Ritonavir : Before Using - Norvir, Norvir SEC

Ritonavir - Systemic

Brand Names

Norvir, Norvir SEC Ritonavir *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For ritonavir, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reaction to ritonavir. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done. However, in animal studies, ritonavir has been found to cause reduced weight and delayed growth in the infants. Ritonavir did not cause birth defects in animal studies.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether ritonavir passes into breast milk. However, breast-feeding is usually not recommended in AIDS diseaseds because of the risk of passing the AIDS virus on to the infant.

Use for Children

This drug has been tested in a limited number of children 2 years of age and older. In effective doses, the drug has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people. There is no special info comparing use of ritonavir in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription - over-the-counter "OTC " drug. When taking ritonavir, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amiodarone - Cordarone
Bepridil - Vascor
Cisapride - Propulsid
Dihydroergotamine - D.H.E. 45 injection, Migranal nasal spray
Ergonovine - Ergotrate injection
Ergotamine-containing products - Bellergal, Bellaspas, Cafergot, Wigraine
Flecainide - Tambocor
Lovastatin - Mevacor
Methylergonovine - Methergine
Midazolam - Versed
Pimozide - Orap
Propafenone - Rythmol
Quinidine - Quinidex
Simvastatin - Zocor
St. John's wort - hypericum perforatum
Triazolam - Halcion Do not take any of these medication with ritonavir

Clarithromycin - Biaxin
Desipramine - Norpramin
Didanosine - Videx
Disulfiram - Antabuse
Ethinyl estradiol-containing birth control pills except progestin only or “mini pills” - Nor-QD, Micronor, Ovrette
Indinavir - Crixivan
Ketoconazole - Nizoral
Meperidine - Demerol
Methadone - Dolophine
Metronidazole - Flagyl
Rifabutin - Mycobutin
Rifampin - Rifadin
Saquinavir - Fortovase, Invirase
Sildenafil - Viagra
Theophylline - Theo-Dur, Theochron A change in amount or how often you take these medications may be needed.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of ritonavir. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes Ritonavir may increase the amount of sugar in your blood.
Hemophilia Possible increased risk of bleeding

Liver disease or other liver problems Effects of ritonavir may be increased because of slower removal from the body