Generic Kaletra – Medicine to Treat HIV or AIDS

Working

Ritonavir boosts the lopinavir levels, helping lopinavir to work better at controlling HIV infection. The HIV virus proliferates within the body’s cells, spreading the infection from one cell to another. During this process, the virus makes new proteins, some of which are structural proteins and some enzymes, such as protease. Lopinavir blocks the activity of protease, controlling the infection and reducing the number of viruses in the body. Remember, Generic Kaletra does not prevent HIV transmission and it does not cure HIV/AIDS.

Dose

• Generic Kaletra is available in a tablet form, which should be taken orally, with or without food.
• For appropriate dosage and directions, please check with your doctor because the dosing regimen depends on your age, previous exposures to lopinavir, and other medications.
• For adult patients, doctors may prescribe two tablets of Generic Kaletra (200/50) twice a day.
• For pediatric dosage, please check with your doctor because the dosage depends on the age, weight, and height.
• It is essential to continue taking Generic Kaletra (and other HIV drugs) exactly as recommended by your doctor. Do not miss or skip any of your doses.
• To get the desired effects, make sure you take the medications at the same time each day.
• Do not take lesser or larger quantities of this drug than advised. Do not stop taking it even for a shorter duration unless advised to do so by your prescribing doctor.

Side Effects

• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Flatulence
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping

If any of these side effects persist or aggravate, immediately see your doctor.

Precautions

• Before taking Generic Kaletra tablets, tell your doctor if you have a history of drug allergy, including lopinavir or ritonavir because this medicine may contain certain inactive drugs that may cause allergic reactions.
• Inform your doctor about your medical history apart from HIV, such as liver or kidney disease, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cardiac problems, bleeding problems, pancreatitis, or any infectious disease, such as hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis.
• More importantly, before treatment, tell your doctor about the medications, herbal supplements, or any other products you have been taking because Generic Kaletra may adversely interact with certain drugs.
• If you have been taking this HIV/AIDS medication and are supposed to undergo any surgical procedure, inform your doctor before the surgery.

Warnings

• Generic Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) may cause a cardiac condition affecting the heart rhythm, causing symptoms such as fast/irregular heartbeats, palpitations, severe dizziness, or syncope that need immediate medical attention.
• Older individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of this HIV drug, especially arrhythmia.
• If you overdose with this HIV medication and experience breathlessness or dizziness, immediately seek medical help.
• Inform your doctor if you get pregnant while using Generic Kaletra. The drug may lower the risk of passing the infection to the baby. So, discuss with your doctor.
• It is unclear whether this medication passes into breast milk. Check with your doctor because breast milk can transmit HIV infection to a newborn.

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