TL;DR:
Indinavir (brand name Crixivan) belongs to the protease inhibitor class. HIV needs an enzyme called protease to cut up its proteins and assemble new virus particles. Indinavir sticks to the enzyme, stopping it from working. Without functional protease, the virus can’t mature, which slows the infection and gives the immune system a chance to recover.
It was one of the first protease inhibitors approved in the late 1990s and is still prescribed when doctors need an alternative to newer drugs that may cause more metabolic issues.
Getting the dose right is the biggest factor in making Indinavir work. Below is a quick‑start checklist:
If you’re on a rescue regimen (e.g., during pregnancy) your doctor may adjust the schedule, but the principle stays the same: keep levels steady, take with food, and drink plenty of fluids.
Most people tolerate Indinavir well, but some side effects pop up more often than others. Below is a snapshot of frequency and practical coping tips.
| Side Effect | Frequency | Management Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) | ~2‑4% of patients | Drink >2L water daily, avoid high‑oxalate foods, report flank pain immediately. |
| Nausea / vomiting | 10‑15% | Take with a meal, consider anti‑emetic if severe. |
| Fatigue | 12‑18% | Maintain regular sleep schedule, avoid alcohol. |
| Diarrhea | 7‑10% | Hydrate, use over‑the‑counter loperamide if needed. |
| High cholesterol / triglycerides | 5‑8% | Eat a low‑fat diet, get lipid panel checked every 3-6months. |
Serious but rare events include severe allergic reactions and hepatitis. If you notice rash, fever, or yellowing of the skin, seek medical help right away.
Indinavir lives in a crowded pharmacy shelf; it can play nice or clash with other meds. The biggest culprits are drugs that affect the liver enzyme CYP3A4, which metabolises Indinavir.
Always hand your pharmacist a full list of prescriptions, over‑the‑counter meds and supplements. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, discuss risks: Indinavir is category C, meaning animal studies showed risk but human data are limited. In many cases, the benefit of controlling HIV outweighs potential fetal concerns, but close monitoring is essential.
In Australia, Indinavir is a Schedule4 prescription drug, so you’ll need a doctor’s script and a licensed pharmacy. Some online pharmacies list it without a prescription - avoid those, as counterfeit pills can cause dangerous outcomes.
When you pick up the medication, check the expiry date and the capsule colour (pink‑white, imprint "IND" on one side). Store it at room temperature, away from moisture.
After starting therapy, schedule blood work at 2‑week, 1‑month and then quarterly intervals to monitor viral load, kidney function (creatinine, urine analysis) and lipid profile. If creatinine climbs or you develop hematuria, your doctor may lower the dose or switch to a different protease inhibitor.
Finally, keep a medication diary. Note the time you take each dose, any side effects, and fluid intake. This record helps your clinician fine‑tune the regimen and spot patterns early.
If you’re about to start Indinavir, schedule a baseline labs panel with your GP or HIV specialist. Bring this guide and discuss:
If you’re already on Indinavir and notice new symptoms, contact your clinician promptly. Keep your pharmacy receipt as proof of a legitimate source.
Remember, the goal of any HIV regimen is viral suppression and quality of life. With the right dosing, hydration, and monitoring, Indinavir can be a reliable part of that plan.
8 Comments
Spencer Riner
21 September, 2025I appreciate the thorough breakdown of Indinavir’s uses and dosing. The emphasis on taking the capsules with food really resonates, especially for minimizing nausea. Staying well‑hydrated to prevent kidney stones is a practical tip that patients can implement immediately. Consistent dosing and monitoring will obviously improve outcomes.
Joe Murrey
21 September, 2025i dnt think u need 2 worry about the stone thing if u drink enough water lol
Tracy Harris
22 September, 2025The guide commendably outlines the pharmacological basis of Indinavir, yet it glosses over the gravity of drug‑drug interactions with a brevity that borders on recklessness. One must not underestimate the impact of CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampin, which can precipitously diminish therapeutic levels. Moreover, the cautionary note regarding St. John’s wort, while valid, could be expanded to include other herbal supplements. The clinical admonition to monitor renal function is prudent, but the recommendation lacks specificity concerning frequency of laboratory assessments. Ultimately, the documentation would benefit from a more rigorous, evidence‑based discourse.
Sorcha Knight
22 September, 2025Honestly, skipping doses is just irresponsible 😡. If you’re on Indinavir, you owe it to yourself and your community to stay on schedule and keep those fluids flowing.
Jackie Felipe
23 September, 2025I think the guide is good but it could be more simple for new people. Also, drink alot of water, its real important. If u have any side effect tell your doc fast.
debashis chakravarty
23 September, 2025While the guide emphasizes hydration, it neglects to mention that excessive fluid intake can exacerbate hyponatremia, especially in patients with comorbid cardiac conditions. A balanced recommendation would advise patients to tailor fluid consumption to their individual clinical status.
Daniel Brake
24 September, 2025The ethical dimension of prescribing Indinavir invites reflection on the balance between individual autonomy and public health imperatives. One must contemplate whether the potential for renal complications justifies the antiviral potency in every case. It is a subtle negotiation between risking organ harm and preventing viral proliferation, demanding a nuanced, patient‑centered dialogue.
Emily Stangel
25 September, 2025The decision to incorporate Indinavir into a therapeutic regimen should be approached with a holistic perspective that balances virological efficacy with the patient's overall quality of life.
First and foremost, adherence remains the cornerstone of any antiretroviral strategy, as inconsistent dosing inevitably invites viral rebound and the specter of resistance.
Equally important is the recognition that pharmacokinetic consistency can be compromised by dietary habits, which the guide rightly addresses through the recommendation of taking the medication with food.
However, clinicians must also remain vigilant regarding the potential for drug‑drug interactions, particularly with agents that induce or inhibit CYP3A4, as these can substantially alter plasma concentrations.
The guide’s caution concerning rifampin and St. John’s wort exemplifies prudent clinical stewardship.
Beyond hepatic metabolism, renal function plays a pivotal role, given Indinavir’s propensity to precipitate nephrolithiasis in susceptible individuals.
Patients with pre‑existing kidney impairment should undergo dose adjustments and more frequent monitoring of creatinine and urinalysis results.
Hydration, as emphasized, is a simple yet effective preventive measure, yet the recommendation of two liters per day must be individualized to avoid volume overload in those with cardiac comorbidities.
Moreover, dietary counseling aimed at reducing oxalate intake can further mitigate stone formation, an aspect that could be elaborated in future revisions of the guide.
From a lipid management standpoint, the modest increase in cholesterol and triglycerides observed with protease inhibitors warrants periodic lipid panels and lifestyle interventions.
In patients experiencing dyslipidemia, the addition of statins or fibrates should be considered, taking care to avoid agents that share metabolic pathways with Indinavir.
Pregnancy considerations, while briefly mentioned, deserve a more nuanced discussion, as the balance between maternal viral suppression and fetal safety is delicate.
The categorization of Indinavir as pregnancy category C reflects the paucity of robust human data, underscoring the need for shared decision‑making.
Finally, the psychosocial dimensions of chronic HIV therapy, including stigma, mental health, and support networks, are integral to sustained adherence and must not be overlooked.
In summary, the guide provides a solid foundation, yet clinicians are encouraged to tailor each recommendation to the individual patient's clinical context.
Through such personalized care, the therapeutic potential of Indinavir can be maximized while minimizing adverse outcomes.