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NAME
Indinavir |
BRAND
Crixivan |
CLASS
HIV protease inhibitor (PI) |
COST
$6,280/yr., $523/month |
STANDARD DOSE
Strict schedule of two 400 mg capsules (800mg) every 8 hours (q8h) on an empty stomach (an hour before or two hours after eating) or with low-fat snack (call for food list) if you miss a dose, take the next dose. 200 mg and 333 mg capsules available. |
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Headache, nausea, and kidney stones, which may lead to more serious problems such as kidney failure. Signs include back pain, fever, abdominal tenderness, and painful urination. Call your doctor immediately if pain develops in the middle to lower stomach or the back, or if there is blood in the urine. Other potential side effects include hair loss, changed skin color, severe skin reactions (such as horribly dry skin) fatigue or weakness, malaise (feeling unwell, as with the blahs, fatigue or a flu) nausea diarrhea loss of appetite ingrown toe nails (often requiring minor surgery) dry mouth, headache, taste changes, and liver toxicity. Increased uric acid indicates kidney damage. Symptoms include joint pain and arthritis. Hemolytic anemia, the premature destruction of red blood cells, is rare but dangerous; watch for unusual fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skins) or reddish brown urine, and monitor red blood cell counts. Watch out for other drugs also associated with this condition such as Septra and dapsone.) Protease inhibitors may cause high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) and perhaps associated heart disease. Lipodystrohy (body fat changes, including thinness of the face, arms and legs with or without fat accumulation in the stomach, breasts, and sometimes, the upper back) worsening or new cases of diabetes (symptoms include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and dry itchy skin; see your doctor promptly) and increase bleeding in hemophiliacs. |
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS
Do not use Zocor or Mevacor; suggested alternatives are Liptior, Lescol, Baycol, and Pravacal (looks best on paper for protease inhibitors) Viracept increase levels of crixian but doses of both drugs remain standard. Increase crixivan but doses of both drugs remain standard. Increase Crixivan to 1,000 mg three times a day when taken with Viramune or Sustiva. Alcohol consumption may increase risk of stones. Reduce dosage if using Nizoral (600 mg every 8 hours) Do not take with Seldane, Hismanal, Halicon, Versed ergot medications (such as Wigraine and Cargeot, in any form - serious interactions seen with dilation during gynecological exams) and rifampin. Protease inhibitors increase blood levels of Viagra (sidenfil citrate) and Viagra dose should be started at 12.5 mg and increased as needed and tolerated. It's recommended that people do not exceed 25 mg in a 48-hour period because of potential for fatal reaction. |
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