Norvir (Ritonavir)

Norvir (Ritonavir) Medication Information:

What is Norvir (Ritonavir)?

Norvir tablets and oral solutions are prescription antiviral medications that are used in combination with other antiviral medications to treat adults and children who have been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1).

What is Norvir (Ritonavir) used for?

This medicine is used with other HIV drugs To help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease HIV infection in the body, allowing your immune system to function more effectively. It also helps to reduce the risk of HIV complications and also improves the quality of life.

How does Norvir work?

Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor type of medication. Ritonavir binds to the active site of the protease and prevents it from working. It prevents HIV-infected cells from producing new viruses by interfering with an enzyme called protease. This inhibitor stops the viral polyproteins from being broken, reducing the generation of immature, infectious viral particles.

Direction:

How to take Norvir (Ritonavir)?

It is an oral tablet that is taken by mouth with or without food. Do not crush, chew, break, or open the capsule; instead, swallow it whole. It is coadministered with other antiretroviral agents. It is usually recommended to take it once or twice daily a day with food.

What is the different dosage available?

The dosage is available as oral tablets of 100mg, Orange-colored oral liquid containing 600mg ritonavir per 7.5 mL, and yellow color oral powder of 100mg.

What is the recommended dosage?

When used as a pharmacokinetic (PK) booster of protease inhibitors it is recommended as 100 to 400mg orally each day, divided into 1 or 2 doses. When it is used as an antiretroviral agent it is prescribed as 600mg orally twice a day.

What is the maximum dosage?

The maximum dosage for the medicine in adults is 1200mg which is used as an antiretroviral agent. Dosage is adjusted based on the health conditions of an individual.

What if you forget to give a dose of Norvir?

As soon as you recollect, take the missed dose. If the next dose is approaching, skip the missing dose and return to your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missed dose, do not take a double dose.

Norvir Precautions:

What should you know about Norvir (Ritonavir) before you start taking it?

It 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. Monitor liver and heart functions, bilirubin levels, and cholesterol levels regularly while taking this medication

Norvir Side Effects:

What are the side effects of Norvir (Ritonavir)?

Norvir can cause some common side effects like inflammation of the liver, pancreas, or any allergic reaction. If you experience any other serious symptoms, such as weight loss, severe exhaustion, severe or recurring headaches, joint pain, numbness of the hands/feet, visual problems, or signs of infection, seek medical assistance immediately.

Norvir Drug Interactions:

Does this medication interact with other drugs, foods, or alcohol?

Norvir (Ritonavir) should not be co-administered with any medications that rely heavily on CYP3A for clearance.
Many medicines interact with ritonavir, and some drugs should never be taken together as they can alter the working mechanism of each medicine. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking.

Storage:

How should this medication be stored?

Norvir (Ritonavir) should be stored at room temperature (15ºC-30ºC)away from light, heat, moisture, and reach of the children.

Other Important Information:

• Make sure no one else uses this medication without any prescription.
• The chances of treatment failure grow when dosages are skipped. Make sure you take all of your medications at the same time.
• Inform your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including any allergies pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• Inform your doctor in advance about your medical history, especially if you have liver disease (such as hepatitis B or C), muscle diseases, or elevated creatine kinase levels in your blood.
• Do not discontinue taking Norvir without consulting your doctor.

FAQs:

Is it possible to take Ritonavir alone?

It is not suggested to administer Ritonavir Alone. It is co-administer with any other protease inhibitor.

Is Norvir (Ritonavir) safe in pregnancy?

Norvir should not be used during pregnancy whereas doctors can suggest the use of oral tablets if it is necessary and the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

Is there a black box warning for Ritonavir?

The medicine Norvir (Ritonavir) comes with a black box warning about drug interactions. When Norvir is used with sedative-hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid medicines, severe complications can occur.

Can alcohol be taken with Norvir?

Drinking alcohol or using disulfiram while taking Norvir capsules or liquid must be avoided as it may cause severe side effects. It can lead to a lack of alertness, dizziness, and a confused mental state.