This combination product contains two medications:
lopinavir and ritonavir. This product is used with other HIV medications to
help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your
body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of
getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves
your quality of life. Both lopinavir and ritonavir belong to a class of
drugs known as HIV protease inhibitors. Ritonavir increases ("boosts") the
levels of lopinavir. This helps lopinavir work better.
Lopinavir/ritonavir is not a cure for HIV infection. To
decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all
HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective
barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual
activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as
needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood
or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
details.
This section contains uses of this drug that are not
listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be
prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition
that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your
health care professional.
This product may also be used to lessen the risk of HIV
infection after contact with the virus (for example, due to a needle
stick). Ask your doctor for more details.
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient
Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking
lopinavir/ritonavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any
questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. Swallow the tablets
whole. Do not crush, break or chew the tablets.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Children's dosage is also based on age and body size.
Once-daily dosing of this medication is not recommended for children
younger than 18 years of age.
If you are taking didanosine in addition to this
product, you can take it at the same time as this product, but take them
both without food.
It is very important to keep taking this medication (and
other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip
any doses.
For the best effect, take this medication at evenly
spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same
time(s) every day.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or
stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless
directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to
increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen
side effects.
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, gas,
headache, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or
get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
As your immune system gets stronger, it can begin to
fight off infections you already had, possibly causing disease symptoms to
come back. You could also have symptoms if your immune system becomes
overactive. This reaction may happen at any time (soon after starting HIV
treatment or many months later). Get medical help right away if you have
any serious symptoms, including:
- unexplained weight loss
- severe tiredness
- muscle aches/weakness that doesn't go away
- headaches that are severe or don't go away
- joint pain
- numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs
- vision changes
- signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph
nodes, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores)
- signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability,
nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging
eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter)
- signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre
syndrome (such as unsteadiness, loss of coordination, trouble
swallowing/speaking/chewing, trouble moving your eyes)
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- confusion
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
- dark urine
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain,
shortness of breath, unusual sweating)
- severe dizziness
- fainting
- slow/fast/irregular heartbeat
Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this
medication (such as increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas,
decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of
these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with
your doctor, as well as the possible use of exercise to reduce this side
effect.
This medication may cause an increase in blood fat
levels (cholesterol and triglycerides). Cholesterol and triglyceride
testing should be done before and occasionally during treatment with this
medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
information.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to either lopinavir or ritonavir; or if you
have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients,
which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your
pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver disease
- diabetes
- pancreatitis
- high blood fat levels (cholesterol/triglycerides)
- heart problems (coronary artery disease, heart attack)
- bleeding problems (such as hemophilia)
- previous infection with certain diseases (such as hepatitis B
infection, hepatitis C infection, tuberculosis)
Lopinavir/ritonavir may cause a condition that affects
the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause
serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as
severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
prolongation. Before using lopinavir/ritonavir, tell your doctor or
pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT
prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may
also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you
use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have
conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your
doctor about using lopinavir/ritonavir safely.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this
medication. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection to your
baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk. Because breast
milk may transmit HIV, consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Lopinavir/ritonavir interacts with many medications.
Some products that may interact with this drug include:
- cobicistat
- certain HIV medications (such as fosamprenavir,
tipranavir)
- orlistat
Other medications can affect the removal of
lopinavir/ritonavir from your body, which may affect how
lopinavir/ritonavir works. Examples include apalutamide, rifampin, St.
John's wort, among others.
Lopinavir/ritonavir can speed up or slow down the
removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they
work. Examples of affected drugs include certain alpha blockers (such as
alfuzosin, tamsulosin), certain inhaled drugs to treat breathing problems
(such as fluticasone, salmeterol), drugs to treat erectile dysfunction-ED
or pulmonary hypertension (such as sildenafil, tadalafil), ergot drugs
(such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), pimozide, rivaroxaban, certain
sedatives (such as midazolam, triazolam), certain statins (such as
lovastatin, simvastatin), among others.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use
reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication. Also
tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding,
because these may be signs that your birth control is not working
well.
Many drugs besides lopinavir/ritonavir may affect the
heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including pacritinib, among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: change
in amount of urine, numbness or tingling in the
arms/hands/legs/feet.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function, blood
count, blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels, blood sugar) should be done
while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab
appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Lopinavir/ritonavir is available in tablets, capsules,
and oral solution. Do not switch types of this medication without
instructions on how to do so by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store in the original container at room temperature away
from light and moisture. Avoid storing this product longer than 2 weeks
outside of the container, especially in humid areas. Do not store in the
bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.