Generic name: Ritonavir Tablets [ ri-TOE-na-veer ]
Brand name: Norvir
Drug classes: Antiviral boosters, Protease inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 10, 2024.

Uses of Ritonavir Tablets:

• It is used to treat HIV infection.
• This medicine is taken with other drugs. Be sure you know about the warnings, benefits, and risks of these other drugs. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about any of the drugs.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Ritonavir Tablets?

• If you are allergic to this medicine (ritonavir tablets); any part of this medicine (ritonavir tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this medicine (ritonavir tablets).

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (ritonavir tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (ritonavir tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Ritonavir Tablets?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (ritonavir tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• High blood sugar has happened with this medicine (ritonavir tablets). This includes diabetes that is new or worse.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• This medicine may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
• Some people with hemophilia have had times of more bleeding when taking drugs like this one. If you have hemophilia, talk with your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine is not a cure for HIV. Stay under the care of your doctor.
• This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors.
• Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking drugs to treat HIV. If you have an infection that you did not know you had, it may show up when you take this medicine (ritonavir tablets). Tell your doctor right away if you have any new signs after you start this medicine (ritonavir tablets), even after taking it for several months. This includes signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath.
• If giving this medicine (ritonavir tablets) to your child and your child's weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this medicine (ritonavir tablets) may need to be changed.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking this medicine (ritonavir tablets).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine (ritonavir tablets) while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Ritonavir Tablets) best taken?

Use this medicine (ritonavir tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with meals.
• Keep taking this medicine (ritonavir tablets) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of this medicine (ritonavir tablets) during treatment.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Severe or long-lasting diarrhea. This may lead to fluid and electrolyte problems.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Flushing.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Sweating a lot.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Swelling.
• Blurred eyesight.
• Change in body fat.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with this medicine (ritonavir tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this medicine (ritonavir tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very upset stomach or throwing up.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Ritonavir Tablets?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Heartburn.
• Gas.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Change in taste.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Numbness or tingling around the mouth.
• Back, muscle, or joint pain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Ritonavir Tablets?

• Store tablets in the original container at room temperature. Keep the cap tightly closed. Throw away when the date on bottle has been reached. If stored outside of the original container, throw away any part not used after 2 weeks.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Protect from heat.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine (ritonavir tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer