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Lopinavir + ritonavir

Kaletra.jpg

HIV seems to have a hard time developing resistanceHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to Kaletra, it has even been shown to work well as a monotherapy. Great viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. results for people on their first HIV regimen. Good results also for those heavily treatment-experienced, even those with protease inhibitor resistance.

Once daily dosing can increase side effects, especially diarrhoea, and is not recommended for pregnant women or anyone under 18. People with liverA large organ, located in the upper right abdomen, which assists in digestion by metabolising carbohydrates, fats and proteins, stores vitamins and minerals, produces amino acids, bile and cholesterol, and removes toxins from the blood. damage should avoid Kaletra altogether.

Generic name: lopinavir + ritonavir (LPV/r)
Pronunciation:lo-PIN-aveer
Brand name:Kaletra
Also known as:ABT-378
Aluvia
Drug class:protease inhibitor
Pregnancy safe?Not suitable for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should not take this treatment.
Availability in Australia:
  • Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) through S100 prescribers.
  • This drug may be available through clinical trials in Australia.
  • You may be able to import this drug from overseas for your personal use.
Presentation:200mg + 50mg ritonavir tablet; Oral solution
What the treatment guidelines say:Kaletra once or twice daily is one of four protease inhibitors currently recommended for first-time therapy.
Links:

Like most anti-HIV drugs, lopinavir + ritonavir must be taken in combination with other drugs to be completely effective. Commonly, lopinavir + ritonavir is combined with two nucleoside (NRTI) drugs, although other combinations are sometimes used. Your doctor will advise you on the right combination of drugs to suit your circumstances.

Dosage

Take two 200mg/50mg tablets twice a day

Regardless of what you read on this website or elsewhere, you should always take your medications according to your doctor's instructions. If you're unsure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

With or without food?

Lopinavir + ritonavir may be taken with or without food.

Side effects

All drugs can produce side effects in some people. These may be mild, moderate or severe, so you should be aware of potential side effects before starting any drug, and speak to your doctor if you experience side effects that concern you.

  • Common side effects may include nausea (upset stomach, feeling sick to the stomach), diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, feeling weak or tired.
  • Less common side effects may include lipodystrophy, lactic acidosis, rasied sugar or fat levels, joint pain or stiffness.
  • Rare side effects may include hyperlipidaemia, abnormal liver function.

    • It's unlikely you will experience all of these side effects, and you may not experience any side effects at all. Before starting any new drug, ask your doctor about side effects you might experience and discuss strategies for dealing with side effects if they do occur. If you experience any significant side effect you should continue taking your medicine and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Interactions with other drugs

Follow the link to PBS Consumer Medicine Information for a comprehensive list of drugs you should avoid while taking Kaletra.
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Drugs linked to heart risks, minimal

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 26 May 2011

A Canadian study has associated abacavir, efavirenz, lopinavir and ritonavir with an increased risk of heart attackA life-threatening emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off, causing the heart muscle (myocardium) to die from lack of oxygen.. The research also showed that patients with HIV had twice the risk of heart attack compared to matched HIV
negative controls. read more »

HAART on the heart

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 5 June 2009

Starting Highly Active AntiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. Therapy can improve some of the things that lead to heart problems but not all of them, a recent study has revealed. Arteries which are already thickened or hardened do not improve on treatment. Metabolic complications, including increases in blood levels of lipids, are common in people on treatment and can also contribute to this condition. read more »

New HIV treatments welcome

Media release • 1 December 2008

The listing of two new HIV treatment options on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. (PBS) is good news for people living with HIV, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has said. read more »

Good news, bad news: report from CROI

Positive Living article • John Daye • 26 March 2008

John Daye, NAPWA's Health, Treatments & Research Portfolio Co-Convenor reports from the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) held in Boston, USA from 3-6 February 2008 read more »

CROI 2007: A great leap forward

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 22 March 2007

A major scientific conference on HIV has wound up with promising news on treatments which could signal a significant improvement in HIV treatment for the first time in some years. read more »

Improved Kaletra listed on the PBS

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 5 October 2006

A new, more convenient and better-tolerated version of the protease inhibitor Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) is now available for S100 prescription on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs.] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs.. The new formulation comes in tablet form, requires no refrigeration and reduces the number of pills taken per day from six to four. read more »

Much more than a junket

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 13 October 2005

A report from the 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, held in Rio de Janiero in July. read more »

A tale of two cities

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 19 December 2004

With major medical conferences in the United States and Scotland, November was a busy month for HIV medicine. PAUL KIDD reviews some key findings. read more »

What's your problem?

Positive Living article • Dr Nick Medland • 19 December 2004

PL's resident medical expert, Dr Nick Medland, answers readers' letters about missing doses, starting treatments and sexually-transmitted infections. read more »

News and treatments briefs

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 1 October 2003
Safe sex

HIV-related news in brief from the Oct-Nov 2003 edition of Positive Living. read more »

The table below shows all the clinical trials in the database with the keyword lopinavir.

Sorry, no clinical trials database entries were found that matched your request.

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This Treatments database entry was first published on 1 June 2009 — more than two years ago.

While the content of this treatments database entry was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

This article may contain medical information. NAPWA makes every reasonable effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate, reliable and up-to-date, including obtaining technical reviews by medically-qualified reviewers, however the authors of information on this website are not qualified to give medical advice, except where explicitly stated.

The content of this website is intended to support, not replace, the relationship between people living with HIV/AIDS and their medical advisers, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

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