Kaletra (Lopinavir/Ritonavir)

What is Kaletra?

Kaletra belongs to a class of HIV medicines called protease inhibitors. It is a combination of two antiviral drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir.

What is Kaletra used for?

Kaletra is used with other medicines to help control HIV infection (which causes AIDS or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). However, this medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. It lowers the risk of getting HIV disease complications.

How does Kaletra work?

Kaletra works by keeping HIV (virus) from reproducing in the body. The ritonavir in this medicine helps the lopinavir stay in the body. This ultimately builds up the amount of lopinavir in the body and thus, increases its effectiveness.

How to use Kaletra

Kaletra should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

The medicine is usually taken once or twice daily (as directed by the doctor). It can be taken with or without food. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet. Swallow it. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

If you are taking the medicine in liquid form, make sure that you measure the dose using a special dose-measuring spoon and not a regular tablespoon or teaspoon.

Get your blood and liver function tested on a regular basis.

Kaletra warnings and precautions

Do not take this medicine with drugs like pimozide (Orap), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), oral midazolam (Versed), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rimactane), St. John's wort, triazolam (Halcion), sildenafil (Revatio, for pulmonary arterial hypertension), or an ergot medicine (e.g., Cafergot, D.H.E. 45, Ergotrate, Embolex, Wigraine, Wigrettes, Migranal, Medihaler Ergotamine, or Methergine).

Do not take disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl), with Kaletra as it can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Avoid taking alcohol while using Kaletra.

If you take didanosine (Videx) and Kaletra liquid, keep a gap of at least 2 hours after or an hour before taking Kaletra liquid.

Prior to taking the medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver or heart disease, pancreas problem, diabetes, personal or family history of “Long QT Syndrome”, bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, high triglyce

What do I do if I have missed a Kaletra dose?

If you have missed your Kaletra dose, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next (scheduled) dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Kaletra overdose?

If you have taken a Kaletra overdose, you should seek emergency medical attention.

Kaletra interactions

Before taking Kaletra, consult your doctor if you take rifabutin (Mycobutin), ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox); antidepressant medication such as trazodone (Desyrel); insulin or diabetes medicines taken orally; warfarin (Coumadin); salmeterol (Serevent) or fluticasone (Advair, Flovent, Flonase); cholesterol-lowering medication such as rosuvastatin (Crestor), or atorvastatin (Lipitor); medicines for seizure, e.g., carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol), phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin); calcium channel blockers such as felodipine (Plendil), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia); medicines for treatment of erectile dysfunction, such as tadalafil (Cialis), sildenafil (Viagra), or vardenafil (Levitra); heart rhythm medicines such as quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), or amiodarone (Cordarone); drugs which weaken immune system, e.g., cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimm

Kaletra side effects

Kaletra side effects include hives, fever, sore throat, headache, red skin, uneven heart rate, dizziness, fainting, extreme thirst, increased frequency of urination, bruising, bleeding, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, breathing trouble; swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat; and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using Kaletra, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor.

Headache, weakness, mood changes, mild skin rash, mild nausea, diarrhea, numbness or tingling, and changes in shape or location of body fat are some less serious side effects of Kaletra.