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Therapeutic action
- Antiretroviral, HIV protease inhibitor
Indications
- Booster for protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir, etc.) in HIV infection. Ritonavir should not be used alone.
Forms and strengths
- 25 mg and 100 mg tablets
- 80 mg/ml oral solution, containing 43% alcohol (v/v), with a graduated syringe for oral administration
Also comes in fixed dose combinations containing ritonavir.
Dosage
Dosage depends on the administration schedule of the boosted protease inhibitor.
- Child 10 to < 14 kg: 40 mg 2 times daily
- Child 14 to < 25 kg: 50 mg 2 times daily or 100 mg once daily
- Child ≥ 25 kg and adult: 100 mg once or 2 times daily
Weight |
80 mg/ml oral sol.* |
25 mg tab |
100 mg tab |
---|---|---|---|
10 to < 14 kg | 0.5 ml x 2 | – | – |
14 to < 25 kg | 0.6 ml x 2 or 1.25 ml x 1 |
2 tab x 2 |
– |
≥ 25 kg and adult | – | – | 1 tab x 1 or 2 |
* For doses less than 0.8 ml, use a 1 ml syringe graduated 0.01 ml.
Duration
- The duration of treatment depends on the efficacy and tolerance of the boosted protease inhibitor and ritonavir.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
- Administer with caution and monitor use in patients with haemophilia (increased bleeding).
- The adverse effects of ritonavir as a booster are also dependent on the boosted protease inhibitor.
- May cause:
- gastrointestinal disturbances, fatigue, headache, dizziness, paraesthesia, joint and muscle pain, hyperglycaemia, lipodystrophy, conduction disorders;
- pancreatitis, hepatic disorders, skin rash sometimes severe; in this event, stop treatment immediately.
- Administer with caution and monitor combination with metronidazole when using oral solution of ritonavir that contains alcohol (risk of antabuse reaction).
- Ritonavir reduces the efficacy of oral contraceptives.
- Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED for oral solution; no contra-indication for tablets
Remarks
- Take with meals.
- The oral solution has a bitter taste.
Storage
–
– Below 25 °C
Do not refrigerate or freeze the oral solution.