Ritonavir capsules
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What are ritonavir tablets?
RITONAVIR (Norvir®) is a type of antiviral drug called a protease inhibitor. Ritonavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Ritonavir may reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood. Ritonavir is used in combination with other drugs to treat the HIV virus. Ritonavir will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. You may still develop other infections or conditions associated with HIV. Generic ritonavir capsules are not available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes mellitus or high blood sugar
• hemophilia
• high cholesterol levels
• high triglyceride levels
• liver disease, including hepatitis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ritonavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• breast-feeding
• pregnancy or recent attempts to get pregnant
How should I take this medicine?
Take ritonavir capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label exactly. Take the capsules with meals, if possible. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
To help to make sure that your anti-HIV therapy works as well as possible, be very careful to take all of your medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.What drug(s) may interact with ritonavir?
Many medicines may interact with ritonavir, if you have a question concerning other medicines you may be taking, talk with your pharmacist, prescriber or other health care professional.
Do not take ritonavir with any of these medicines:
• alfuzosin (UroXatral®)
• amiodarone (Cordarone®)
• astemizole (Hismanal®)
• bepridil (Vascor®)
• cisapride (Propulsid®)
• dofetilide (Tykosin®)
• ergotamine medicines (Cafergot®, Migranal®, D.H.E. 45®, and others)
• flecainide (Tambocor®)
• lovastatin (Mevacor®)
• midazolam (Versed®)
• pimozide (Orap®)
• propafenone (Rythmol®)
• quinidine (Quinaglute®, Cardioquin®, Quinidex®, and others)
• red yeast rice
• simvastatin (Zocor®)
• St. John's wort or products containing St. John's Wort
• terfenadine (Seldane®)
• triazolam (Halcion®)
• zolpidem (Ambien®)
Other medicines that may interact with ritonavir:
• atovaquone
• birth control pills or other hormonal birth control medicines (like the patch, ring, or injections)
• bosentan
• certain medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping
• certain medicines for fungal infections
• certain medicines for high cholesterol (e.g., atorvastatin or cerivastatin)
• certain medicines for high blood pressure
• certain pain medicines
• clarithromycin
• cyclosporine
• doxercalciferol
• erythromycin
• medicines for depression
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for seizures
• other antiviral medicines such as didanosine, ddI, saquinavir, or zidovudine
• paricalcitol
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rifapentine
• theophylline
• sildenafil
• warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ritonavir?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your prescriber or health care professional.
Ritonavir will not cure HIV and you can still get other illnesses or complications associated with your disease. Taking ritonavir does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone.
Ritonavir may cause abnormal liver function tests, changes in your cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and may increase the level of your blood sugar. Visit your health care professional or prescriber regularly to check for any of these side effects. Some of these effects may become serious.
If you are a woman of childbearing age and are using hormone contraceptives, then you should use another form of birth control while taking ritonavir. Ritonavir may decrease the effectiveness of hormone birth control agents, including birth control pills and injections.
What side effects might I notice from taking ritonavir?
Side effects of ritonavir may be temporary and decrease after 2 weeks of treatment. Try to stay on ritonavir for at least 2 weeks. When you start taking ritonavir, your prescriber may slowly increase your dose to minimize the potential side effects.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• signs of a severe allergic reaction including difficulty breathing, tightness in throat, or swelling of your tongue
• increases in your blood sugar
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• severe dizziness
• skin rash, hives
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• yellow color of eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• changes in taste
• diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• headache
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• stomach pain
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or around the mouth
• tiredness or weakness
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store the capsules in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). You do not need to keep them in the refrigerator if you use them all within 30 days and keep them below 77 degrees F. Do not expose the capsules to very hot or cold temperatures. Keep the container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
