General Information on Norvir
Norvir is used for treating infections that occur due to HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. HIV causes AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The generic name of this drug is Ritonavir. It comes under a class of drugs referred as protease inhibitors.
Norvir works by preventing virus cells from multiplying within patient’s body. However, this drug does not cure HIV or AIDS.
Norvir is meant for oral administration only. You can buy Norvir in form of oral tablets, available in strength, Norvir 100mg, or oral solution, available in strength, Norvir 80mg/ml.
The inactive ingredients present in oral tablets are: anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, sodium stearyl fumarate, and colloidal silicon dioxide. The inactive ingredients present in oral solution are: saccharin sodium, ethanol, peppermint oil, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, creamy caramel flavoring, water, propylene glycol, and anhydrous citric acid (for pH adjustment).
Side effects of Norvir
You should not buy Norvir if you are hypersensitive to any ingredient present in it. Your doctor may monitor you more closely or adjust the dosage if you have certain medical conditions such as a bleeding disorder, diabetes, heart rhythm disorder, and heart disease, high levels of triglycerides or cholesterol, or liver disease. To ensure the treatment is safe for you, inform your doctor about your medical history before commencing treatment.
The following are the less serious side effects that Norvir may cause: mood changes, stomach ache, mild nausea, headache, or vomitting. If any of these side effects are severe, you should consult your physician.
Some of the serious side effects of Norvir are: easy bruising, easy or unusual bleeding, uneven heart rate, signs of liver damage (such as loss of appetite, nausea, low fever, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin, or dark-colored stools), increased thirst, increased urination, or fast heart rate. You should inform your doctor if you experience any of the above-mentioned side effects during treatment.
Dosage of Norvir
Your doctor may start with a lower dosage and then gradually increase your dosage. The minimum starting dosage in adult patients is 300 mg twice per day. The recommended maintenance dosage in adult patients is 600 mg twice per day. The recommended dosage range in pediatric patients over 1 month is 350 mg to 400 mg per m².
Interactions
Serious, potentially fatal, side effects may develop if you use Novir in combination with any of the following: amiodarone, alfuzosin, flecainide, triazolam, bepridil, voriconazole, propafenone, midazolam, cisapride, pimozide, ergot drugs (such as Methergine, Ergomar, Wigraine, Migranal, or D.H.E. 45), or St. John’s Wort.
Other drugs that may interact with Novir are: certain antibiotics (such as Rifadin, Rifamate, Mycobutin, and others), antidepressants (such as Vanatrip, Norpramin, Paxil, and others), certain antifungal drugs (such as Sporanox or Nizoral), anti-psychotic drugs, steroids (such as Flonase, Dexasone, Advair, and others), blood pressure or heart medications (such as Toprol, Procardia, Isoptin, and others), pain medications (such as Darvon, Demerol, Ultracet, and others), or anti-seizure drugs (such as Klonopin, Tegretol, Zarontin, and others).
This is not a complete list of drugs that may interact with Novir. If you have been prescribed Novir, before starting treatment you should inform your doctor about all other medicines that you are taking.
