Indinavir (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Crixivan

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 indinavir, 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:

• P450 CYP3A4 substrates such as:
• Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or
• Ergot derivatives (e.g., Ergotrate) or
• Midazolam (e.g., Versed) or
• Pimozide (e.g., Orap)
• 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

• Delavirdine (e.g., Rescriptor) - Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of indinavir in the body

• 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

• Efavirenz (e.g., Sustiva) - Use of this medicine with indinavir may decrease the amount of indinavir in the body

• HMG-CoA inhibitors such as
• Lovastatin (e.g., Mevacor ) or
• Simvastatin (e.g., Zocor) - Use of this medicine may cause an increased risk of certain side effects

• Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox) - Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of indinavir in the body

• Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)-Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of indinavir in the body

• 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

• Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin)-Use of this medicine with indinavir may decrease the amount of indinavir in the body

• St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - Use of this medicine with indinavir may cause indinavir not to work properly

• Sildenafil (e.g., Viagra) - Use of this medicine with indinavir may increase the amount of serious side effects

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:

• Hemophilia- Increased effects of hemophilia may occur when using indinavir

• Hepatitis- Increased effects of hepatitis and hepatic failure may happen when using indinavir

• Hyperbilirubinemia- may make these effects greater in newborn babies

• Liver disease-Effects of indinavir may be increased because of slower removal from the body

Last Revised: 02/12/2003