APPROVED DOSAGE:
Two 400mg cream-coloured capsules every eight hours.
EXPERIMENTAL DOSAGE WITH RITONAVIR:
400mg of both drugs twice daily. Or, two 400mg capsules of indinavir and 100mg of ritonavir twice a day.
STORAGE:
Must be stored with a desiccant to keep the capsules dry. Can be kept in a dosette box without a desiccant for up to three days.
TIPS ON TAKING:
Ideally take indinavir on an empty stomach. Avoid food two hours before and one hour after taking indinavir. A light, low-fat snack is permitted, e.g. 30g cereal with 100g skimmed milk or a tea or coffee with sugar and skimmed milk plus one biscuit or two small slices of toast with low-fat spread and 15g of jam per slice.
You can discuss your options with an HIV dietician. (If indinavir is taken with ritonavir, there are no food restrictions). Drink 1.5 litres of water or a non-caffeinated drink in addition to your usual fluid intake, to reduce the risk of kidney stones.
COMMON SIDE-EFFECTS:
Kidney stones, pain when urinating, tiny stones in urine, dry lips and skin, liver abnormalities, nausea, lipodystrophy and metabolic changes. Low fluid intake will increase your risk of developing kidney problems.
RARE SIDE-EFFECTS:
diabetes.
