Generic Kaletra – Prescription Medication to Treat AIDS

Working

When HIV infects a cell, it takes control of that cell. HIV then forces the cell to make many more copies of the virus. To make these copies, the cell uses proteins called enzymes. When the activity of these enzymes is reduced the production of HIV slows.

Generic Kaletra contains two drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir, both of which belong to a group of drugs called protease inhibitors. These drugs affect an enzyme called protease, which is used by HIV-infected cells to make new viruses. Since lopinavir reduces or inhibits the activity of this protease enzyme (hence the name “protease inhibitor”), this drug causes HIV-infected cells to produce fewer viruses.

The purpose of the small amount of ritonavir inside Generic Kaletra is to boost levels of lopinavir in the blood. Ritonavir also helps keep lopinavir levels high for many hours. This is why Generic Kaletra can be taken once or twice daily.

Dosage

Generic Kaletra comes in the following forms and strengths:

• Tablets containing 100 mg lopinavir and 25 mg ritonavir
• Tablets containing 200 mg lopinavir and 50 mg ritonavir
• Oral solution containing 80 mg/mL lopinavir and 20 mg/mL ritonavir
• Take Generic Kaletra according to your health care provider's instructions.

If you are giving Generic Kaletra to your child, follow your health care provider's instructions. Generic Kaletra dosing for children is based on weight, so tell your health care provider if your child's weight changes.

Generic Kaletra tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets.

Precautions

Your doctor will want to take regular tests in order to monitor your liver function. Visit your doctor regularly and do not miss any scheduled appointments. You may also need to give blood tests regularly.

Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a liver disease, heart rhythm disorder, heart disease, pancreas problem, long QT syndrome, diabetes, bleeding disorder or hypokalemia.

Side Effects

Generic Kaletra may cause side effects. Some side effects of Generic Kaletra can be serious as noted above. Many side effects from HIV medicines, such as nausea or occasional dizziness, are manageable. See the HIVinfo fact sheet on HIV Medicines and Side Effects for more information.

• Other possible side effects of Generic Kaletra include:
• Diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
• Increases in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Increased bleeding in people with hemophilia.
• Changes in body fat (lipodystrophy syndrome).
• Changes in your immune system (called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome or IRIS). IRIS is a condition that sometimes occurs when the immune system begins to recover after treatment with an HIV medicine. As the immune system gets stronger, it may have an increased response to a previously hidden infection.
• Kidney stones