DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Ritonavir

March 21, 2017

Ritonavir Oral capsule, liquid filled

What is this medicine?

RITONAVIR (ri TOE na veer) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • diabetes

  • hemophilia

  • high cholesterol or triglycerides

  • liver disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to ritonavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • alfuzosin

  • certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole

  • certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, dronedarone, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine

  • cisapride

  • conivaptan

  • eplerenone

  • ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

  • lovastatin

  • meperidine

  • midazolam

  • pimozide

  • ranolazine

  • red yeast rice

  • rifapentine

  • simvastatin

  • St. John's wort

  • thioridazine

  • triazolam

  • ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • atovaquone

  • birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections

  • certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

  • certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin

  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

  • certain medicines for erectile dysfunction

  • certain medicines for seizures

  • certain medicines for sleep

  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

  • clarithromycin

  • cyclosporine

  • dronabinol

  • methamphetamine

  • other antivirals for HIV or AIDS

  • other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

  • rifabutin

  • rifampin

  • rivaroxaban

  • sirolimus

  • steroid medicines like budesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, prednisone

  • tacrolimus

  • theophylline

  • tramadol

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom or diaphragm.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • decreased appetite

  • diarrhea

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • increased hunger or thirst

  • increased urination

  • tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or around the mouth

  • unusually weak or tired

  • weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store this medicine in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). You may store this medicine at room temperature, below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) if you use it all within 30 days. Protect from light and high heat. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Ritonavir Oral solution

What is this medicine?

RITONAVIR (ri TOE na veer) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • diabetes

  • hemophilia

  • high cholesterol or triglycerides

  • liver disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to ritonavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. You can mix the dose with chocolate milk, Ensure, or Advera to make it taste better. Take the medicine within 1 hour if you mix it with these items. Throw it away if you cannot take it within 1 hour. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • alfuzosin

  • certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole

  • certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, dronedarone, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine

  • cisapride

  • conivaptan

  • disulfiram

  • eplerenone

  • ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

  • lovastatin

  • meperidine

  • metronidazole

  • midazolam

  • pimozide

  • ranolazine

  • red yeast rice

  • rifapentine

  • simvastatin

  • St. John's wort

  • thioridazine

  • triazolam

  • ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • atovaquone

  • birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections

  • certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

  • certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin

  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

  • certain medicines for erectile dysfunction

  • certain medicines for seizures

  • certain medicines for sleep

  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

  • clarithromycin

  • cyclosporine

  • dronabinol

  • methamphetamine

  • other antivirals for HIV or AIDS

  • other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

  • rifabutin

  • rifampin

  • rivaroxaban

  • sirolimus

  • steroid medicines like budesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, prednisone

  • tacrolimus

  • theophylline

  • tramadol

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom or diaphragm.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • decreased appetite

  • diarrhea

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • increased hunger or thirst

  • increased urination

  • tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or around the mouth

  • unusually weak or tired

  • weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Do not refrigerate. Keep in the original container. Protect from heat and light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Ritonavir Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

RITONAVIR (ri TOE na veer) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • diabetes

  • hemophilia

  • high cholesterol or triglycerides

  • liver disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to ritonavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • alfuzosin

  • certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole

  • certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, dronedarone, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine

  • cisapride

  • conivaptan

  • eplerenone

  • ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

  • lovastatin

  • meperidine

  • midazolam

  • pimozide

  • ranolazine

  • red yeast rice

  • rifapentine

  • simvastatin

  • St. John's wort

  • thioridazine

  • triazolam

  • ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • atovaquone

  • birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections

  • certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

  • certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin

  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

  • certain medicines for erectile dysfunction

  • certain medicines for seizures

  • certain medicines for sleep

  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

  • clarithromycin

  • cyclosporine

  • dronabinol

  • methamphetamine

  • other antivirals for HIV or AIDS

  • other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

  • rifabutin

  • rifampin

  • rivaroxaban

  • sirolimus

  • steroid medicines like budesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, prednisone

  • tacrolimus

  • theophylline

  • tramadol

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom or diaphragm.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

  • decreased appetite

  • diarrhea

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • increased hunger or thirst

  • increased urination

  • tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or around the mouth

  • unusually weak or tired

  • weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store this medicine at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert