What is indinavir?
Indinavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Indinavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.
Indinavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Indinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Indinavir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about indinavir?
Do not take indinavir with amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), alprazolam (Xanax), oral midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Methergine.
These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking indinavir.
There are many other medicines that can interact with indinavir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Taking indinavir will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking indinavir?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to indinavir.
Do not take indinavir with amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), alprazolam (Xanax), oral midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking indinavir.
Before taking indinavir, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
kidney disease, or a history of kidney stones;
diabetes;
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia; or
high cholesterol or triglycerides.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take indinavir.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
You should not breast-feed while you are using indinavir. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.