Lopinavir and ritonavir combined in one pill. It may be marketed under the brand name Kaletra, but generic versions are also available. It is taken in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
You should not take lopinavir/ritonavir with any of the following drugs: alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, avanafil, cisapride, colchicine, dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, elbasvir/grazoprevir, ergonovine, ergotamine, fusidic acid, lovastatin, lurasidone, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, methylergonovine, midazolam taken orally, pimozide, quetiapine, ranolazine, sildenafil (for hypertension), simvastatin, St John's wort, terfenadine, triazolam, vardenafil.
Sildenafil is a drug used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). You should not take sildenafil with lopinavir/ritonavir if sildenafil was prescribed for this reason. Sildenafil (Viagra) is also used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). If you are using sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, tell your doctor before you start treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir.
Efavirenz and nevirapine reduce levels of lopinavir/ritonavir and dose adjustments are sometimes recommended when taking twice-daily lopinavir/ritonavir.
Once-daily lopinavir/ritonavir should not be taken with carbamazepine, phenobarbital or phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy).
Do not take lopinavir/ritonavir with fentanyl (for pain relief); trazodone; Zyban; or anti-cancer drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
High-level resistance to other protease inhibitors may reduce the effectiveness of lopinavir/ritonavir.
Changes in heart rhythm, reduced kidney function.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, tiredness, weakness, headache, heartburn and indigestion, pancreatitis, raised lipids or blood sugar, diabetes, high blood pressure, raised liver enzymes, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sinus infections, skin infections, rash, itching, allergic swelling, peripheral nerve damage, difficulty in sleeping, dizziness, muscle pain, erectile dysfunction, menstrual disorders.
Take the tablets with or without food. They must be swallowed whole and not broken, chewed or crushed. Taking the doses with food can reduce potential irritation of the stomach.
Combines 200mg lopinavir and 50mg ritonavir (to boost the lopinavir) in a yellow tablet. The usual adult dose is four tablets a day, either as two tablets taken twice a day or four tablets taken once a day.