Ritonavir

Ritonavir 250 mg: An Overview Introduction Ritonavir 250 mg is a medication used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. It is a protease inhibitor and works by reducing the amount of HIV in the blood. It is available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, oral solution, and powder for oral solution. In this article, we will discuss the uses, dosage, side effects, and interactions of ritonavir 250 mg in detail.

Uses of Ritonavir 250 mg Ritonavir 250 mg is used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection in adults and children over the age of 1 month. It is also used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV infection in pregnant women to prevent transmission of HIV to the baby during childbirth. Ritonavir 250 mg is also used off-label to treat certain types of cancer, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and pancreatic cancer.

Dosage of Ritonavir 250 mg The dosage of ritonavir 250 mg varies depending on the patient's condition, weight, and other medications they are taking. The usual adult dose of ritonavir 250 mg is 600 mg taken twice a day with food. For children, the dosage is based on body surface area and is given once or twice a day with food. Ritonavir 250 mg should be taken at the same time every day and should not be missed or skipped. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, but not if it is almost time for the next dose.

Side Effects of Ritonavir 250 mg Like all medicines, ritonavir 250 mg can cause side effects, although not everyone who takes it will experience them. Common side effects of ritonavir 250 mg include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Increased appetite
• Weight gain
• High blood sugar levels
• High cholesterol levels
• Redistribution of body fat

Serious side effects of ritonavir 250 mg are rare but can include:

• Severe allergic reactions
• Liver problems
• Increased risk of heart attack
• Increased risk of stroke
• Increased risk of pancreatitis
• Increased risk of diabetes

Interactions of Ritonavir 250 mg Ritonavir 250 mg can interact with other medications, which can affect how it works or increase the risk of side effects. Medications that can interact with ritonavir 250 mg include:

• Other antiretroviral drugs
• Antifungal drugs (e.g., ketoconazole)
• Antibiotics (e.g., rifampin)
• Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin)
• Anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., alprazolam)
• Anti-cancer drugs (e.g., vincristine)
• Anti-migraine drugs (e.g., ergotamine)
• Lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., lovastatin)
• Prostaglandins (e.g., sildenafil)
• Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone)
• Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine)
• Hormonal birth control (e.g., combined oral contraceptive)
• Hormone replacement therapy (e.g., estradiol)
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., fluticasone)

Contraindications of Ritonavir 250 mg Ritonavir 250 mg is contraindicated in patients who have a hypersensitivity to ritonavir or any of its inactive ingredients. It is also contraindicated in patients who are taking certain medications that can interact with ritonavir 250 mg, such as alfuzosin, amiodarone, bepridil, certain cholesterol-lowering medications (lovastatin and simvastatin), cisapride, colchicine, dronedarone, flecainide, lurasidone, methadone, midazolam, pimozide, propafenone, quinidine, ranolazine, sildenafil (Revatio), tadalafil (Adcirca), triazolam, and voriconazole.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Ritonavir 250 mg is classified as FDA pregnancy category B, which means that it is not expected to cause harm to the fetus. However, the use of ritonavir 250 mg during pregnancy to prevent transmission of HIV to the baby is recommended only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Ritonavir 250 mg passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a nursing baby. Therefore, HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed their babies.

Conclusion Ritonavir 250 mg is a protease inhibitor used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. It works by reducing the amount of HIV in the blood. The dosage of ritonavir 250 mg varies depending on the patient's weight and other medications they are taking. Common side effects of ritonavir 250 mg include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Ritonavir 250 mg can interact with other medications and can cause serious side effects such as liver problems and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It is contraindicated in patients who have a hypersensitivity to ritonavir or are taking certain medications that can interact with it. Ritonavir 250 mg is classified as FDA pregnancy category B and may pass into breast milk.

References

1. Norvir (ritonavir) [prescribing information]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc; 2022.
2. Ritonavir. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698001.html. Updated May 15, 2022. Accessed July 25, 2022.
3. Ritonavir. HIV.gov. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/just-diagnosed-basics/treatment-options/art-medication-list/ritonavir-norvir. Updated September 20, 2022. Accessed July 25, 2022.
4. Ritonavir. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/monograph/ritonavir.html. Updated July 25, 2022. Accessed July 25, 2022.
5. Ritonavir. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ritonavir. Updated July 25, 2022. Accessed July 25, 2022.

Tables

Table 1: Common Side Effects of Ritonavir 250 mg

Table 2: Serious Side Effects of Ritonavir 250 mg

Table 3: Medications That Can Interact with Ritonavir 250 mg

Table 4: Contraindications of Ritonavir 250 mg

Table 5: Pregnancy and Breastfeeding