Ritonavir

U.S. Brand Names

Norvir®

Canadian Brand Names

Norvir®; Norvir® SEC

Mexican Brand Names

Kaletra

Pharmacologic Category

Antiretroviral Agent, Protease Inhibitor

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Ritonavir may not mix well with certain medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicine with healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to ritonavir or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are taking any of these medicines: Alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, cisapride, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, flecainide, lovastatin, methylergonovine, midazolam, pimozide, propafenone, quinidine, St John's wort, simvastatin, thioridazine, triazolam, or voriconazole.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat HIV infection.

How does it work?

• Ritonavir works to injure the virus and fight the infection.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• This medicine is usually taken with at least two other medicines.

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• Take this medicine with food.

• Mix solution with chocolate milk, Ensure®, or Advera®.

• Shake solution well before use.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not run out of this medicine.

• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. Diabetes medicines may need adjustment.

• If you have hemophilia, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have high cholesterol or are taking a cholesterol-lowering agent, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Do not take St John's wort with this medicine. It may make this medicine less effective.

• If you are taking atorvastatin or sildenafil, talk with healthcare provider.

• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy in HIV disease.

• Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV disease.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• High cholesterol level.

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Not hungry.

• Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.

• Change in body fat distribution.

• Headache.

• Belly pain.

• Numbness and tingling of feet or hands.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Irritated pancreas can rarely occur.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Check cholesterol panel before starting treatment.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Increased trips to the bathroom, increased thirst, or weight loss.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store capsules in original container in a refrigerator or at room temperature. If stored at room temperature throw away any unused portion after one month.

• Protect capsules from light.

• Store solution in original container at room temperature. Keep cap tightly closed. Throw away when expiration date has been reached.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:34:05.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:13:15.0

Lexi-PALS^TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.