Indications & Dosage
Kaletra is used for treating HIV, which leads to AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Remember that this drug does not cure HIV or AIDS, but can also relieve its symptoms. Being anti-viral drugs, Ritonavir and Lopinavir work by preventing HIV viruses from multiplying inside the patient’s body, so that the symptoms are kept under control.
Usually, an adult patient will be advised to take one Kaletra 50/200mg tablet two times a day. However, the dosage can vary depending on your medical condition and your response to the treatment. You can take Kaletra tablets with or without food. You will have to swallow the tablet whole, without breaking, chewing or crushing it.
Side Effects & Interactions
Kaletra patients can commonly experience stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, mild nausea, mild skin rash, tiredness, weakness, headache or changes in location or shape of body fat, especially on the legs, arms, face, waist, neck and breasts. These are mild side effects of the drug and subside on their own as your body adjusts to it. However, you should inform your doctor immediately if any of these worsen or persist. Seek medical attention if you develop any serious side effects of Kaletra. Such side effects include:
Fast pounding heartbeat, fainting, dizziness
Increased urination, extreme thirst
Vision changes
Signs of a new infection, including cough, flu symptoms, chills or fever
Painful erection lasting more than 4 hours
Severe pain in the upper stomach, spreading to the back, accompanied by fast heart rate, vomiting and nausea
Itching , loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice, clay-colored stools
Severe skin reaction, identified by throat soreness, fever, swelling of the tongue or face, burning in eyes, purple or red skin rash spreading to the upper part of body, including face, skin pain, peeling or blistering.
Do not buy Kaletra if you are already using antidepressants (e.g. bupropion), blood thinners (e.g. warfarin), cancer drugs (e.g. nilotinib), cholesterol lowering medicines (e.g. atorvastatin), blood pressure or heart drugs (e.g. amlodipine), heart rhythm medicines (e.g. amiodarone), HIV/AIDS medicines (e.g. efavirenz), narcotic drugs (e.g. methadone), anti-seizure medicines (e.g. carbamazepine) or drugs that weaken your immune system (e.g. cyclosporine).
Warnings & Precautions
Your doctor will want to take regular tests in order to monitor your liver function. Visit your doctor regularly and do not miss any scheduled appointments. You may also need to give blood tests regularly.
Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a liver disease, heart rhythm disorder, heart disease, pancreas problem, long QT syndrome, diabetes, bleeding disorder or hypokalemia.