RITONAVIR = RTV oral

Select language:
Enter
Download
Comment
Return to top
On this page

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    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
    or 4 tab x 1

    		 –
    ≥ 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.

    Path