Treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ritonavir does not cure HIV or AIDS, but it may slow the progress of the disease.
Brand Names:
Norvir
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ritonavir. Do not use this medicine together with amiodarone (Cordarone®), astemizole (Hismanal®), bepridil (Vascor®), cisapride (Propulsid®), dihydroergotamine (Migranal®), ergotamine (Cafergot®), flecainide (Tambocor®), midazolam (Versed®), pimozide (Orap®), propafenone (Rythmol®), quinidine (Cardioquin®), terfenadine (Seldane®), or triazolam (Halcion®).
Uses:
Liquid Filled Capsule, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
It is best to take this medicine with food.
Shake the oral liquid medicine thoroughly before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. You can mix the oral liquid with chocolate milk or nutritional drinks such as Ensure® or Advera® to make it taste better.
Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.
Never share your medicine with anyone.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Certain drugs should not be used while using ritonavir. Using these drugs can cause very serious medical problems, or even death.
There are many other medicines that can interact with ritonavir. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are taking, especially Viagra®, rifabutin (Mycobutin®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifater®, Rifamate®), St. John's Wort, or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as Baycol®, Lipitor®, Mevacor®, Zocor®).
Birth control pills may not work while you are using ritonavir. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control such as condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, or hemophilia (a bleeding disorder).
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
You should not breast feed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.
Ritonavir will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone else.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Blistering skin rash or skin peeling
Increased thirst, urination, extreme hunger
Numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet
Sudden and severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
Yellow eyes or skin
Loss of appetite or changes in the way things taste
