CRIXIVAN (INDINAVIR)

Crixivan Information

Crixivan is a type of drug called antiviral medication. This type of drug belongs to the category of HVI medicines called protease inhibitors. This drug lowers the quantity of infectious virus in the body by preventing HIV from maturing.

Crixivan Indications

Crixivan is a drug used to treat HIV or human immunodeficiency virus that leads to AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. However, this drug is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. This drug can also be used in other purposes not mentioned here.

Crixivan Warnings

You may need or require a lower dose of Crixivan or special monitoring during the treatment if you have kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, high cholesterol, or hemophilia. Inform your doctor if you have the said conditions. Crixivan belongs to the FDA pregnancy category C that means that this drug is unknown whether this could cause harm to an unborn baby. To reduce the danger of infecting the unborn baby, it is necessary to treat HIV or AIDS during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant or could become pregnant during the treatment, ask or talk to your doctor about the treatment options. It is unknown whether this drug passes to breast milk. The possible effects of this drug to the nursing infant are also not known. HIV-positive mothers are advised not to breastfeed to avoid the transmission of the virus to uninfected babies.

Crixivan Intake Guidelines

Follow the exact instruction or direction given to you by your doctor. In case you did not understand the instruction, do not hesitate to ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse to explain them to you. It is advisable to take every dose of Crixivan with a full glass of water. You may also take this drug with non-fat or skim milk, juice, coffee, or tea. To get the most benefit of every dose, it is advised to take Crixivan with an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meal. You can take this drug with a low-fat, low-calorie, and low-protein snack like dry toast with jelly or cornflakes with skim milk if it upsets your stomach. To lessen the development of kidney stones, it is advised to take at least six 8ounce glasses or 48ounces of fluid daily while taking Crixivan. Taking this drug regularly is necessary to get the most benefit. To avoid interaction, you should take Crixivan and didanosine at least 2 and a half hours apart from each other. In case you are taking two or more drugs used to treat HIV and you have to stop taking one of them, you should stop taking all of them until you can talk to your doctor. To check the progress and side effects, your doctor may require you to have blood tests or other medical evaluation during the treatment of Crixivan.

Crixivan Dosage

You may obtain the dosage of this drug from your doctor. The dose varies from person to person. Follow the exact dose given to you by your doctor.

Crixivan Overdose

The symptoms of overdose with Crixivan are unknown. If you suspect an overdose with this medication, look for emergency medical attention

Crixivan Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Crixivan, take the missed dose as soon as you remember but if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose that was regularly scheduled. Unless instructed by you doctor, do not take a double dose of this drug.

Crixivan Side Effects

Some of the serious side effects of Crixivan are allergic reaction such as difficulty in breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, or hives and blood in the urine or pain in the side. Stop taking Crixivan and look for emergency medical attention if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned. Some of the less serious side effects of Crixivan are insomnia; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; and headache. In case, you experience any of the said less serious side effects, continue taking Crixivan and contact your doctor. Some side effects that are not mentioned here have the possibility to occur. If you experience unusual or bothersome side effects, talk to your doctor about it.

Crixivan Drug Reactions

There are some drugs, which are not advisable to be taken with Crixivan because it could cause danger. Talk to your doctor first before taking Crixivan if you are taking pimozide; cisapride; rifampin or rifabutin; ergotamine or dihydroergotamine; Amiodarone, bepridil, flecainide, propafenone, or quinidine; herbal or natural products containing St. John's wort; bupropion or clozapine; diazepam, clorazepate, estazolam, flurazepam, midazolam, triazolam, or zolpidem; or meperidine, piroxicam or propoxyphene. Inform your doctor first before taking Crixivan if you are taking sildenafil, vardenafil or tadalafil; phenytoin, carbamazepine, or Phenobarbital; tricyclic antidepressant like amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline, imipramine, and others; warfarin; cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus; or methadone. Also, inform your doctor first before taking Crixivan if you are taking stomach or ulcer medication like cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole, or rabeprazole; dapsone; cholesterol medicine like atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin; disulfiram; or theophylline. If you are taking metronidazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin or clindamycin; calcium channel blocker like diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, or nimodipine, amlodipine ; nisoldipine, isradipine; itraconazole or ketoconazole; or HIV/ AIDS medicine like delavirdine, efavirenz or nevirapine, talk to your doctor first be fore taking Crixivan. If you are taking the any of the drugs mentioned, your doctor might not allow you to take Crixivan, adjust your dose or require you a special monitoring during the treatment. Some drugs that may also affect Crixivan are not mentioned here. Inform you doctor first before you take over-the-counter such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.