Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CRIXIVAN versus FORTOVASE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CRIXIVAN versus FORTOVASE.
CRIXIVAN vs FORTOVASE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Indinavir is a specific, potent, reversible inhibitor of HIV-1 protease. It binds to the active site of the viral protease, preventing the cleavage of viral polyprotein precursors into functional proteins, resulting in the formation of immature, non-infectious virions.
Saquinavir is a protease inhibitor that binds to the active site of HIV-1 protease, blocking the cleavage of viral polyprotein precursors into functional proteins, resulting in the production of immature, non-infectious viral particles.
800 mg orally every 8 hours on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals) or with a light meal.
1200 mg orally three times daily with food.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 1.8 to 2.5 hours in healthy adults; requires dosing every 8 hours.
Terminal elimination half-life is 1-2 hours in healthy subjects; prolonged to 2-5 hours in patients with hepatic impairment or when coadministered with ritonavir.
Primarily fecal (78-82%) with approximately 20% renal excretion of unchanged drug.
Primarily hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4; 2% excreted unchanged in urine, 15% unchanged in feces; extensive biliary excretion of metabolites.
Category C
Category C
Antiretroviral
Antiretroviral