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Indinavir Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2024.

Applies to indinavir: oral capsule.

Serious side effects of indinavir

Along with its needed effects, indinavir may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking indinavir:

More common

  • blood in the urine
  • sharp back pain just below the ribs

Less common

  • abdominal or stomach pain
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • dark urine
  • dizziness
  • fever
  • headache
  • itching
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • rash
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting of blood
  • yellow eyes or skin

Rare

  • confusion
  • dehydration
  • dry or itchy skin
  • fruity mouth odor
  • increased hunger
  • increased thirst
  • increased urination
  • pale skin
  • troubled breathing with exertion
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • weight loss

Other side effects of indinavir

Some side effects of indinavir may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • change in sense of taste
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty with sleeping
  • generalized weakness

Less common

  • acid or sour stomach
  • acid regurgitation
  • belching
  • cough
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • heartburn
  • increase in appetite
  • indigestion
  • sleepiness

Managing side effects (general information)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to indinavir: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Gastrointestinal

Increased serum amylase (greater than 200% the upper limit of normal [200% ULN]) has been reported in up to 2.1% of patients.[Ref]

Nervous system

Other

Dermatologic

Hepatic

Asymptomatic hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin at least 2.5 mg/dL [43 mcmol/L]) has been reported in about 14% of patients, primarily as elevated indirect bilirubin; this was associated with elevated ALT, AST, or alkaline phosphatase in less than 1% of patients. Most patients continued therapy without dose reduction and bilirubin values gradually declined towards baseline. Hyperbilirubinemia was reported more often at doses greater than 2.4 g/day compared to doses up to 2.4 g/day.

Increased total serum bilirubin (greater than 250% ULN), ALT (greater than 500% ULN), and AST (greater than 500% ULN) have been reported in up to 11.9%, up to 4.9%, and up to 3.7% of patients, respectively.[Ref]

Renal

The cumulative frequency of nephrolithiasis events increased with duration of drug exposure; however, risk over time remained relatively constant. Of patients who developed nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis in clinical trials, 7 of 246 developed hydronephrosis and 11 of 246 underwent stent placement; after the acute episode, 12 of 246 patients discontinued therapy. In general, nephrolithiasis (including flank pain with or without hematuria [including microscopic hematuria]) was not associated with renal dysfunction and resolved with hydration and temporary interruption of therapy (e.g., 1 to 3 days). Nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis was reported more often at doses greater than 2.4 g/day compared to doses up to 2.4 g/day.

Increased creatinine (greater than 300% ULN) has been reported in up to 0.2% of patients.

During postmarketing experience, interstitial nephritis did not resolve after some patients stopped this drug.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Drug-induced neuropathy has resulted in erectile dysfunction.[Ref]

Hematologic

Decreased neutrophils (less than 750/mm3), hemoglobin (less than 7 g/dL), and platelet count (less than 50,000/mm3) have been reported in up to 5.1%, up to 2.4%, and up to 0.9% of patients, respectively.[Ref]

Metabolic

Increased glucose (greater than 250 mg/dL) has been reported in up to 1.6% of patients.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Musculoskeletal

Drug deposition in synovial fluid may have resulted in monoarthritis in a patient. Intraarticular drug levels of 1.36 mcg/mL were measured in the patient's knee joint.[Ref]

Respiratory

Hypersensitivity

Cardiovascular

Immunologic

Ocular

Endocrine

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Further information

Indinavir side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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