Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is treated with indinavir in combination with other drugs. Protease inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes indinavir. It functions by lowering the level of HIV in the blood. Although indinavir does not treat HIV, it may lessen your risk of getting AIDS and other diseases connected to HIV, such as cancer or serious infections. The risk of spreading the HIV virus to others may be reduced by taking these medications, engaging in safer sexual behaviour, and changing other aspects of one’s lifestyle.

Indinavir is available as a pill to be swallowed. Typically, it is taken every eight hours (three times a day). Indinavir should be taken every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the indinavir directions exactly. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Indinavir should be taken with water, skim or nonfat milk, juice, coffee, or tea, either one or two hours before or after meals, and on an empty stomach. In contrast, if indinavir makes you feel queasy, you can take it with a small meal such dry toast or cornflakes with skim or nonfat milk. Inquire with your doctor or pharmacist about the foods you can consume while taking indinavir.

The capsule should not be chewed or crushed, but it can be opened and used with fruit puree (such as banana).

Indinavir should still be used even if you feel OK. Without first consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking indinavir.

If you suffer specific side effects, your doctor might have to stop your therapy. Tell your doctor how you are feeling while receiving indinavir medication.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

In some cases, indinavir is combined with other drugs to treat HIV infection in healthcare professionals and other people who have come into contact with HIV-infected blood, tissues, or other bodily fluids. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medication for your illness with your doctor.

Before taking indinavir,

• If you have any allergies, including to indinavir, any other drugs, or any of the substances in indinavir capsules, notify your doctor right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• If you are taking any of the following medications, let your doctor know: ergot-type drugs such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot), and methylergonovine (Methergine); alfuzosin (Uroxatral); alprazolam (Xanax); amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone); cisapride (Propulsid); lurasidone (Latuda), midazolam (Versed) taken orally, pimozide (Orap), sildenafil (only the Revatio brand is used to treat pulmonary illness), simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin), or triazolam (Halcion). Most likely, your doctor will advise against taking indinavir.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take. Incorporate any of the following: bosentan (Tracleer); calcium-channel blockers such felodipine, nicardipine, and nifedipine (Adalat, Afeditab, Procardia), as well as amlodipine (Norvasc, in Amturnide, in Tekamlo); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac); colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, in Col-Probenecid); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, among others); cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), and rosuvastatin (Crestor); dexamethasone; other HIV drugs include atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz), delavirdine, fluconazole (Diflucan), fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent, in Advair, in Dymista), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Extina, Nizoral, Xolegel) (Rescriptor), drugs for irregular heartbeats like lidocaine (Glydo, Xylocaine) and quinidine (in Nuedexta); efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra, in Viekira Pak), and saquinavir (Invirase); drugs that weaken the immune system, such as tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), and cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); midazolam (Versed) administered intravenously; phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), quetiapine (Seroquel), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), and several phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) used for erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), trazodone, salmeterol (Serevent, in Advair), and venlafaxine (Effexor). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even those not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with indinavir.
• Please let your doctor know if you are taking any herbal supplements, especially St. John’s wort.
• Take didanosine (Videx) at least an hour before or after indinavir if you’re taking it.
• Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, renal or liver disease, haemophilia (a bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly), or any of these conditions.
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking indinavir. Breastfeeding is not advised if you have HIV or are on indinavir.
• You should be aware that your body fat can change or accumulate in several places, including your breasts, upper back, neck, chest, and abdomen. It is also possible to lose fat from the face, arms, and legs.
• You should be aware that even if you do not currently have diabetes, you could develop hyperglycemia (increases in blood sugar) while taking this drug. If you experience any of the following side effects while taking indinavir: severe thirst, frequent urination, intense hunger, blurred vision, or weakness, call your doctor right away. Calling your doctor as soon as you experience any of these symptoms is crucial because untreated high blood sugar can result in the deadly disease known as ketoacidosis. If ketoacidosis is not treated right away, it could become life-threatening. Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, and diminished consciousness are all signs of ketoacidosis.
• You should be aware that when you take HIV medicine, your immune system could become stronger and start to fight other infections that were already present in your body. You might begin to exhibit signs of those infections as a result of this. At any point throughout your indinavir therapy, be sure to let your doctor know if you experience any new or worsening symptoms.

Every 24 hours, consume at least 48 ounces (1.5 litres), or six 8-ounce (240 millilitre) glasses, of water or other liquids.

If you plan to consume grapefruits or grapefruit juice while taking this medication, consult your doctor.

Take the missing dose as soon as you remember it if you miss it by less than two hours. However, omit the missed dose and carry on with your regular dosing plan if you miss it by more than two hours. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Indinavir might have negative effects. If this symptom is severe or does not go away, let your doctor know:

• Alterations in taste

Indinavir might have negative effects. Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Get emergency medical care if you encounter any of the following symptoms, or call your doctor right away:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Blistered or flaking skin
• Back ache
• The side of your body hurts
• Lower and middle stomach ache
• Urinary blood
• Aching or weakened muscles
• Nausea
• Extreme fatigue
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Reduced appetite
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Flu-like signs
• Urine that is dark yellow or brown.
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Breathing difficulty
• Rapid heart rate
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Paleness

Indinavir may have other negative effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Your capsules come with a desiccant (drying agent); keep this in your medicine bottle at all times. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Side of your body hurts
• Urinary blood
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how well you are responding to indinavir, your doctor will request a few lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.