Safely Buy Kaletra ( Lopinavir/Ritonavir ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Kaletra is an antiretroviral medication used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and pediatric patients. It contains a combination of two drugs, lopinavir, and ritonavir, and is usually taken in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Kaletra is an HIV-1 protease inhibitor used to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and improve the immune system.

Use and Dosage

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking lopinavir/ritonavir each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

For children, the dosage is also based on age, weight, and height. Once-daily dosing of this medication is not recommended for children younger than 18 years of age.

If you are taking didanosine in addition to this product, you can take it at the same time as this product but take them both without food.

It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses.

For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.

Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Kaletra: (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• Fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out)
• Signs of a kidney stone – pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine, or painful or difficult urination
• High blood sugar – increased thirst, increased urination, fruity breath odor, or weight loss
• Signs of liver or pancreas problems – loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Kaletra affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you have taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• Signs of a new infection – fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, or weight loss
• Trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness, or prickly feeling
• Swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, or impotence

Kaletra liquid contains alcohol and propylene glycol, which may cause drowsiness or slow breathing in a baby taking this medicine.

Kaletra can cause changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Common Kaletra side effects may include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• High cholesterol or triglycerides

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either lopinavir or ritonavir; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, high blood fat levels (cholesterol/triglycerides), heart problems (coronary artery disease, heart attack), bleeding problems (such as hemophilia), previous infection with certain diseases (such as hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, tuberculosis).

Lopinavir/ritonavir may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, and fainting) that need medical attention right away.

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/”water pills”) or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using lopinavir/ritonavir safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breastfeed.

Form and Strengths

Kaletra is available in the following form and strengths:

• Kaletra Film Coated Tablet:
  • 200/50 mg
• Lopinavir/Ritonavir Tablet:
  • 200/50 mg

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose.

Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention. An overdose of Kaletra oral liquid could be fatal to a child.

What to avoid?

If you take Kaletra liquid and you also take didanosine (Videx), take the didanosine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take the liquid medicine.

Kaletra liquid contains alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine.

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

Resources:

1. https://www.drugs.com/kaletra.html#side-effects
2. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-19939-542/kaletra-oral/lopinavir-ritonavir-oral/details
3. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/021251s052_021906s046lbl.pdf