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NAME
Lopinavir/ritonavir |
BRAND
Kaletra |
CLASS
HIV protease inhibitor (PI) |
COST
$8,125/yr., $677/month |
STANDARD DOSE
Three soft-gelatin capsules (133.3 mg lopinavir and 33.3 mg ritnaovir each) twice a day, preferably with food; liquid formula available. Take missed dose as soon as possible. |
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Rash, loose stools, diarrhea, nausea, headache, muscle weakness, and increased cholesterol, triglcerides (fats in the blood) and AST/ALT liver function tests, a sign of liver damage) there were not fasting samples, need for the most accurate results. Seen with all older protease inhibitors (except Agenerase) are high blood levels of cholesterol and triglyecerides (fats) and perhaps associated heart disease, lipodystrophy (body fat changes, including thinning of the face, arms and legs, with or without fat accumulation in the stomach, breasts, and sometimes upper back) worsening or new cases of diabetes, symptoms include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and dry itchy skin, see your doctor promptly and increased bleeding in hemophiliacs. |
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS
Do not use Zocor or Mevacor lipid-lowering drugs; suggested alternatives are Liptiro, Lescol, Baycol and Pravachol (looks best on paper for protease inhibitors) Hismanal, Orap, quindine, Rythmol,Seldane, Tambocor, Vascor, and Versed. Protease inhibitors increase blood levels of Viagra (sidenafil citrate_ and Viagra dose should be started at 12.5 mg increased as needed and tolerated. One report suggested Viagra should start at half that when taken by someone on Norvir. It's recommended that people do not exceed 25 mg in a 48 hour period because of potential for fatal reaction. The street drug ecstasy is greatly increased by Norvir, and at least one death attributed to the combination. Mycobutin (rifabutin) Phenobarbital, phenytoin dexmethasone and carbamazepine (tegretol and others) Viramune and Sustiva decrease blood levels of Kaletra. Rudes effectiveness of birth control pills use alternative contraceptives. Oral solution contain alcohol, so do not use with Antabuse or Flagyl. So not take with flecainide, propatenone, Hismanol, Seldane, rifampin, ergot deritacies (such as Cafetrate, Caregot, Wigraine and Methergine, in any serious interactions seen with dilation during gynecological exams) D.H.E. 45, St. John's wort, pimozide, Versed and Halicon. (Also dihydropuridine calcium channel blockers) Videx should be given an hour before (or two hours after) Kaletra is taken with food. Ributin dose must be lowered. |
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