| Norvir is used, alone or in combination with other medicines, in the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Norvir will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. Ritonavir will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. |
| What is the recommended dosage for norvir? |
ADULTS
The recommended dose of Norvir is 600 milligrams twice a day with food.
Your doctor may suggest taking Norvir alone at first and adding a second drug later in the first 2 weeks of therapy. This approach may cause fewer stomach problems.
If you are taking Norvir along with saquinavir, the dosage of both drugs may be reduced to 400 milligrams twice daily.
CHILDREN AGE 2 TO 16 YEARS
The dosage of Norvir in children is based on the child's size, and should not exceed 600 milligrams twice a day. Use of a special spoon or dosing syringe with measurements on it will help ensure that the child receives the proper dose.
Overdosage
Symptoms of Norvir overdose may include:
Numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation, particularly in the arms and legs because Norvir oral solution is 43 percent alcohol, severe alcohol toxicity can follow its ingestion by a young child. |
| What are the possible side effects of NORVIR? |
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This list of side effects is not complete. If you have questions about side effects, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. You should report any new or continuing symptoms to your doctor right away. Your doctor may be able to help you manage these side effects. |
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The most commonly reported side effects are: feeling weak/tired, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, changes in taste, tingling feeling or numbness in hands or feet or around the lips, headache, and dizziness. |
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Blood tests in patients taking NORVIR may show possible liver problems. People with liver disease such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C who take NORVIR may have worsening liver disease. Liver problems including rare cases of death have occurred in patients taking NORVIR. It is unclear if NORVIR caused these liver problems because some patients had other illnesses or were taking other medicines. |
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Some patients taking NORVIR can develop serious problems with their pancreas (pancreatitis) which may cause death. Tell your doctor if you have nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. These may be signs of pancreatitis. |
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Some patients have large increases in triglycerides and cholesterol. The long-term chance of getting complications such as heart attacks or stroke due to increases in triglycerides and cholesterol caused by protease inhibitors is not known at this time. |
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Diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) have occurred in patients taking protease inhibitors. Some patients had diabetes before starting protease inhibitors, others did not. Some patients need changes in their diabetes medication. Others needed new diabetes medication. |
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Changes in body fat have been seen in some patients taking antiretroviral therapy. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The cause and long term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time. |
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Some patients with hemophilia have increased bleeding with protease inhibitors. |
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Allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe have occurred in patients taking NORVIR. |
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| There have been other side effects noted in patients receiving NORVIR; however, have been due to other medicines that patients were taking or to the illness effects can be serious. If you have questions about side effects, ask your doctor, should report any new or persistent symptoms to your doctor immediately. |
| What are the warnings related to norvir? |
Norvir has been studied for only a limited period of time. Its long-term effects are still unknown.
Norvir is not a cure for AIDS or HIV infection. You may continue to experience symptoms and develop complications, including opportunistic infections (rare diseases that attack when the immune system falters, such as certain types of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and fungal infections).
Norvir does not reduce the danger of transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Therefore, you should continue to avoid practices that could give HIV to others.
If you have liver disease, take this medication with caution; it has caused liver damage in some patients. It has also been known to trigger or aggravate cases of diabetes. It may increase your cholesterol levels. And it can also cause a serious problem called pancreatitis. If you develop warning signs such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, be sure to tell your doctor. You may have to stop taking the drug.
Some patients undergo an accumulation or redistribution of body fat while taking Norvir. It's not known whether this has any ill-effects on health over the long term. |
| What are the precautions of norvir? |
| Before taking this drug tell your doctor of previous illnesses, especially: liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, blood disorders. Tobacco smoking may decrease the effects of this drug. Ritonavir solution contains alcohol. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed |
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