Lopinavir and ritonavir are antiviral medications that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.
Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra) is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Kaletra may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
This medicine can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain other medicines at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Call your doctor at once if you have a headache with chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, and severe dizziness.
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to lopinavir or ritonavir.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Kaletra. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
To make sure Kaletra is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. But HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Kaletra on the baby.
Kaletra can make birth control pills or patches less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking Kaletra.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
Kaletra is not approved for use by anyone younger than 14 days old. Premature infants should not receive the medication until it has been 14 days after their original due date.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking Kaletra and call your doctor at once if you have:
Kaletra may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with Kaletra. Tell your doctor if you have:
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you take Kaletra liquid and you also take didanosine (Videx), take the didanosine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Kaletra liquid.
Kaletra liquid contains alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine.
Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Many drugs can interact with Kaletra. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Kaletra. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Follow all directions on your prescription label, especially when giving the medicine to a child. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
If a child is taking this medication, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Kaletra doses are based on weight in children.
Do not crush, chew, or break a Kaletra tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
Kaletra tablets can be taken with or without food.
Kaletra liquid should be taken with food. Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
While using Kaletra, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store Kaletra liquid in the refrigerator or at room temperature. If you store the liquid at room temperature you must use it within 60 days.
Store the tablets at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Keep the pills in their original container with the cap tightly closed.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Kaletra oral liquid could be fatal to a child.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Copyright 1996-2019 Cerner Multum, Inc.
Latest Update: 11/9/2018, Version: 11.03