|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (rye
TON a
veer) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Norvir® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antiretroviral Agent, Protease Inhibitor |
|
|
| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- May not mix well with other medications. Life-threatening reactions
may occur. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any other
medications.
|
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to ritonavir or any other part of the medicine.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Amiodarone, bepridil,
flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, astemizole, terfenadine, dihydroergotamine,
ergotamine, midazolam, triazolam, cisapride, or
pimozide.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Ritonavir stops the HIV virus from increasing. It binds up an enzyme
that is needed for reproduction of the
virus.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take with food.
- Mix solution with chocolate milk, Ensure®, or
Advera® (improves taste).
- Shake solution well before
using.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- Return to your regular schedule for the next dose.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not take with St. John's wort or any product containing St. John's
wort. St. John's wort may lead to the failure of ritonavir to keep your HIV
disease controlled.
- 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. Oral
contraceptives do not protect against the spread of sexual diseases.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that
require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Anorexia, belly pain, changes in taste.
- Numbness and tingling.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- 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, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store capsules in refrigerator. Protect from light.
- Store solution at room temperature. Keep cap tightly
closed.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- 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).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
