Ritonavir
Information about Ritonavir
Ritonavir uses
Ritonavir is used in the treatment of HIV infection.
How ritonavir works
Ritonavir is an anti-HIV medication. It works by interfering with an enzyme (protease), which is required by HIV-infected cells to make new viruses. This stops the production of new viruses.
Common side effects of ritonavir
Taste change, Nausea, Diarrhea, Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation), Dizziness, Abdominal pain, Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand), Muscle pain, Rash, Vomiting, Fatigue, Increased triglyceride level in blood, Increased glucose level in blood, Joint pain, Increased uric acid level in blood, Fainting, Abnormal liver function tests, Blurred vision, Hypersensitivity, Pancreatic inflammation, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Edema (swelling)
Available Medicine for Ritonavir
Expert advice for Ritonavir
- Ritonavir should be taken with food.
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Do not take antacids an hour before or two hours after taking Ritonavir.
- It may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how it affects you.
- Stop taking medications (prescribed for erectile dysfunction) like sildenafil or tadalafil while on treatment with this medicine.
- Your doctor may check your liver function regularly. Inform your doctor if you develop abdominal pain, loss of appetite darkened urine or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice).
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions for Ritonavir
Ritonavir
Q. What is Ritonavir used for?
It is used along with other medication for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It does not completely cure HIV or AIDS
Q. Why is ritonavir used along with lopinavir?
Ritonavir is available with lopinavir as a fixed dose combination as it improves the availability of lopinavir which helps in increasing activity against HIV
Q. Is ritonavir a protease inhibitor?
Ritonavir, a protease inhibitor