Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), sold under the brand name Kaletra among others, is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. It combines lopinavir with a low dose of ritonavir. It is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals. It may be used for prevention after a needlestick injury or other potential exposure. It is taken by mouth as a tablet, capsule, or solution.Common side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, feeling tired, headaches, and muscle pains. Severe side effects may include pancreatitis, liver problems, and high blood sugar. It is commonly used in pregnancy and it appears to be safe. Both medications are HIV protease inhibitors. Ritonavir functions by slowing down the breakdown of lopinavir.Lopinavir/ritonavir as a single medication was approved for use in the United States in 2000. It is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines. Medical uses
Lopinavir/ritonavir was once a preferred combination for HIV first-line therapy in the United States. But due its higher pill burden compared to than other protease inhibitor-based regimens and increased gastrointestinal intolerance, it is no longer recommended to treatment-naive patients. Adverse effects
The most common adverse effects observed with lopinavir/ritonavir are diarrhea and nausea. In key clinical trials, moderate or severe diarrhea occurred in up to 27% of patients, and moderate/severe nausea in up to 16%.
Society and culture
Cost
As a result of high prices and the spread of HIV infection, the government of Thailand issued a compulsory license on 29 January 2007, to produce and/or import generic versions of lopinavir and ritonavir. In response, Abbott Laboratories withdrew its registration for lopinavir and seven of their other new drugs in Thailand, citing the Thai governments lack of respect for patents. Abbotts attitude has been denounced by several NGOs worldwide, including a netstrike initiated by Act Up-Paris and a public call to boycott all of Abbotts medicines by the French NGO AIDES. Available forms
Heat-stable pellets that can be taken by mouth have been developed for children. Research
While data for SARS-CoV-1 looked promising, the benefit in COVID-19 is unclear as of 23 March 2020. In 2020, a non-blinded, randomized trial found lopinavir/ritonavir was not useful to treat severe COVID-19. In this trial the medication was started typically around 13 days after the start of symptoms. References
External links
"Lopinavir mixture with ritonavir". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. "Fact sheet on lopinavir and ritonavir (Lpv/R) oral pellets". World Health Organization (WHO). Archived from the original on 21 November 2015.