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tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lopinavir, ritonavir (Norvir), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in lopinavir and ritonavir tablets or solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
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some medications should not be taken with lopinavir and ritonavir. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with lopinavir and ritonavir. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting lopinavir and ritonavir with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking lopinavir and ritonavir, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist..
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the following herbal product may interact with lopinavir and ritonavir: St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking lopinavir and ritonavir. Do not start any of these medications while taking lopinavir and ritonavir without discussing with your healthcare provider.
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if you are taking didanosine, take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take lopinavir and ritonavir solution with food. If you are taking lopinavir and ritonavir tablets, you may take them on an empty stomach at the same time as you take didanosine.
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you should know that lopinavir and ritonavir may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections). Talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control.
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tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), an irregular heartbeat, a low level of potassium in your blood, hemophilia, high cholesterol or triglycerides (fat) in the blood, pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), or heart or liver disease.
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tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lopinavir and ritonavir, call your doctor. You should not breast-feed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking lopinavir and ritonavir.
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you should know that certain ingredients in lopinavir and ritonavir solution may cause serious and life-threatening side effects in newborn babies. Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution should not be given to full-term babies younger than 14 days old or to premature babies younger than 14 days past their original due date, unless a doctor thinks there is a good reason for the baby to receive the medication right after birth. If your baby's doctor chooses to give your baby lopinavir and ritonavir solution immediately after birth, your baby will be monitored carefully for signs of serious side effects. Call your baby's doctor immediately if your baby is very sleepy or has changes in breathing during his or her treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution.
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you should be aware that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body, such as your upper back, neck (''buffalo hump''), breasts, and around your stomach. You may notice a loss of body fat from your face, legs, and arms.
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you should know that you may experience hyperglycemia (increases in your blood sugar) while you are taking this medication, even if you do not already have diabetes. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while you are taking lopinavir and ritonavir: extreme thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision, or weakness. It is very important to call your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms, because high blood sugar that is not treated can cause a serious condition called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis may become life-threatening if it is not treated at an early stage. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include: dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, and decreased consciousness.
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you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir, be sure to tell your doctor.