Daily Medication Pearl: Ritonavir (Norvir)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Ritonavir (Norvir)

Indication: Ritonavir (Norvir) tablets and oral solution are HIV protease inhibitors indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

Insight:

• Dosing: Adult patients 600 mg twice-daily with meals
• Dosage forms: Tablet 100 mg; oral solution 80 mg per milliliter; oral powder 100 mg per packet.
• Adverse events: The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions among patients receiving ritonavir alone or in combination with other antiretroviral drugs were gastrointestinal (including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain (upper and lower), neurological disturbances (including paresthesia and oral paresthesia), rash, and fatigue/asthenia.
• Mechanism of action: Ritonavir is a peptidomimetic inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease. Inhibition of HIV protease renders the enzyme incapable of processing the Gag-Pol polyprotein precursor, which leads to production of non-infectious immature HIV particles.

Reference: NORVIR (ritonavir) Label (fda.gov)