milk in humans. However, it does pass into the milk in animals. Because it can cause serious unwanted effects, breast-feeding is usually not recommended while you are taking indinavir.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is limited recommendations comparing the use of indinavir in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults—Indinavir has not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes different side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking indinavir, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
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P450 CYP3A4 substrates such as: |
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Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or |
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Ergot derivatives (e.g., Ergotrate) or |
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Midazolam (e.g., Versed) or |
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Pimozide (e.g., Orap) |
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Triazolam (e.g., Halcion)—There is a possibility that indinavir may interfere with the removal of these medicines from the body, which could lead to serious side effects |
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Delavirdine (e.g., Rescriptor) — Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of indinavir in the body |
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Didanosine (e.g., Videx)—It is recommended that this medicine and indinavir be taken at least 1 hour apart so that both will be absorbed properly from the stomach |
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Efavirenz (e.g., Sustiva) — Use of this medicine with indinavir may decrease the amount of indinavir in the body |
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HMG-CoA inhibitors such as |
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Lovastatin (e.g., Mevacor ) or |
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Simvastatin (e.g., Zocor) — Use of this medicine may cause an increased risk of certain side effects |
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Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox) — Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of indinavir in the body |
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Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)—Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of indinavir in the body |
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Rifabutin (e.g., Mycobutin)—Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of rifabutin and decrease the amount of indinavir in the body |
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Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin)—Use of this medicine with indinavir may decrease the amount of indinavir in the body |
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St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — Use of this medicine with indinavir may cause indinavir not to work properly |
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Sildenafil (e.g., Viagra) — Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of serious side effects |
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| Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of indinavir. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: |
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Hemophilia— Increased effects of hemophilia may occur when using indinavir |
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Hepatitis— Increased effects of hepatitis and hepatic failure may happen when using indinavir |
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Hyperbilirubinemia— may make these effects greater in newborn babies |
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Liver disease—Effects of indinavir may be increased because of slower removal from the body |
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| What are the side effects of crixivan? |
The most common side effects are nausea, stomach pain, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, insomnia, acid stomach and altered sense of taste.
Less common side effects include constipation, gas, anxiety, cough, blurred vision and dizziness. Inform your doctor if these should persist or worsen.
Report promptly: back or flank pain, blood in the urine, pain while urinating, change in the amount of urine, fast heartbeat, chills, fever, unusual fatigue, thirst, yellowing eyes/skin. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication.
The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown.
Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. In the unlikely event you have a serious allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, severe dizziness, swelling, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. |
| Who should not take Crixivan? |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver disease. You may not be able to take Crixivan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of these conditions. |
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that Crixivan not be taken by HIV-positive pregnant women. When taken during pregnancy, Crixivan levels in the bloodstream can become lower than normal, which can lead to drug resistance. HIV-positive women who become pregnant should discuss the benefits and possible side effects of anti-HIV treatment to help protect their babies from HIV |
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It is not known whether Crixivan passes into breast milk and what effects it may have on a nursing baby. However, to prevent HIV transmission of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that HIV-positive mothers not breast-feed.
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