WHAT IS Norvir/Ritonavir CAPSULES?

Norvir/RITONAVIR is an antiretroviral drug. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Norvir/Ritonavir?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• increased urination
• weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs
• increased hunger or thirst
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• decreased appetite
• unusually weak or tired
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or around the mouth

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Norvir/Ritonavir?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• hemophilia
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• liver disease
• breast-feeding
• diabetes
• an unusual or allergic reaction to Norvir/ritonavir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Norvir/Ritonavir?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. Women who can still have children must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, like a condom or diaphragm.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Norvir/Ritonavir?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). You may store this medicine at room temperature, below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) if you use it all within 30 days. Protect from light and high heat. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Keep out of the reach of children.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Norvir/Ritonavir?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• medicines for headaches like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, Cafergot/ergotamine, methylergonovine
• St. John's wort
• cisapride
• ranolazine
• red yeast rice
• voriconazole
• Mevacor/lovastatin
• Uroxatral/alfuzosin
• midazolam
• pimozide
• Zocor/simvastatin
• conivaptan
• triazolam
• medicines for irregular heart beat like Cordarone/amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine
• rifapentine
• eplerenone
• meperidine

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• Sporanox/itraconazole
• Nizoral/ketoconazole
• dronabinol
• Biaxin/clarithromycin
• medicines for erectile dysfunction
• Neoral/cyclosporine
• Prograf/tacrolimus
• steroid medicines like Dexone/dexamethasone, fluticasone, Deltasone/prednisone
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for cholesterol like Lipitor/atorvastatin
• birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
• rifampin
• medicines for sleep
• Coumadin/warfarin
• propoxyphene
• Ultram/tramadol
• rifabutin
• methamphetamine
• sirolimus
• atovaquone
• medicines for seizures
• medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
• Uniphyl sr/theophylline
• other medicines for HIV

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

HOW SHOULD I USE Norvir/Ritonavir?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.