What is Ritonavir: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Ritonavir

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Ritonavir is used together with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

• Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

• Capsule or Tablet: Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

• Oral liquid: Shake well before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. You may mix the oral liquid with chocolate milk or nutritional drinks to make it taste better. Drink this medicine within 1 hour of mixing.

• The liquid form of this medicine contains alcohol and propylene glycol. Do not use a polyurethane feeding tube to give this medicine.

• Powder: Mix the oral powder with food (including applesauce or vanilla pudding) or a liquid (including water, infant formula, or chocolate milk). After mixing your medicine with food or liquid, use it within 2 hours of preparing the dose. Be sure to drink or swallow all of the mixture. If you will use a feeding tube to take your medicine, use water to mix the powder. Throw away the mixture if not used within 2 hours and prepare a new dose.

• Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Powder: Store the packets at room temperature or in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct light.

• Liquid: Store in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not refrigerate.

• Tablets: Store in a closed container at room temperature or in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct light. Do not store this medicine out of the original container in places with high humidity for more than 2 weeks.

• Capsules: Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature in a closed container. If stored at room temperature, use the medicine within 30 days. Keep away from heat and direct light.

• Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

• The liquid form of this medicine contains alcohol and propylene glycol. Do not use a polyurethane feeding tube to give this medicine.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Ritonavir is used together with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

• Oral liquid: Shake well before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. You may mix the oral liquid with chocolate milk or nutritional drinks to make it taste better. Drink this medicine within 1 hour of mixing.

• Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

• Liquid: Store in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not refrigerate.

• Capsules: Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature in a closed container. If stored at room temperature, use the medicine within 30 days. Keep away from heat and direct light.

• Tablets: Store in a closed container at room temperature or in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct light. Do not store this medicine out of the original container in places with high humidity for more than 2 weeks.

• Capsule or Tablet: Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Powder: Mix the oral powder with food (including applesauce or vanilla pudding) or a liquid (including water, infant formula, or chocolate milk). After mixing your medicine with food or liquid, use it within 2 hours of preparing the dose. Be sure to drink or swallow all of the mixture. If you will use a feeding tube to take your medicine, use water to mix the powder. Throw away the mixture if not used within 2 hours and prepare a new dose.

• Powder: Store the packets at room temperature or in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct light.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ritonavir

Ritonavir contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to ritonavir.

Ritonavir warnings

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have become pregnant while using this medicine. Use an additional form of birth control along with your birth control pills to keep from getting pregnant. Other forms of birth control include condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly.

• The oral liquid form contains alcohol, which should not be given to pregnant women and preterm babies.

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, high cholesterol, or hemophilia.

• Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsPancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)Serious skin reactionsChanges in heart rhythm, including PR prolongationHigh cholesterol or triglyceridesHigh blood sugar levels, which could become permanentIncreased risk of bleeding

• Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. This could cause a hidden infection in your body to become active. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

Ritonavir interactions

• Do not use this medicine if you are also using alfuzosin, amiodarone, apalutamide, cisapride, colchicine, dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, ergotamine, flecainide, lomitapide, lovastatin, lurasidone, methylergonovine, oral midazolam, pimozide, propafenone, quinidine, ranolazine, sildenafil, simvastatin, St John's wort, triazolam, or voriconazole.

• Many other drugs can interact with ritonavir. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsPancreatitisChanges in heart rhythm, such as PR prolongationHigh cholesterol or triglyceridesHigh blood sugar levels, a problem that could become permanent

• Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking an HIV medicine. Infections that were hidden in your body, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, might start to have symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

• The liquid form of this medicine contains alcohol.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.