Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either lopinavir or ritonavir; or to other HIV protease inhibitors such as amprenavir, indinavir or saquinavir; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, high blood fat levels (cholesterol/triglycerides), bleeding problems (e.g., hemophilia), previous infection with certain diseases (e.g., hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, tuberculosis).
Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known if Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Avoid exposure to high heat. Also, in high humidity, avoid storing this product for more than 2 weeks outside of the manufacturer's original container. If this does occur, consult your pharmacist for instructions on what to do with your medication. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this product by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, break or chew the tablets.
Dosage of Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and any other anti-HIV medications you may be taking.
Taking this product once a day is not recommended if you have previously taken other drugs to treat your HIV infection. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you are taking didanosine in addition to this product, you can take it at the same time as this product, but take them both without food.
It is very important to continue taking Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) (and other anti-HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) at evenly spaced intervals. Remember to use Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) at the same time(s) each day. Do not skip any doses.
Do not take more or less of Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
Find out about other drugs that should not be taken with this product (see Drug Interactions section).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, gas, headache, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: joint/muscle pain, increased thirst, increased urination, blurred vision, confusion, rapid heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach pain, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, persistent fever, unusual tiredness.
Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect.
Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) may cause an increase in blood fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides). Cholesterol and triglyceride testing should be done before and occasionally during treatment with Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
A very serious allergic reaction to Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Kaletra side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
It is important not to miss doses of Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir). If you miss a dose of Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also How to Use section.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: alfuzosin, certain non-drowsy antihistamines, cisapride, conivaptan, eletriptan, eplerenone, ergot drugs (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine, ergotamine), ivabradine, pimozide, ranolazine, rifampin, certain sedatives (midazolam, triazolam), certain "statins" (lovastatin, simvastatin), St John's wort, voriconazole.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir).
Before using Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other HIV drugs (e.g., efavirenz, amprenavir, zidovudine, abacavir, nevirapine, atazanavir, tipranavir/ritonavir), antidepressants (e.g., bupropion, trazodone), atovaquone, other azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), calcium channel blockers (e.g., felodipine, nifedipine, nicardipine), certain cancer drugs (dasatinib, lapatinib, sunitinib), dexamethasone, drugs for erectile dysfunction (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil), fluticasone, garlic supplements, heart rhythm medication (e.g., amiodarone, bepridil, lidocaine, quinidine), drugs that suppress the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rapamycin), macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin), narcotic pain medications (e.g., methadone), rifabutin, other sedatives (alprazolam, zolpidem), seizure medication (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), solifenacin, certain other "statins" (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), temsirolimus.
Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.