Ritonavir Oral
Generic Name: RITONAVIR SOLUTION - ORALPronounced: (rye-TAWN-uh-veer)
Ritonavir Oral Uses
This drug, used in combination with at least 2 other medications, helps to control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV complications (e.g., new infections, cancer). Ritonavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.
Ritonavir is not a cure for HIV and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing used needles).
How To Use Ritonavir Oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking ritonavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Shake the bottle well before each dose. Take this medication by mouth with a meal or up to 2 hours after a meal, usually 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will start you on a low dose, then increase the dose every 2-3 days until you are taking your full dose. Use a dosage cup or a special medication measuring spoon to measure out the correct dose. If a dosing cup is used, rinse the cup with water after taking the medication and drink all of the rinse water to make sure you take the full dose.
The dosage is based on your weight, liver function, medical condition, other medications, and response to therapy.
It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Do not take more or less of this drug 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.
