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Crixivan |
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- Description - |
Crixivan is used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection. HIV causes the immunesystem to break down so that it can no longer fight off otherinfections. This leads to the fatal disease known as acquiredimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
HIV thrives by taking over the immune system's vital CD4 cells (white bloodcells) and using their inner workingsto make additional copies of itself. Crixivan belongs to a class ofHIV drugs called protease inhibitors, which work by interferingwith an important step in the virus's reproductive cycle. AlthoughCrixivan cannot eliminate HIV already present in the body,it can reduce the amount of virus available to infect other cells.
Crixivan can be taken alone or in combination with other HIV drugs such as Retrovir.Because Crixivan and Retrovir attack the virus in different ways, the combinationis likely to be more effective than either drug alone. |
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- Common Side Effects - |
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Abdominal distention and pain,allergic reactions,anemia,back pain,blood in the urine,changes in taste,chest pain and heart disorders,depression,diabetes,diarrhea,discolored skin,dizziness,drowsiness,dry skin and mouth,fatigue,general feeling of illness,hair loss,headache,hives,indigestion,ingrown toenails,insomnia,itching,joint pain,kidney problems,liver problems,loss of appetite,nausea,numbness of the mouth,pain in the side,rash,redistribution of body fat,skin discoloration,stroke,vomiting,weakness,yellow skin or eyes |
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- Possible Interactions - |
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cerivastatin (Baycol)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Delavirdine (Rescriptor)
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Didanosine (Videx)
Efavirenz (Sustiva)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Fluvastatin (Lescol)
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Ortho-Novum
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Trimpex, Septra)
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Crixivan.This kind of juice can reduce the drug's effectiveness.
Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about allmedications you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. Alert them, too,when you stop taking a medication.
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- Manufacturer - |
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Merck & Company Inc |
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US Human Health, PO Box 4-Wp 39-267 |
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West Point, PA 19486-0004 |
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USA |
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