Norvir

What is it?

A protease inhibitor that slows the spread of HIV between cells. It is available as soft capsules containing 100mg of ritonavir. Also, NORVIR SOLUTION, containing 80mg of ritonavir per ml. Used fbr: with retroviral drugs to treat HIV-1 infected patients.

Dosage

Adults, 600mg twice each day, ideally with food. Patients on single protease inhibitor regimens, 300mg twice each day to start with for 3 days. Then, increase by 100mg twice each day, until 600mg is being taken twice daily within 2 weeks. Patients on dual protease inhibitor regimens should start at lower doses. Children, aged over 2 years, 250mg per metre squared of body surface area twice each day at first, increasing every 2 to 3 days by 50mg per metre squared to maintenance dose in order of 350mg per metre squared, twice every day. The daily maximum is 600mg twice daily. Older children can be treated with capsules.

Special Care

Pregnancy, diabetes, diarrhoea, mild to moderate liver disorder, haemophilia.

Avoid Use

Children aged under 2 years, severe diseases of the liver.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Other protease inhibitors, methadone, drugs metabolised by cytoehrome P 450, ketoconazole, sedatives, amphetamines, hypnotics, rifabutin, saquinavir, clarithromyein, oral contraceptives, theophylline, metronidazol, disulfiram, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Weakness, headache, gastrointestinal upset, alteration of taste, numbness or pins and needles sensations, hyperlipidaernia (high blood lipid levels), diabetes, insulin resistance, lipodystrophy (abnormality in fat metabolism), changes in the blood.