Details

Indinavir is a protease inhibitor antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body. Indinavir is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Indinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. To make sure indinavir is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have cirrhosis or other liver disease kidney disease, or a history of kidney stones diabetes a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or high cholesterol or triglycerides.

Typical Uses

Indinavir is used with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Indinavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. It may be given with ritonavir, another protease inhibitor, to increase ("boost") the levels of indinavir. This helps indinavir work better.

Side Effects

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. Inform your doctor if you encounter signs of a new infection-fever, night sweats, swollen glands, mouth sores, diarrhoea, 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.

Drug Interactions

• Indinavir+atazanavir- Ask your doctor before using indinavir together with atazanavir. Using these medications together may cause high concentrations of the bile pigment bilirubin. This can result in jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications.
• Indinavir+amiodarone- Using amiodarone and indinavir are not recommended. Taking these drugs together can affect the rhythm of your heart. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or fast or pounding heartbeats.
• Indinavir+budesonide- Indinavir may significantly increase the absorption of budesonide into the blood stream. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as swelling, weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, muscle weakness, depression, acne, thinning skin, stretch marks, easy bruising, bone density loss, cataracts, menstrual irregularities, excessive growth of facial or body hair, and abnormal distribution of body fat, especially in the face, neck, back, and waist.
• Indinavir+ergotamine- Using ergotamine together with indinavir is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of ergotamine, which in some cases can lead to excessive narrowing of blood vessels in the body. This can reduce blood flow to vital organs and increase the risk of rare but serious side effects such as high blood pre

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Mechanism of action

Indinavir belongs to a class of medications called retroviral protease inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of an enzyme protease which results in formation of defective viruses and decreases the viral load in body. Indinavir also lowers the risk of getting illness related to HIV and improves immunity.

Pregnancy Category : C