by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

Created on: October 08, 2010

What is ‘Norvir’?

Norvir is a branded medication used to treat patients with HIV virus infection and will prevent the HIV from multiplying and thus leading to AIDS. The drug would contain the generic medication ‘ritonavir’ and would fall into the category called, ‘protease inhibitors’. With regular use, it has shown to be effective in managing patients with HIV infection although it is not a cure for HIV or for AIDS. In order to make the drug effective, one should follow the doctor’s advice and recommendations along with being vigilant about the possibility of its side effects.

What are the things to be cautioned when using Norvir?

Ritonavir will have the ability to give rise to allergic reactions as with many other drugs and it should not be used in case the users are allergic to Norvir or similar medications. Furthermore, Norvir is known to cause life threatening events after interacting with certain medications and it should not be therefore used in concurrence with medications such as alfuzosin, amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, cisapride, flecainide, midazolam, triazolam, pimozide, propafenone, quinidine, terfenadine, voriconazole, ergot medicines such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine. At the same time, one should not engage in taking newer drugs without the approval of their doctor due to the same reason.

Apart from what was mentioned before, one should inform the doctor the presence of diabetes, liver disease, bleeding disorders and high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood as it would require dose and frequency adjustment to prevent possible side effects and to improve the effectiveness of the drug.

What are the possible side effects of Ritonavir?

Among the most complained side effects related to Ritonavir (Norvir), mild nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, headaches and tingling sensation around the mouth, mood changes, diarrhea and alteration of body fat distribution…etc should be highlighted. But, these would not be so serious as to stop the medication and can be avoided to a great extent when precautionary measures are followed. In most instances, these would occur as transient manifestations and will disappear later on.

When considering the serious side effects, allergic reactions cannot be forgotten although its occurrence is relatively rare. But, detection of hives, itching of the skin, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and the face, breathing difficulties…etc should ring a bell and immediate medical attention should be given in such instances.

Apart from allergic reactions, other potentially serious side effects which would require informing the doctor immediately would include, sings of worsening infections and severe skin reactions including peeling and blistering of the skin, easy bruising and bleeding, severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, and yellowing of the skin and the sclera of the eye, increase in the urine output, increased thirst…etc.

Finally, it should be mentioned that, in order to gain a more detailed and complete list of side effects in relation to Norvir, one needs to refer the manufacturer literature as this article only covers the most pertinent aspects of this drug.

Learn more about this author, Dr Pandula Siribaddana.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.