Lopinavir+Ritonavir is used together with other anti-viral medicines to slow down the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
Take Lopinavir+Ritonavir exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as a tablet or as an oral solution.
You may take the tablet with or without food. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
If you have been given an oral solution, take it together with food or immediately after a meal.
Try to take it at the same time each day.
To take an oral solution:
- Remove the bottle cap and push the adapter into the neck of the bottle.
- Insert the syringe into the adapter while turning the bottle upside down.
- Use the syringe to measure out the prescribed dose by pulling out the plunger of the syringe.
- Place the bottle on a flat surface and remove the syringe from the bottle adapter.
- Place the tip of the syringe into your mouth and against the inside of your cheek.
- As you slowly press the plunger of the syringe, take and swallow the solution.
- Put the cap back on the bottle.
- Rinse the oral syringe with water after each use.
Lopinavir+Ritonavir must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Lopinavir, Ritonavir or any other similar medicines.
Do not take Lopinavir+Ritonavir with medicines to treat enlarged prostate, heart disease, stomach problems, gout, headache or migraine, high cholesterol, mental illness or allergies and certain antibiotics. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- liver disease
- high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (fat) in the blood
- haemophilia (blood clot disorder)
- heart disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is best that you do not breastfeed as HIV passes into the breast milk. Avoid breastfeeding in order to reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. It is recommended to give your baby commercial infant formula provided that you have access to clean water and facilities.
Lopinavir+Ritonavir does not reduce your risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual contact or through contamination with infected blood. Ensure that you use proper precautions to avoid spreading HIV infection to others.
Both this medicine and HIV may weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Avoid crowded places or those who are sick to minimise the risk of catching an infection. While undergoing treatment, you may develop other infections or experience other health problems. Always keep your doctor updated on your condition.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. liver function test, cholesterol levels, amount of HIV in a blood sample) while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
Lopinavir+Ritonavir may cause any of the following side effects: headache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, metallic taste, skin rash, weakness, tiredness, difficulty sleeping and pain in the muscle or joint.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- persistent and severe stomach pain radiating to your back, nausea, vomiting, fever
- rashes with skin peeling or blister
- breathlessness
- swelling of the face, eyes, lips or mouth
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Lopinavir+Ritonavir with the following medicines:
- medicines used to treat enlarged prostate e.g. alfuzosin
- medicines for heart disease e.g. amiodarone, dronedarone, digoxin, ranolazine
- stomach medicines e.g. cisapride
- medicines for gout e.g. colchicine
- medicines for headache or migraine e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
- certain antibiotics e.g. fusidic acid
- cholesterol lowering medicines e.g. lovastatin, simvastatin
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. lurasidone, pimozide, quetiapine
- medicines for allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine
- medicines for sleep disorder or anxiety e.g. midazolam, triazolam
- medicines to treat tuberculosis or TB e.g. rifampicin
- medicines for pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs) e.g. sildenafil
- medicines for impotence e.g. avanafil, vardenafil
- St. John’s Wort (herbal medicine)
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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