Indinavir Alternatives: Safer, More Effective HIV Treatments in 2025

When Indinavir, a first-generation HIV protease inhibitor used in the late 1990s to block viral replication. Also known as Crixivan, it was once a cornerstone of HIV treatment, but today it’s rarely prescribed. Why? Because newer drugs work faster, cause fewer side effects, and don’t require strict dosing schedules. Indinavir needed to be taken on an empty stomach, caused kidney stones in many users, and interacted badly with common medications. It’s not that it didn’t work—it did. But modern protease inhibitors, a class of antiretroviral drugs that stop HIV from multiplying by blocking a key enzyme like darunavir and atazanavir are simply better. They’re more forgiving, more effective, and safer long-term.

Today’s antiretroviral therapy, the standard treatment for HIV that combines multiple drugs to suppress the virus doesn’t rely on single drugs like Indinavir anymore. It uses fixed-dose combinations—pills that bundle three or four drugs into one daily tablet. These regimens, like Biktarvy or Triumeq, have transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. People on modern therapy can live normal lifespans, have undetectable viral loads, and won’t transmit the virus to others. That’s the reality now. Indinavir’s legacy is important, but its limitations made it obsolete. The real question isn’t whether to use Indinavir—it’s which HIV medication, any drug used to treat or manage HIV infection, typically as part of a combination regimen fits your body, lifestyle, and health goals.

What you’ll find in the posts below are clear, no-fluff comparisons of today’s top HIV treatments. You’ll see how newer protease inhibitors stack up against integrase inhibitors and NRTIs. You’ll learn about side effects that actually matter—like weight gain, liver stress, or drug interactions—not outdated warnings from 20-year-old studies. There’s no marketing hype here, just facts from real-world use. Whether you’re switching meds, starting treatment, or just trying to understand your options, this collection gives you what you need to talk to your doctor with confidence. The goal isn’t to replace Indinavir—it’s to show you what’s better.