What is Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Lopinavir and ritonavir is a combination of two antiviral medications in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. This medication prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.
Lopinavir and ritonavir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lopinavir and ritonavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Lopinavir and ritonavir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Do not take lopinavir and ritonavir with lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), simvastatin (Zocor), oral midazolam (Versed), pimozide (Orap), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), sildenafil (Revatio, for pulmonary arterial hypertension), St. John’s wort, triazolam (Halcion), or an ergot medicine such as Cafergot, Embolex, Ergotrate, Wigraine, D.H.E. 45, Wigrettes, Medihaler Ergotamine, Migranal, or Methergine.
These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking lopinavir and ritonavir.
There are many other medicines that can interact with lopinavir and ritonavir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor’s advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C)
heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder
a personal or family history of “Long QT Syndrome”
pancreas problems
diabetes
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood; or
if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether lopinavir and ritonavir will harm an unborn baby. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
Lopinavir and ritonavir can make birth control pills or patches less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking lopinavir and ritonavir.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 14 days old.

Kaletra Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking ritonavir and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
increased urination or extreme thirst
easy bruising or bleeding
signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or
low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach
numbness or tingling, especially around your mouth
mild skin rash
headache, weakness, mood changes; or
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Kaletra Interactions

What other drugs affect Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Many drugs can interact with lopinavir and ritonavir. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

fluticasone (Advair, Flonase, Flovent) or salmeterol (Serevent)
rifabutin (Mycobutin)
itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
an antidepressant such as trazodone (Desyrel) and others
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
cholesterol-lowering medicine such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), or rosuvastatin (Crestor)
drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf)
heart rhythm medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone) or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
other HIV /AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), and others
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth
medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra); or
seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin)

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with lopinavir and ritonavir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

If you take lopinavir and ritonavir liquid and you also take didanosine (Videx), take the didanosine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take lopinavir and ritonavir liquid.
Lopinavir and ritonavir oral liquid contains a large portion of alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you also take metronidazole (Flagyl) or disulfiram (Antabuse), which can cause severe nausea and vomiting when taken with lopinavir and ritonavir liquid.
Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Kaletra Dosage

How should I take Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets may be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break a lopinavir and ritonavir tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
Lopinavir and ritonavir liquid should be taken with food.
Measure the liquid form (oral solution) of lopinavir and ritonavir with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor’s advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator or at room temperature, away from heat or moisture. If you store the medicine at room temperature you must use it within 60 days.
Store the tablets at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Keep the pills in their original container with the cap tightly closed.

What happens if I overdose on Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of lopinavir and ritonavir oral liquid could be fatal to a child.

What happens if I miss a dose of Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time
for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Kaletra Lopinavir Ritonavir

Kaletra (Lopinavir Ritonavir)