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Indinavir

Drug Information

Indinavir is an antiviral drug used to treat HIV infection, and is in a class of medications known as protease inhibitors.

Common brand names:

Crixivan

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

What Are Nutrient Interactions
Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

  • none

Reduce Side Effects

  • none

Support Medicine

  • none

Reduces Effectiveness

  • High-Fat

    Taking indinavir with a meal high in calories, protein, and fat dramatically reduces the absorption of the drug.1 One controlled trial showed that taking indinavir with a high-fat breakfast greatly reduced blood levels of the drug, while two types of low-fat meals had no effect.2 Therefore, indinavir should be taken either with a low-fat meal or on an empty stomach.

  • St. John’s Wort

    Studies have shown that taking indinavir together with St. John’s wort results in increased breakdown and dramatically reduced blood levels of indinavir.5 , 6 Therefore, people taking indinavir should not take St. John’s wort.

    Indinavir is a protease inhibitor used to treat people with HIV infection. A pharmacological study gave indinavir to healthy volunteers for two days.7 On day 3, volunteers added 900 mg of St. John’s wort extract per day. At the end of the study, it was found that St. John’s wort led to a significant reduction in serum levels of indinavir. Until more is known, people taking indinavir or other antiretroviral drugs for HIV infection should avoid using St. John’s wort.

Potential Negative Interaction

  • none

Explanation Required 

  • none

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

References

1. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1772–6.

2. Yeh KC, Deutsch PJ, Haddix H, et al. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of indinavir and the effect of food. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1998;42:332–8.

3. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1772–6.

4. Yeh KC, Deutsch PJ, Haddix H, et al. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of indinavir and the effect of food. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1998;42:332–8.

5. Piscitelli SC, Burstein AH, Chaitt D, et al. Indinavir concentrations and St. John’s wort. Lancet 2000;355:547–8 [letter].

6. Moore LB, Goodwin B, Jones SA, et al. St. John’s wort induces hepatic drug metabolism through activation of the pregnane X receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2000;97:7500–2.

7. Piscitelli SC, Burstein AH, Chaitt D, et al. Indinavir concentrations and St. John’s wort. Lancet 2000;355:547–8 [letter].

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