NORVIR

Drug Name: NORVIR

NORVIR DESCRIPTION:
RITONAVIR CAPSULE - ORAL (rye-TAWN-uh-veer)

COMMON NORVIR BRAND NAME(S):
Norvir

NORVIR SIDE EFFECTS:
The most common side effects are weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, altered taste, stomach pain and numbness or tingling of mouth, hands or feet. Less common side effects include blurred vision, dizziness, headache, loss of coordination, muscle or joint pain and drowsiness. Inform your doctor if these should persist or worsen. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience: chills, rash, rapid heart rate, increased urination, unusual thirst, unusual bleeding or bruising (blood in the urine or stool), severe stomach pain, shortness of breath. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE NORVIR:
NORVIR: NORVIR is taken twice daily by mouth, with meals if possible. A common side effect of nausea may be decreased by increasing the dose of ritonavir gradually over 5 days. In patients beginning combination therapy with other HIV medications, nausea can be decreased by starting the second medication between 5 and 14 days after therapy with ritonavir has begun. Do not increase or decrease your dose unless told to do so by your physician. It is critical to take NORVIR every day exactly as prescribed. Do not interrupt treatment unless directed to do so by your doctor.

NORVIR WARNING:
Use of ritonavir with certain nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., astemizole, terfenadine); sedatives and tranquilizers (e.g., midazolam, triazolam); heart medications (antiarrhythmics such as bepridil, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine); or ergot- containing drugs may cause severe, even fatal, side effects. Tell your doctor if you use any of these types of medications before using ritonavir.

NORVIR USES:
NORVIR belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors and is used, either alone or in combination with other drugs, to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

NORVIR PRECAUTIONS:
Before taking NORVIR tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney disease, diabetes, blood disorders, allergies (especially drug allergies). Tobacco smoking may decrease the effects of NORVIR. NORVIR should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if NORVIR appears in breast milk. Because breast milk can trasmit HIV, do not breast-feed.

NORVIR DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Before you take NORVIR, tell your doctor of all the drugs you take including prescription and nonprescription medications especially of: amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, bupropion, cisapride, clozapine, encainide, flecainide, meperidine, piroxicam, propafenone, propoxyphene, quinidine, rifabutin, terfenadine, zolpidem, benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), clarithromycin, rifampin, drugs that can harm the kidneys (e.g., gentamicin, amphotericin), propofol, St John's wort, other protease inhibitors (e.g., saquinavir). Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs: birth control pills, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, dronabinol, lansoprazole, losartan, omeprazole, ondansetron, prednisone, quinine, tacrolimus, theophylline, warfarin, anti- cancer drugs, cholesterol-reducing drugs, antidepressants, oral drugs used for diabetes, anti-seizure drugs, heart medication, high blood pressure drugs (calcium channel and beta-blockers), drugs used to treat schizophrenia, pain medication (narcotic analgesics and NSAIDS). NORVIR may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

NORVIR OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include change in amount of urine; or numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet.

NORVIR NOTES:
NORVIR does not cure HIV. Patients treated with ritonavir may continue to acquire "opportunistic" infections associated with HIV. NORVIR also does not prevent transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood.

MISSED NORVIR DOSE:
If you should miss a dose, take as soon as possible unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is near time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

NORVIR STORAGE:
Refrigeration between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 C) is recommended; however, the capsules may be kept at a room temperature not to exceed 77 degrees F (25 C) for up to 30 days. Do not expose the medication to heat or sunlight. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.