Has your doctor prescribed you or someone close to you a medicine called Lopinavir; Ritonavir (லோபினாவிர; ரோடன்விர) as a treatment for HIV infection? It is very normal to feel a little nervous and have many questions when you see the name of such a medicine. So don't be afraid of anything. So today, let's talk about this medicine, what it does to our body, and what things to be careful about when taking it.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
Lopinavir; Ritonavir is actually a combination of two drugs in one pill . We call these antiretroviral drugs. It is usually used with other drugs to treat HIV infection. In Sri Lanka, you will often find it under the brand name `(Kaletra)`.
It is very important to remember that this is not a cure for HIV. But it does control the HIV virus in the body and reduce its activity. Also, when used correctly, it can significantly reduce , if not completely eliminate, the risk of you spreading HIV to someone else.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she should have a complete picture of your health condition. Because it is very important for your safety. Therefore, if you have any of these conditions, be sure to tell your doctor without hiding anything .
- If you have diabetes .
- If you have any type of heart disease .
- If you have a blood clotting disorder like hemophilia .
- If you have previously had pancreatitis .
- If you have any type of liver disease .
- If you have allergies to this medicine (Lopinavir, Ritonavir), other medicines, castor oil, foods, or food coloring.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are breastfeeding .
How to use the medicine correctly?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is essential to use it correctly.
- Take this capsule with a glass of water.
- This medicine should definitely be taken with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. If you take it at 8 am, take it at 8 am every day. That way, you won't forget, and the medicine will work better.
- To control the HIV virus, it is extremely important to take the correct dose, exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and on time.
- Do not stop taking the medicine or skip doses, even if you feel better. Doing so can cause the HIV virus to become resistant to this medicine and other medicines. This means that the medicine may stop working in the future. Therefore, never stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
- If you are giving this medicine to children, talk to a pediatrician about it. In some cases, even if it is prescribed to children, there are special considerations to be made.
What to do if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, less than 4 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose .
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the recommended dose, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with the medication
Lopinavir; Ritonavir is a drug that can interact with many other medications. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
The table below contains just a few examples.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Never take Lopinavir; Ritonavir with these | |
| Some medications for anxiety or sleep | Midazolam, Triazolam |
| Some cholesterol-lowering medications | Lovastatin, Simvastatin |
| Some medications for migraines | Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine |
| Herbal products | St. John's wort |
| A medicine for tuberculosis | Rifampin |
| These may interact - be sure to inform your doctor | |
| Birth control pills | All types of birth control pills |
| Medicine for sexual dysfunction | Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil |
| Antibiotics | Clarithromycin |
| Some medications for high blood pressure | Felodipine, Nifedipine |
| Types of steroids | Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Fluticasone (inhalers) |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Get regular checkups: See your doctor regularly for checkups. Tell him or her if you have any new symptoms. You may need to have some important blood work done to check your blood levels while taking this medicine.
- Prevent the spread of HIV: HIV can be spread through sexual contact or blood. Talk to your doctor about safe ways to prevent the spread of HIV.
- Special attention about birth control:
- Blood sugar levels: This medicine may increase blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor if you need to make any changes to your diet or diabetes medication.
- Keep out of the reach of children .
- Store these capsules in the fridge at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C . Throw away expired medicine.
- If you cannot refrigerate it, you should discard the medicine after 2 months if you keep it at room temperature (up to 25°C).
- Lopinavir; Ritonavir is a drug that controls HIV infection, but it is not a cure.
- This medicine should be taken with food, at the exact time prescribed by your doctor, and in the prescribed dosage. Never skip doses.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- Because this medication may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control, such as condoms.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious side effects such as severe stomach pain, skin blisters, or allergic symptoms.
- Store the medicine in the refrigerator as directed. This medicine is for you only, do not share it with others.
Birth control pills you use may be less effective while taking this medicine. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. For example, it is important to use a barrier method such as a condom.
Possible side effects
Like any medication, this can have side effects. While some are not serious, some are something you should be aware of immediately.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Things to report to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Rapid, irregular heartbeat, feeling faint. |
| Severe stomach ache | Severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting (these may be symptoms of pancreatitis). |
| Skin blisters | Redness, blistering, and peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar | More thirst than usual, hunger, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Diarrhea | This is a common side effect. |
| Headache, insomnia | Common headaches or sleep disturbances. |
| Changes in body fat deposition | Being fat around the waist and back, but thin in the arms, legs, and face. |
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