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| Pronunciation |
|
 (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? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
other medicines.
|
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|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- 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? |
|
|
- 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? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| 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, throat.
- Nausea, vomiting, or belly pain.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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 |
|
|
- 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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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