Ritonavir is used together with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection which can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
This medicine is not a cure for HIV infection. It only helps to keep the virus in check and can help improve the quality of life. It does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people.
Take 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.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Ritonavir is available as a tablet, oral solution or powder.
If you are taking the tablet, swallow it whole. Do not chew, break or crush the tablets.
If you have been given the oral solution, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose. To mask the unpleasant taste, you may mix it with chocolate milk or a liquid nutritional supplement and take it within 60 minutes.
If you are taking the oral powder, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Gather all items to prepare your dose e.g. spoon, small cup or bowl, measuring cup/dosing syringe, drinking glass. Place them on a clean, flat surface.
- Prepare the prescribed number of sachets or packets needed to prepare your dose.
- Pour and mix the entire contents of the required number of sachets or packets over a soft food (e.g. apple sauce, vanilla pudding) or liquid (e.g. water, chocolate milk, infant formula).
- Take the mixture or liquid within 2 hours of mixing.
- Throw the empty sachets or packets in the trash.
- Hand wash the used items in warm water and soap. Rinse and allow to air dry.
- Wash and dry your hands.
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.
Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
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 Ritonavir if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have decompensated liver disease (severe scarring of the liver seen at the terminal stages of long-term liver disease) as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Do not take Ritonavir with certain medicines for enlarged prostate, pain and inflammation, chest pain, cancer, heart disease, fungal infection, cold or allergy, gout (high uric acid level in the blood), TB (an infection known as tuberculosis), mood disorders, depression, asthma, migraine, excessive bleeding that may occur following childbirth or an abortion, stomach problems, high cholesterol levels, impotence, pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs), sleep disorder or anxiety, strong painkillers, certain antibiotics, and herbal medicines. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- haemophilia (an inherited bleeding disorder which causes the blood to not clot properly)
- heart disease
- diabetes
- moderate to severe liver disease
It is important that you do not get pregnant while being treated with this medicine. Birth control medicines containing hormones may not be effective. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
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.
Ritonavir is not a cure for HIV. It only helps to slow down the development of HIV infection.
This medicine does not reduce your risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual contact or 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 and go for your appointed check-ups.
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 and kidney 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 need to have these tests.
Ritonavir may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, stomach wind, mouth ulcers, indigestion, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, numbness or tingling sensation in the mouth, hands or feet, cough, blurred vision, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, itching, acne (also known as pimple), and rash.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs of allergic reactions e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- signs of liver problems e.g. yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- unusual bleeding or bruising
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 Ritonavir with the following medicines:
- alfuzosin (medicine to treat enlarged prostate glands)
- strong painkillers e.g. pethidine, dextropropoxyphene
- piroxicam (medicine for pain and inflammation)
- ranolazine (medicine for chest pain)
- medicines for cancer e.g. neratinib, apalutamide, venetoclax
- medicines for heart disease e.g. amiodarone, bepridil, dronedarone, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine
- fusidic acid (antibiotic)
- voriconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine
- colchicine (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- rifabutin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. blonanserin, clozapine, pimozide, quetiapine
- lurasidone (medicine to treat depression)
- salmeterol (asthma medicine)
- medicines for migraine e.g. dihydroergotamine, ergotamine
- medicines used to stop excessive bleeding that may occur following childbirth or an abortion e.g. ergonovine, methylergonovine
- cisapride (medicine used to relieve certain stomach problems)
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, lovastatin, lomitapide
- medicines to treat impotence e.g. avanafil, vardenafil
- sildenafil (when used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension [high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs])
- medicines for sleep disorder or anxiety e.g. clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam, oral midazolam, triazolam
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat impotence e.g. tadalafil, sildenafil
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. atorvastatin, rosuvastatin
- asthma medicines e.g. fluticasone, budesonide
- trazodone (medicine to treat depression and anxiety)
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. rivaroxaban, vorapaxar
- riociguat (medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension)
- medicines to treat TB e.g. bedaquiline, delamanid
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ritonavir.
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.
Protect from light, heat and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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