An Overview of Norvir (Ritonavir)

rit-ON-uh-veer

Brand Name: Norvir
Other Name(s): RTV
Drug Class: Protease Inhibitors

Generic name: ritonavir

You should remain under a doctor's care when taking NORVIR and you should not change or stop treatment without first talking with your doctor.

You should tell your doctor about any medicine you are taking or planning to take because taking NORVIR with some medications can result in serious or life-threatening problems.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about NORVIR. Your doctor or pharmacist can also give you more information about NORVIR.

What is NORVIR and How Does it work?

NORVIR is in a class of medicines called the HIV protease (PRO-tee-ase) inhibitors. NORVIR is used in combination with other anti-HIV medicines to treat people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. NORVIR is for adults and for children age greater than 1 month and older. NORVIR can be used at the full dose on its own, or at lower doses with other protease inhibitors.

HIV infection leads to the destruction of CD4 (T) cells, which are important to the immune system. After a large number of CD4 (T) cells have been destroyed, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops.

NORVIR blocks HIV protease, a chemical which is needed for HIV to multiply. When used with other HIV medicines, NORVIR may reduce the amount of HIV in your blood and increase the number of CD4 (T) cells. Patients who took NORVIR in clinical studies had significant reductions in both death and AIDS defining diseases; however NORVIR may not have these effects in all patients.

Does NORVIR Cure HIV or AIDS?

NORVIR does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. The long-term effects of NORVIR are not known at this time. People taking NORVIR may still get opportunistic infections or other conditions that happen with HIV infection. Some of these conditions are pneumonia, herpes virus infections, and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections.

Does NORVIR Reduce the Risk of Passing HIV to Others?

NORVIR does not reduce the risk of passing HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Continue to practice safe sex and do not use or share dirty needles.

How Should I Take NORVIR?

• You should stay under a doctor's care when taking NORVIR. Do not change your treatment or stop treatment without first talking with your doctor.
• It is very important that you take NORVIR every day exactly as your doctor prescribed it.
• The usual dose for adults is six 100 mg tablets (or capsules) or 7.5 mL of the oral solution twice a day (morning and night), in combination with other anti-HIV medicines.
• The dosing of NORVIR may be different for you than for other patients. Follow the directions from your doctor, exactly as written on the label.
• Children from greater than 1 month to 18 years of age can also take NORVIR. The child's doctor will decide the right dose based on the child's height and weight.
• NORVIR tablets should be swallowed whole, and not chewed, broken, or crushed.
• Take NORVIR with meals.
• NORVIR Oral Solution is peppermint/caramel flavored. You can take it alone, or may improve the taste by mixing it with 8 ounces of chocolate milk, Ensure^®, or Advera^®. NORVIR Oral Solution should be taken within 1 hour if mixed with these items. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about other ways to improve the taste of NORVIR Oral Solution.
• If a young child drinks more than recommended dose of NORVIR oral solution, contact your local poison control center or emergency room right away.
• Talk with your doctor if you take or plan to take Flagyl^® (metronidazole) or Antabuse^® (disulfiram) with NORVIR oral solution. You can have severe nausea and vomiting if you take these medicines with NORVIR.
• Do not change or stop taking NORVIR without first talking with your health care provider.
• When your NORVIR supply starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to NORVIR and become harder to treat.
• Be sure to set up a schedule and follow it carefully.
• Only take medicine that has been prescribed specifically for you. Do not give NORVIR to others or take medicine prescribed for someone else.

What Should I Do if I Miss a Dose of NORVIR?

It is important that you do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of NORVIR, take it as soon as possible and then take your next scheduled dose at its regular time. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the next dose.

What Happens If I Take Too Much NORVIR?

If you think that you took more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

As with all prescription medicines, NORVIR should be kept out of the reach of young children. NORVIR liquid contains a large amount of alcohol. If a toddler or young child accidentally drinks more than the recommended dose of NORVIR, it could make him/her sick from too much alcohol. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately if this happens.

Who Should Not Take NORVIR?

Together with your doctor, you need to decide whether NORVIR is right for you.

• Do not take NORVIR if you are taking certain medicines. These could cause serious side effects that could cause death. Before you take NORVIR, you must tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking or are planning to take. These include other prescription and non-prescription medicines and herbal supplements.

For more information about medicines you should not take with NORVIR, please read the section "MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH NORVIR."

• Do not take NORVIR if you have had a serious allergic reaction to NORVIR or any of its ingredients.