AEGiS-ATDN: Combining Crixivan and Norvir: What's the Right Dose?

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Combining Crixivan and Norvir: What's the Right Dose?

Information Bulletin #11 June/July 2000

Studies have reported that the protease inhibitors Crixivan and Norvir can be effective when taken together as part of an anti-HIV treatment combination. However, many different doses have been used in these studies, and there is a lot of uncertainty over which is the best. Recent reports have focused on two different dosing schemes. The most commonly used in recent studies has been 800mg of Crixivan along with 200mg of Norvir taken twice-daily. This dosing scheme boosts the levels of Crixivan in the body much higher than standard doses of Crixivan taken alone. Studies using this dosing scheme have been conducted in people resistant to many different anti-HIV drugs, and the hope is that the high levels of Crixivan will work against drug-resistant HIV.

For people using Crixivan and Norvir as part of a first treatment combination, a dosing scheme of 800mg of Crixivan with 100mg of Norvir may be more appropriate. This combination also boosts Crixivan levels higher than standard dosing, but only slightly. Because Norvir has many potential side effects, this regimen may also be slightly easier to take. Whichever dosing scheme is used, taking Crixivan with Norvir gets rid of the need to take Crixivan on an empty stomach. However, because Crixivan can cause kidney stones, it is still recommended that people taking Crixivan with Norvir drink around 50 ounces of water per day. It is also recommended that a person drink 2 or more 8 ounce glasses of water when actually taking the Crixivan pills.

A study of Crixivan and Norvir dosing and drug levels has been published in the journal AIDS, the authors and cite are: Rolf van Heeswijk and colleagues, AIDS 1999 Oct 1;13(14): F95-9. More details on recent Crixivan/Norvir studies can be found on the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP) website at: http://www.natap.org/april_2000/salvage_rpt_2_dual_protease_Inhib itor_41700.html
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