Kaletra Tablets (Lopinavir, Ritonavir Tablets) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Kaletra Tablets

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Kaletra Tablets

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KALETRA
(lopinavir/ritonavir)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

KALETRA (lopinavir/ritonavir) is a co-formulation of lopinavir and ritonavir. Lopinavir is an inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease. As co-formulated in KALETRA, ritonavir inhibits the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of lopinavir, thereby providing increased plasma levels of lopinavir.

Lopinavir is chemically designated as [1S-[1R*,(R*), 3R*, 4R*]]-N-[4-[[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino]3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(phenylmethyl)pentyl]tetrahydro-alpha-(1-methylethyl)-2-oxo-1(2H)pyrimidineacetamide. Its molecular formula is C₃₇H₄₈N₄O₅, and its molecular weight is 628.80. Lopinavir is a white to light tan powder. It is freely soluble in methanol and ethanol, soluble in isopropanol and practically insoluble in water. Lopinavir has the following structural formula:

Lopinavir Structural Formula Illustration

Ritonavir is chemically designated as 10-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-1- [2-(1-methylethyl)-4thiazolyl]-3,6-dioxo-8,11-bis(phenylmethyl)-2,4,7,12-tetraazatridecan-13-oic acid, 5-thiazolylmethyl ester, [5S-(5R*,8R*,10R*,11R*)]. Its molecular formula is C₃₇H₄₈N₆O₅S₂, and its molecular weight is 720.95. Ritonavir is a white to light tan powder. It is freely soluble in methanol and ethanol, soluble in isopropanol and practically insoluble in water. Ritonavir has the following structural formula:

Ritonavir Structural Formula Illustration

KALETRA film-coated tablets are available for oral administration in two strengths:

Yellow tablets containing 200 mg of lopinavir and 50 mg of ritonavir
Pale yellow tablets containing 100 mg of lopinavir and 25 mg of ritonavir.

The yellow, 200 mg lopinavir/50 mg ritonavir, tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium stearyl fumarate. The following are the ingredients in the film coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, polyethylene glycol 3350, yellow ferric oxide E172, and polysorbate 80.

The pale yellow, 100 mg lopinavir/25 mg ritonavir, tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium stearyl fumarate. The following are the ingredients in the film coating: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol 3350, and yellow ferric oxide E172.

KALETRA oral solution is available for oral administration as 80 mg lopinavir and 20 mg ritonavir per milliliter with the following inactive ingredients: acesulfame potassium, alcohol, artificial cotton candy flavor, citric acid, glycerin, high fructose corn syrup, Magnasweet-110 flavor, menthol, natural & artificial vanilla flavor, peppermint oil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, povidone, propylene glycol, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and water.

KALETRA oral solution contains 42.4% alcohol (v/v).

What are the possible side effects of lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking ritonavir and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
increased urination or extreme thirst;
easy bruising or bleeding;
signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu...

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What are the precautions when taking lopinavir, ritonavir tablets (Kaletra Tablets)?

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either lopinavir or ritonavir; or to other HIV protease inhibitors such as amprenavir, indinavir or saquinavir; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, high blood fat levels (cholesterol/triglycerides), heart problems (coronary artery disease, heart attack), bleeding problems (e.g., hemophilia), previous infection with certain diseases (e.g., hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, tuberculosis).

Lopinavir/ritonavir...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 5/4/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.