Should Someone With Hiv Take Ritonavir

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Ritonavir (Norvir)

What Is Ritonavir? Ritonavir is a drug used as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is also called Norvir ® . It is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor. These drugs prevent the protease enzyme from working. HIV protease acts like a chemical scissor. It cuts the raw material for HIV into specific pieces needed to build a new virus. Protease inhibitors "gum up" these scissors. Who Should Take It?...

Ask the Experts

Other uses of Ritonavir besides HIV ?!?!?

I'm a 24yo gay male who has been dating a guy now for several months. Let's call him Jim for now :-)Earlier today I found a prescription bottle of the drug RITONAVIR at his house (100mg, one a day). I'm a recent Molecular Cell...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hello,Unless I'm missing something, ritonavir (Norvir) is only used for the treatment of HIV. The medication is largely used as a pharmacologic booster for other HIV medications (protease inhibitors). This same activity, in priniciple, could be... Read more »

HCV and Ritonavir

Hello Dr. Gallant Can Ritonavir be harmful to the liver when i have HIV and a chronic Hepatitis C with no elevated liverenzymes ? Thank you. HCV and Ritonavir Ritonavir can cause elevated liver enzymes. So can hepatitis C. When you have hepatitis...

Response from Joel Gallant, M.D.

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine

Ritonavir can cause elevated liver enzymes. So can hepatitis C. When you have hepatitis C and take ritonavir, elevations in liver enzymes can be confusing, because it's hard to know which is the cause. But as long as your liver function tests are... Read more »

Interactions of Zolpidem w/ Ritonavir

I have HIV and am on Ritonavir. I had a TBI two yrs ago and have read that Stilnox (Zolpidem) could improve my motor function / speech (google 'Sleeping pill has different effects in brain damaged patients' for more info) but am...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

There is a potential drug interaction between protease inhibitors and the zolpidem (Ambien in US) potentially resulting in much higher zolpidem levels win greater likelihood of serious side effects. Often dose of zolpidem is lowered and situation is... Read more »

Ritonavir sensitivity w/Kaletra

Hello Docs,I have been HIV+ for 5 years and started treatment of Abacavir,Ritonavir/Lopinavir, and Epivir about 4 weeks ago. I am currently experiencing dehydration, due to the Ritonavir (I am taking Kaletra in Capsule form and do refrigerate...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

The loprinavir has much better plasma levels when taken with the ritonavir so I doubt Abbott plans to market the loprinavir by itself anytime soon. There are persons who are ritonavir-sensitive that I have seen that simply have a hard time with... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Articles

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Trial of Efavirenz vs. Lopinavir/Ritonavir in HIV+ Treatment-Naive Subjects With CD4+ Less Than 200

Antiretroviral therapy based on efavirenz (EFV) is more effective than lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)-based therapy among treatment-naïve patients with advanced disease, a new study found. The study enrolled 189 patients with CD4+ counts of less... Read more »

Once-Daily 150-mg Maraviroc Explored in People Taking Atazanavir/Ritonavir

HIV-positive people taking standard-dose atazanavir/ritonavir plus 150 mg of maraviroc once-daily had lower maraviroc maximum concentrations (Cmax) and average concentrations (Cavg) than HIV-negative people taking 300 mg of maraviroc twice daily... Read more »

The Next Generation of Boosters: Promising Data on Potential Alternatives to Ritonavir

There's nothing like hearing the results of studies directly from those who actually conducted the research. In this interview, you'll meet two of these impressive HIV researchers and read their explanation of studies they presented at CROI 2009.... Read more »

Class-Sparing Regimens for Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infection

A regimen of either efavirenz or lopinavir-ritonavir plus two nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) is recommended for HIV-1 patients starting initial therapy; however, it is not known which of these two regimens has greater efficacy.... Read more »

Connect With Others

Need Ritonavir

Posted by Anonymous

Dear Friends

I am a person living with HIV for 11 years now. Up until now I have not taken any medications apart from vitamin supplements. I have been in conflict with myself on whether to start HAART and after much sole searching have decided to... Read more »

ritonavir

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I'm looking to talk with people who are currently taking
ritonavir (Norvir) capsules and will be affected by the imminent
change to liquid ritonavir. I'm a reporter working on a story for
the journal... Read more »

ritonavir in liquid form

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

My partner just started taking ritonavir in the liquid form and it
tastes really bad. Furthermore, after taking it, he becomes very
nauseous and weak. We would like to hear from people with
... Read more »

living with hiv

Posted by micha, 2 Replies

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HIV COMING 5 YEARS AS OF MAY 14, 2002. I WAS IN A STABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH MY PARTNER OF 6 YEARS. HE WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED IN 1996. SO I KNOW THAT HE WAS HIV POSITIVE. THEN A YEAR LATER I DEVELOPED PCP AND DID NOT KNOW... Read more »

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