What is "ritonavir"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) An anti-retroviral drug of the protease inhibitor class that is used in to treat HIV infected patients.

n. a protease inhibitor (trade name Norvir) used in treating HIV [syn: Norvir]

Ritonavir, sold under the trade name Norvir, is an antiretroviral medication used along with other medications to treat HIV/AIDS This combination treatment is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Often a low dose is used with other protease inhibitors. It may also be used in combination with other medications for hepatitis C. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and numbness of the hands and feet. Serious side effects include liver problems, pancreatitis, allergic reactions, and arrythmias. Serious interactions may occur with a number of other medications including amiodarone and simvastatin. At low doses it is considered to be okay during pregnancy. Ritonavir is of the protease inhibitor class. It is often used to inhibit the enzyme that metabolizes other protease inhibitors. This inhibition leads to higher concentrations of these latter medication.

Ritonavir first came into use in 1996. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system. The capsules of the medication do not work the same as the tablets. Globally the wholesale cost in the developing world is between 0.07 and 2.20 USD per day. In the United States it costs about 9.20 to 55 USD per day depending on the dose.