Can you answer the following questions about
Norvir®?
What is the generic name? Any abbreviations?
What "class" antiretroviral is it and how does it work?
With food, without food or food doesn't matter?
Any special storage instructions?
What are the capsules stability if left un-refrigerated?
Any side effects?
Any possible drug interactions?
What is a typical dose?
Any other significant counseling points?
Norvir ® (Ritonavir) is a protease inhibitor
(PI) that suppresses viral replication.
The FDA approved dose is 600 mg
bid, which may be escalated to improve
tolerability. However, ritonavir is often used in combination with other
protease inhibitors to improve their pharmacokinetics (e.g., reduced pill
burden and dosing frequencies).
Norvir ® (Ritonavir) should be taken with food to improve tolerability and increase
its absorption.
Norvir ® (Ritonavir) capsules should be
refrigerated; solution should be stored at room
temperature. Patient may keep capsules at room temperature for up to 30
days.
Side effects include GI
intolerance, paresthesias,
taste disturbances, and hepatitis.
Hyperglycemia, fat
redistribution, and cholesterol abnormalities have been
associated with the use of PIs.
Be sure to check for drug interactions. Ritonavir is a potent inhibitor of
cytochrome P450 enzymes. It is also a mild inducer of certain isoenzymes as
well.
As with all antiretrovirals, adherence is
crucial. Non-adherence is a
frequent cause of drug failure and viral resistance, not only to ritonavir,
but to other PIs as well.
