Lopinavir and ritonavir are antiviral medications that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body

The combination of lopinavir and ritonavir is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Lopinavir and ritonavir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

There are many other drugs that can cause serious or life threatening medical problems if you take them together with lopinavir and ritonavir. The following drugs should not be used while you are taking this medication: alfuzosin (Uroxatrol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor) or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), St. John's wort, pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion), rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), sildenafil (Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension), or an ergot medicine such as D.H.E. 45, Ergomar, Cafergot, Ergotrate, Methergine, Migergot, or Migranal.

Many other medicines can interact with lopinavir and ritonavir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it.

There are many other drugs that can cause serious or life threatening medical problems if you take them together with lopinavir and ritonavir. The following drugs should not be used while you are taking this medication: alfuzosin (Uroxatrol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor) or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), St. John's wort, pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion), rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), sildenafil (Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension), or an ergot medicine such as D.H.E. 45, Ergomar, Cafergot, Ergotrate, Methergine, Migergot, or Migranal.

To make sure you can safely take lopinavir and ritonavir, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C);

• heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder;

• a personal or family history of "Long QT Syndrome";

• pancreas problems;

• diabetes;

• low levels of potassium in your blood;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood; or

• if you have ever used a protease inhibitor in the past.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether lopinavir and ritonavir will harm an unborn baby. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

Lopinavir and ritonavir can make birth control pills or patches less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking lopinavir and ritonavir.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 14 days old without medical advice. Premature infants should not receive lopinavir and ritonavir until it has been 14 days after their original due date.