Ritonavir
Also sold as: Norvir, Kaletra
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: HIV Protease Inhibitors (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets are a fixed-dose combination of HIV-1 antiviral drugs lopinavir [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] and ritonavir. As co-formulated in lopinavir and ritonavir tablets, ritonavir inhibits the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of lopinavir, thereby providing increased plasma levels of lopinavir.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Lopinavir and ritonavir is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV1 infection in adults and pediatric patients 14 days and older. Limitations of Use: Genotypic or phenotypic testing and/or treatment history should guide the use of lopinavir and ritonavir. The number of baseline lopinavir resistance-associated substitutions affects the virologic response to lopinavir and ritonavir [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. Lopinavir and ritonavir is an HIV-1 protease inhibitor indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients (14 days and older). ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Tablets: May be taken with or without food, swallowed whole and not chewed, broken, or crushed. ( 2.1 ) Adults ( 2.3 ): Total recommended daily dosage is 800/200 mg given once or twice daily. Lopinavir and ritonavir can be given as once daily or twice daily regimen. See Full Prescribing Information for details. Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily dosing regimen is not recommended in: Adult patients with three or more of the following lopinavir resistance-associated substitutions: L10F/I/R/V, K20M/N/R, L24I, L33F, M36I, I47V, G48V, I54L/T/V, V82A/C/F/S/T, and I84V. ( 12.4 ) In combination with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin. ( 7.3 ) In combination with efavirenz, nevirapine, or nelfinavir. ( 12.3 ) In pregnant women. ( 2.5 , 8.1 , 12.3 ) Pediatric Patients (14 days and older) ( 2.4 ): Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily dosing regimen is not recommended in pediatric patients. Twice daily dose is based on body weight or body surface area. Concomitant Therapy in Adults and Pediatric Patients: Dose adjustments of lopinavir and ritonavir may be needed when co-administering with efavirenz, nevirapine, or nelfinavir. ( 2.3 , 2.4 , 7.3 ) Pregnancy ( 2.5 ): 400/100 mg twice daily in pregnant patients with no documented lopinavir-associated resistance substitutions. There are insufficient data to recommend a lopinavir and ritonavir dose for pregnant patients with any documented lopinavir and ritonavir -associated resistance substitutions. No dose adjustment of lopinavir and ritonavir is required for patients during the postpartum period. 2.1 General Administration Recommendations Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets may be taken with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed, broken, or crushed. 2.3 Dosage Recommendations in Adults Lopinavir and ritonavir can be given in once daily or twice daily dosing regimen at dosages noted in Tables 1 and 2. Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily dosing regimen is not recommended in: • Adult patients with three or more of the following lopinavir resistance-associated substitutions: L10F/I/R/V, K20M/N/R, L24I, L33F, M36I, I47V, G48V, I54L/T/V, V82A/C/F/S/T, and I84V [ see Microbiology ( 12.4 ) ]. • In combination with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.3 )]. • In combination with efavirenz, nevirapine, or nelfinavir [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.3) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. • In pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )]. In pregnant women [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Table 1. Recommended Dosage in Adults -Lopinavir And Ritonavir Once Daily Regimen Lopinavir And Ritonavir Dosage Form Recommended Dosage 200 mg/50 mg Tablets 800 mg/200 mg (4 tablets) once daily Table 2. Recommended Dosage in Adults -Lopinavir And Ritonavir Twice Daily Regimen Lopinavir And Ritonavir Dosage Form Recommended Dosage 200 mg/50 mg Tablets 400 mg/100 mg (2 tablets) twice daily The dose of lopinavir and ritonavir must be increased when administered in combination with efavirenz, nevirapine or nelfinavir. Table 3 outlines the dosage recommendations for twice daily dosing when lopinavir and ritonavir is taken in combination with these agents. Table 3. Recommended Dosage in Adults -Lopinavir And Ritonavir Twice Daily Regimen in Combination with Efavirenz, Nevirapine, or Nelfinavir Lopinavir And Ritonavir Dosage Form Recommended Dosage 200 mg/50 mg Tablets and 100 mg/25 mg Tablets 500 mg/125 mg (2 tablets of 200 mg/50 mg + 1 tablet of 100 mg/25 mg) twice daily 2.4 Dosage Recommendations in Pediatric Patients Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets are not recommended for once daily dosing in pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age. Lopinavir and ritonavir 100/25 mg tablets should be considered only in children who have reliably demonstrated the ability to swallow the intact tablet. Pediatric Dosage Calculations Calculate the appropriate dose of lopinavir and ritonavir for each individual pediatric patient based on body weight (kg) or body surface area (BSA) to avoid underdosing or exceeding the recommended adult dose. Body surface area (BSA) can be calculated as follows: The lopinavir and ritonavir dose can be calculated based on weight or BSA: Based on Weight : Patient Weight (kg) × Prescribed lopinavir dose (mg/kg) = Administered lopinavir dose (mg) Based on BSA: Patient BSA (m 2 ) × Prescribed lopinavir dose (mg/m 2 ) = Administered lopinavir dose (mg) Tablet Dosage Recommendation in Pediatric Patients Older than 6 Months to Less than 18 Years: Table 5 provides the dosing recommendations for pediatric patients older than 6 months to less than 18 years of age based on body weight or body surface area for lopinavir and ritonavir tablets. Table 5. Lopinavir And Ritonavir Tablet Daily Dosage Recommendations in Pediatric Patients > 6 Months to < 18 Years of Age Without Concomitant Ef
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling. QT Interval Prolongation, PR Interval Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 , 5.6 )] Drug Interactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Commonly reported adverse reactions to lopinavir and ritonavir included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Macleods Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-888-943-3210 1-855-926-3384 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adverse Reactions in Adults The safety of lopinavir and ritonavir has been investigated in about 2,600 patients in Phase II-IV clinical trials, of which about 700 have received a dose of 800/200 mg (6 capsules or 4 tablets) once daily. Along with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), in some studies, lopinavir and ritonavir was used in combination with efavirenz or nevirapine. In clinical studies the incidence of diarrhea in patients treated with either lopinavir and ritonavir capsules or tablets was greater in those patients treated once daily than in those patients treated twice daily. Any grade of diarrhea was reported by at least half of patients taking once daily lopinavir and ritonavir capsules or tablets. At the time of treatment discontinuation, 4.2-6.3% of patients taking once daily lopinavir and ritonavir and 1.8-3.7% of those taking twice daily lopinavir and ritonavir reported ongoing diarrhea. Commonly reported adverse reactions to lopinavir and ritonavir included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may occur at the beginning of the treatment while hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia may occur later. The following have been identified as adverse reactions of moderate or severe intensity (Table 8): Table 8. Adverse Reactions of Moderate or Severe Intensity Occurring in at Least 0.1% of Adult Patients Receiving Lopinavir And Ritonavir in Combined Phase II/IV Studies (N=2,612) System Organ Class (SOC) and Adverse Reaction n % BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDERS anemia* 54 2.1 leukopenia and neutropenia* 44 1.7 lymphadenopathy* 35 1.3 CARDIAC DISORDERS atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction* 10 0.4 atrioventricular block* 3 0.1 tricuspid valve incompetence* 3 0.1 EAR AND LABYRINTH DISORDERS vertigo* 7 0.3 tinnitus 6 0.2 ENDOCRINE DISORDERS hypogonadism* 16 0.8 1 EYE DISORDERS visual impairment* 8 0.3 GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS diarrhea* 510 19.5 nausea 269 10.3 vomiting* 177 6.8 abdominal pain (upper and lower)* 160 6.1 gastroenteritis and colitis* 66 2.5 dyspepsia 53 2.0 pancreatitis* 45 1.7 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)* 40 1.5 hemorrhoids 39 1.5 flatulence 36 1.4 abdominal distension 34 1.3 constipation* 26. 1.0 stomatitis and oral ulcers* 24 0.9 duodenitis and gastritis* 20 0.8 gastrointestinal hemorrhage including rectal hemorrhage* 13 0.5 dry mouth 9 0.3 gastrointestinal ulcer* 6 0.2 fecal incontinence 5 0.2 GENERAL DISORDERS AND ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS fatigue including asthenia* 198 7.6 HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS hepatitis including AST, ALT, and GGT increases* 91 3.5 hepatomegaly 5 0.2 cholangitis 3 0.1 hepatic steatosis 3 0.1 IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS hypersensitivity including urticaria and angioedema* 70 2.7 immune reconstitution syndrome 3 0.1 INFECTIONS AND INFESTATIONS upper respiratory tract infection* 363 13.9 lower respiratory tract infection* 202 7.7 skin infections including cellulitis, folliculitis, and furuncle* 86 3.3 METABOLISM AND NUTRITION DISORDERS hypercholesterolemia* 192 7.4 hypertriglyceridemia* 161 6.2 weight decreased* 61 2.3 decreased appetite 52 2.0 blood glucose disorders including diabetes mellitus* 30 1.1 weight increased* 20 0.8 lactic acidosis* 11 0.4 increased appetite 5 0.2 MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS musculoskeletal pain including arthralgia and back pain* 166 6.4 myalgia* 46 1.8 muscle disorders such as weakness and spasms* 34 1.3 rhabdomyolysis* 18 0.7 osteonecrosis 3 0.1 NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS headache including migraine* 165 6.3 insomnia* 99 3.8 neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy* 51 2.0 dizziness* 45 1.7 ageusia* 19 0.7 convulsion* 9 0.3 tremor* 9 0.3 cerebral vascular event* 6 0.2 PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS anxiety* 101 3.9 abnormal dreams* 19 0.7 libido decreased 19 0.7 RENAL AND URINARY DISORDERS renal failure* 31 1.2 hematuria* 20 0.8 nephritis* 3 0.1 REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND BREAST DISORDERS erectile dysfunction* 34 1.7 1 menstrual disorders -
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir can alter the plasma concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the plasma concentrations of lopinavir. The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy. ( 4 , 5.1 , 7 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Potential for Lopinavir And Ritonavir to Affect Other Drugs Lopinavir/ritonavir is an inhibitor of CYP3A and may increase plasma concentrations of agents that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A. Agents that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A and have high first pass metabolism appear to be the most susceptible to large increases in AUC (> 3-fold) when co-administered with lopinavir and ritonavir. Thus, co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events is contraindicated. Co-administration with other CYP3A substrates may require a dose adjustment or additional monitoring as shown in Table 12. Additionally, lopinavir and ritonavir induces glucuronidation. Published data suggest that lopinavir is an inhibitor of OATP1B1. These examples are a guide and not considered a comprehensive list of all possible drugs that may interact with lopinavir/ritonavir. The healthcare provider should consult appropriate references for comprehensive information. 7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Lopinavir Lopinavir/ritonavir is a CYP3A substrate; therefore, drugs that induce CYP3A may decrease lopinavir plasma concentrations and reduce lopinavir and ritonavir’s therapeutic effect. Although not observed in the lopinavir and ritonavir /ketoconazole drug interaction study, co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir and other drugs that inhibit CYP3A may increase lopinavir plasma concentrations. 7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Table 12 provides a listing of established or potentially clinically significant drug interactions. Alteration in dose or regimen may be recommended based on drug interaction studies or predicted interaction [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] for magnitude of interaction. Table 12. Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Effect on Concentration of Lopinavir or Concomitant Drug Clinical Comments HIV-1 Antiviral Agents HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: fosamprenavir/ritonavir ↓ amprenavir ↓ lopinavir An increased rate of adverse reactions has been observed with co-administration of these medications. Appropriate doses of the combinations with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established. HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: indinavir* ↑ indinavir Decrease indinavir dose to 600 mg twice daily, when co-administered with lopinavir and ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily. Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily has not been studied in combination with indinavir. HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: nelfinavir* ↑ nelfinavir ↑ M8 metabolite of nelfinavir ↓ lopinavir Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily in combination with nelfinavir is not recommended. [see Dosage and Administration (2)] . HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: ritonavir* ↑ lopinavir Appropriate doses of additional ritonavir in combination with lopinavir and ritonavir with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established. HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: saquinavir ↑ saquinavir The saquinavir dose is 1000 mg twice daily, when co-administered with lopinavir and ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily. Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily has not been studied in combination with saquinavir. HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: tipranavir* ↓ lopinavir Co-administration with tipranavir (500 mg twice daily) and ritonavir (200 mg twice daily) is not recommended. HIV CCR5 – Antagonist: maraviroc* ↑ maraviroc When co-administered, patients should receive 150 mg twice daily of maraviroc. For further details see complete prescribing information for maraviroc. Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors: efavirenz,* nevirapine* ↓ lopinavir Increase the dose of lopinavir and ritonavir to 500/125 mg when lopinavir and ritonavir tablet is coadministered with efavirenz or nevirapine. Lopinavir and ritonavir once daily in combination with efavirenz or nevirapine is not recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2)]. Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor: delavirdine ↑ lopinavir Appropriate doses of the combination with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor: didanosine Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets can be administered simultaneously with didanosine without food. For lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution, it is recommended that didanosine be administered on an empty stomach; therefore, didanosine should be given one hour before or two hours after lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution (given with food). Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor: tenofovir
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Lopinavir and ritonavir is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, urticaria, angioedema) to any of its ingredients, including ritonavir. Lopinavir and ritonavir is contraindicated with drugs that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or lifethreatening reactions [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. o Alpha 1-Adrenoreceptor Antagonist : alfuzosin o Antianginal: ranolazine o Antiarrhythmic: dronedarone o Anti-gout: colchicine o Antipsychotics: lurasidone, pimozide o Ergot Derivatives: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine o GI Motility Agent: cisapride o Hepatitis C direct acting antiviral: elbasvir/grazoprevir o HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: lovastatin, simvastatin o Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) Inhibitor: lomitapide o PDE5 Inhibitor: sildenafil (Revatio®) when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension o Sedative/Hypnotics: triazolam, orally administered midazolam Lopinavir and ritonavir is contraindicated with drugs that are potent CYP3A inducers where significantly reduced lopinavir plasma concentrations may be associated with the potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance and cross-resistance [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. o Anticancer Agents: apalutamide o Antimycobacterial: rifampin o Herbal Products: St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) Hypersensitivity to lopinavir and ritonavir tablets (e.g., toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, urticaria, angioedema) or any of its ingredients, including ritonavir. ( 4 ) Co-administration with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma levels may result in serious and/or lifethreatening events. ( 4 ) Co-administration with potent CYP3A inducers where significantly reduced lopinavir plasma concentrations may be associated with the potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance and cross resistance. ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.