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| Pronunciation |
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 (loe
PIN a veer & rye TON a
veer) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Kaletra™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
(Non-Nucleoside) |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to lopinavir, ritonavir, or any other part of
the medicine.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Flecainide, propafenone,
astemizole, terfenadine, midazolam, triazolam, cisapride, dihydroergotamine,
ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine,
pimozide.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
other medicines.
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| How does it work? |
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- Lopinavir stops the HIV virus from increasing. It binds up an enzyme
that is needed for reproduction of the virus.
- Ritonavir increases the levels of lopinavir in the
blood.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with food.
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- A liquid (solution) is available for patients who cannot swallow
pills.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Use caution if you have hemophilia. Some patients have increased
bleeding.
- Use caution if you have had pancreatitis. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Use caution if you have diabetes. Your blood sugars may increase.
Watch closely.
- Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not take this medicine with St. John's wort.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Birth control pills do not protect against the spread of sexual
diseases. In addition, birth control pills may not work very well to prevent
pregnancy with this medicine.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Levels
should be checked before starting medicine.
- Headache.
- Weakness or feeling tired.
- Changes in body fat. Increased fat in upper back, neck, chest and
belly areas. Decreased fat in arms, legs and face may
occur.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If you are diabetic, follow blood glucose levels closely. You may see
an increase in levels.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Nausea, vomiting, or belly pain.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in the refrigerator. Protect from excessive heat.
- Can store at room temperature but must use within 2
months.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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