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NORVIR
(ritonavir) Tablets, Oral Solution, and Oral Powder
WARNING
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND/OR LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS
Co-administration of NORVIR with several classes of drugs including sedative hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid preparations may result in potentially serious and/or life-threatening adverse events due to possible effects of NORVIR on the hepatic metabolism of certain drugs. Review medications taken by patients prior to prescribing NORVIR or when prescribing other medications to patients already taking NORVIR [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
NORVIR (ritonavir) is an inhibitor of HIV protease with activity against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Ritonavir is chemically designated as 10-Hydroxy-2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-1- [2-(1-methylethyl)-4-thiazolyl]-3,6-dioxo-8,11-bis(phenylmethyl)-2,4,7,12- tetraazatridecan-13-oic acid, 5-thiazolylmethyl ester, [5S-(5R*,8R*,10R*,11R*)]. Its molecular formula is C37H48N6O5S2, and its molecular weight is 720.95. Ritonavir has the following structural formula:
 |
Ritonavir is a white-to-light-tan powder. Ritonavir has a bitter metallic taste. It is freely soluble in methanol and ethanol, soluble in isopropanol and practically insoluble in water.
NORVIR tablets are available for oral administration in a strength of 100 mg ritonavir with the following inactive ingredients: copovidone, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, sorbitan monolaurate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium stearyl fumarate. The following are the ingredients in the film coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, polyethylene glycol 3350, colloidal silicon dioxide, and polysorbate 80.
NORVIR oral solution is available for oral administration as 80 mg per mL of ritonavir in a peppermint and caramel flavored vehicle. Each 8-ounce bottle contains 19.2 grams of ritonavir. NORVIR oral solution also contains ethanol, water, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, propylene glycol, anhydrous citric acid to adjust pH, saccharin sodium, peppermint oil, creamy caramel flavoring, and FD&C Yellow No. 6. NORVIR oral solution contains approximately 43% (v/v) ethanol and approximately 27% (w/v) propylene glycol.
NORVIR oral powder is beige/pale yellow to yellow and is available for oral administration as a packet containing 100 mg of ritonavir with the following inactive ingredients: copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, and colloidal silicon dioxide.
NORVIR tablets and oral solution are indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
NORVIR oral powder is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of pediatric patients with HIV-1 infection.
Patients who take the 600 mg twice daily soft gel capsule NORVIR dose may experience more gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea when switching from the soft gel capsule to the tablet formulation because of greater maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) achieved with the tablet formulation relative to the soft gel capsule [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Patients should also be aware that these adverse events (gastrointestinal or paresthesias) may diminish as therapy is continued.
Because NORVIR oral solution contains ethanol and propylene glycol, it is not recommended for use with polyurethane feeding tubes due to potential incompatibility. Feeding tubes that are compatible with ethanol and propylene glycol, such as silicone and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) feeding tubes, can be used for administration of NORVIR oral solution. Follow instructions for use of the feeding tube to administer the medicine.
The recommended dosage of NORVIR is 600 mg twice daily by mouth to be taken with meals. Use of a dose titration schedule may help to reduce treatment-emergent adverse events while maintaining appropriate ritonavir plasma levels. NORVIR should be started at no less than 300 mg twice daily and increased at 2 to 3 day intervals by 100 mg twice daily. The maximum dose of 600 mg twice daily should not be exceeded upon completion of the titration [see Dose Modification Due To Drug Interaction].
NORVIR oral solution is not recommended during pregnancy due to its ethanol content. NORVIR oral solution contains the excipients ethanol (approx. 43% v/v) and propylene glycol (approx. 27% w/v) [see Use In Specific Populations].
NORVIR must be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. The recommended dosage of NORVIR in pediatric patients older than 1 month is 350 to 400 mg per m2 twice daily by mouth to be taken with meals and should not exceed 600 mg twice daily. NORVIR should be started at 250 mg per m2 twice daily and increased at 2 to 3 day intervals by 50 mg per m2 twice daily. If patients do not tolerate 400 mg per m2 twice daily due to adverse events, the highest tolerated dose may be used for maintenance therapy in combination with other antiretroviral agents, however, alternative therapy should be considered [see Dose Modification Due To Drug Interaction].
NORVIR oral solution should not be administered to neonates before a postmenstrual age (first day of the mother’s last menstrual period to birth plus the time elapsed after birth) of 44 weeks has been attained [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
NORVIR oral solution contains the excipients ethanol (approx. 43% v/v) and propylene glycol (approx. 27% w/v). Special attention should be given to accurate calculation of the dose of NORVIR, transcription of the medication order, dispensing information and dosing instructions to minimize the risk for medication errors, and overdose. This is especially important for young children. Total amounts of ethanol and propylene glycol from all medicines that are to be given to pediatric patients 1 to 6 months of age should be taken into account in order to avoid toxicity from these excipients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and OVERDOSE]. When possible, dose should be administered using a calibrated dosing syringe.
Table 1. Pediatric Dosage Guidelines for Oral Solution*
| Body Surface Area (m2) |
Twice Daily Dose 250 mg per m2 |
Twice Daily Dose 300 mg per m2 |
Twice Daily Dose 350 mg per m2 |
Twice Daily Dose 400 mg per m2 |
| 0.20 | 0.6 mL (50 mg) |
0.75 mL (60 mg) |
0.9 mL (70 mg) |
1.0 mL (80 mg) |
| 0.25 | 0.8 mL (62.5 mg) |
0.9 mL (75 mg) |
1.1 mL (87.5 mg) |
1.25 mL (100 mg) |
| 0.50 | 1.6 mL (125 mg) |
1.9 mL (150 mg) |
2.2 mL (175 mg) |
2.5 mL (200 mg) |
| 0.75 | 2.3 mL (187.5 mg) |
2.8 mL (225 mg) |
3.3 mL (262.5 mg) |
3.75 mL (300 mg) |
| 1.00 | 3.1 mL (250 mg) |
3.75 mL (300 mg) |
4.4 mL (350 mg) |
5 mL (400 mg) |
| 1.25 | 3.9 mL (312.5 mg) |
4.7 mL (375 mg) |
5.5 mL (437.5 mg) |
6.25 mL (500 mg) |
| 1.50 | 4.7 mL (375 mg) |
5.6 mL (450 mg) |
6.6 mL (525 mg) |
7.5 mL (600 mg) |
| *The concentration of the oral solution is 80 mg per mL. | ||||
Body surface area (BSA) can be calculated as follows1:
 |
NORVIR oral powder should be used only for dosing increments of 100 mg. NORVIR powder should not be used for doses less than 100 mg or for incremental doses between 100 mg intervals. NORVIR oral solution is the preferred formulation for patients requiring doses less than 100 mg or incremental doses between 100 mg intervals.
For details on the preparation and administration of NORVIR oral powder (see Instructions for Use). NORVIR oral powder should only be used for dosing increments of 100 mg.
Prepare the dose using the required number of packets. For example, use one packet for doses of 100 mg and two packets for doses of 200 mg. Pour and mix the entire contents of each packet over soft food or liquid. All of the powder mixed with soft food or liquid should be administered within 2 hours of preparation. If not administered within 2 hours of preparation, the mixture should be discarded and a new dose prepared.
The prescribed dose of NORVIR oral powder can be administered via a feeding tube after being mixed with water (see Instructions for Use). Follow the instructions for the feeding tube to administer the medicine.
Dose reduction of NORVIR is necessary when used with other protease inhibitors: atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir.
Prescribers should consult the full prescribing information and clinical study information of these protease inhibitors if they are co-administered with a reduced dose of ritonavir [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and DRUG INTERACTIONS].
White film-coated ovaloid tablets debossed with the "a" logo and the code NK providing 100 mg ritonavir.
Orange-colored liquid containing 600 mg ritonavir per 7.5 mL marked dosage cup (80 mg per mL).
Beige/pale yellow to yellow powder in child-resistant packet. Each packet contains 100 mg of ritonavir.
The package sizes, strengths, and storage and handling recommendations for NORVIR (ritonavir) tablets, oral solution and oral powder are shown in the table below.
| NORVIR Tablets, 100 mg Ritonavir | NORVIR Oral Solution, 80 mg per mL Ritonavir | NORVIR Oral Powder, 100 mg Packet | |
| Presentation | White film-coated ovaloid tablets debossed with the "a" logo and the code NK | orange-colored liquid, in amber-colored, multi-dose bottles containing 600 mg ritonavir per 7.5 mL marked dosage cup | beige/pale yellow to yellow powder, in packets containing 100 mg of ritonavir |
| Packaging Size | Bottles containing 30 tablets | 240 mL bottles | 30 foil/laminate, child-resistant packets per carton |
| NDC Number | 0074-3333-30 | 0074-1940-63 | 0074-3399-30 |
| Recommended Storage | Store at or below 30°C (86°F). Exposure to temperatures up to 50°C (122°F) for seven days permitted. Dispense in original container or USP equivalent tight container (60 mL or less). | Store at room temperature 20°-25°C (68°-77°F). Do not refrigerate. Shake well before each use. | Store at or below 30°C (86°F). |
| Product should be stored and dispensed in the original container. | |||
| For patient use: exposure of this product to high humidity outside the original or USP equivalent tight container (60 mL or less) for longer than 2 weeks is not recommended. | Avoid exposure to excessive heat. Keep cap tightly closed. |
REFERENCES
1. Sewester CS. Calculations. In: Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: J.B. Lippincott Co; January, 1997:xix.
Manufactured by: NORVIR Oral Powder is manufactured for: AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL 60064 USA. Revised: Aug 2019
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling.
When co-administering NORVIR with other protease inhibitors, see the full prescribing information for that protease inhibitor including adverse reactions.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of NORVIR alone and in combination with other antiretroviral agents was studied in 1,755 adult patients. Table 2 lists treatment-emergent Adverse Reactions (with possible or probable relationship to study drug) occurring in greater than or equal to 1% of adult patients receiving NORVIR in combined Phase II/IV studies.
The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions among patients receiving NORVIR alone or in combination with other antiretroviral drugs were gastrointestinal (including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain (upper and lower)), neurological disturbances (including paresthesia and oral paresthesia), rash, and fatigue/asthenia.
Table 2. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions (With Possible or Probable Relationship to Study Drug) Occurring in greater than or equal to 1% of Adult Patients Receiving NORVIR in Combined Phase II/IV Studies (N = 1,755)
| Adverse Reactions | n | % |
| Eye disorders | ||
| Blurred vision | 113 | 6.4 |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | ||
| Abdominal Pain (upper and lower)* | 464 | 26.4 |
| Diarrhea including severe with electrolyte imbalance* | 1,192 | 67.9 |
| Dyspepsia | 201 | 11.5 |
| Flatulence | 142 | 8.1 |
| Gastrointestinal hemorrhage* | 41 | 2.3 |
| Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | 19 | 1.1 |
| Nausea | 1,007 | 57.4 |
| Vomiting* | 559 | 31.9 |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | ||
| Fatigue including asthenia* | 811 | 46.2 |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | ||
| Blood bilirubin increased (including jaundice)* | 25 | 1.4 |
| Hepatitis (including increased AST, ALT, GGT)* | 153 | 8.7 |
| Immune system disorders | ||
| Hypersensitivity including urticaria and face edema* | 114 | 8.2 |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | ||
| Edema and peripheral edema* | 110 | 6.3 |
| Gout* | 24 | 1.4 |
| Hypercholesterolemia* | 52 | 3.0 |
| Hypertriglyceridemia* | 158 | 9.0 |
| Lipodystrophy acquired* | 51 | 2.9 |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | ||
| Arthralgia and back pain* | 326 | 18.6 |
| Myopathy/creatine phosphokinase increased* | 66 | 3.8 |
| Myalgia | 156 | 8.9 |
| Nervous system disorders | ||
| Dizziness* | 274 | 15.6 |
| Dysgeusia* | 285 | 16.2 |
| Paresthesia (including oral paresthesia)* | 889 | 50.7 |
| Peripheral neuropathy | 178 | 10.1 |
| Syncope* | 58 | 3.3 |
| Psychiatric disorders | ||
| Confusion* | 52 | 3.0 |
| Disturbance in attention | 44 | 2.5 |
| Renal and urinary disorders | ||
| Increased urination* | 74 | 4.2 |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | ||
| Coughing* | 380 | 21.7 |
| Oropharyngeal Pain* | 279 | 15.9 |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | ||
| Acne* | 67 | 3.8 |
| Pruritus* | 214 | 12.2 |
| Rash (includes erythematous and maculopapular)* | 475 | 27.1 |
| Vascular disorders | ||
| Flushing, feeling hot* | 232 | 13.2 |
| Hypertension* | 58 | 3.3 |
| Hypotension including orthostatic hypotension* | 30 | 1.7 |
| Peripheral coldness* | 21 | 1.2 |
| * Represents a medical concept including several similar MedDRA PTs | ||
Table 3 shows the percentage of adult patients who developed marked laboratory abnormalities.
Table 3. Percentage of Adult Patients, by Study and Treatment Group, with Chemistry and Hematology Abnormalities Occurring in greater than 3% of Patients Receiving NORVIR
| Study 245 Naive Patients | Study 247 Advanced Patients | Study 462 PI-Naive Patients | |||||
| Variable | Limit | NORVIR plus ZDV | NORVIR | ZDV | NORVIR | Placebo | NORVIR plus Saquinavir |
| Chemistry | High | ||||||
| Cholesterol | > 240 mg/dL | 30.7 | 44.8 | 9.3 | 36.5 | 8.0 | 65.2 |
| CPK | > 1000 IU/L | 9.6 | 12.1 | 11.0 | 9.1 | 6.3 | 9.9 |
| GGT | > 300 IU/L | 1.8 | 5.2 | 1.7 | 19.6 | 11.3 | 9.2 |
| SGOT (AST) | > 180 IU/L | 5.3 | 9.5 | 2.5 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 7.8 |
| SGPT (ALT) | > 215 IU/L | 5.3 | 7.8 | 3.4 | 8.5 | 4.4 | 9.2 |
| Triglycerides | > 800 mg/dL | 9.6 | 17.2 | 3.4 | 33.6 | 9.4 | 23.4 |
| Triglycerides | > 1500 mg/dL | 1.8 | 2.6 | - | 12.6 | 0.4 | 11.3 |
| Triglycerides Fasting | > 1500 mg/dL | 1.5 | 1.3 | - | 9.9 | 0.3 | - |
| Uric Acid | > 12 mg/dL | - | - | - | 3.8 | 0.2 | 1.4 |
| Hematology | Low | ||||||
| Hematocrit | < 30% | 2.6 | - | 0.8 | 17.3 | 22.0 | 0.7 |
| Hemoglobin | < 8.0 g/dL | 0.9 | - | - | 3.8 | 3.9 | - |
| Neutrophils | ≤ 0.5 x 109/L | - | - | - | 6.0 | 8.3 | - |
| RBC | < 3.0 x 1012/L | 1.8 | - | 5.9 | 18.6 | 24.4 | - |
| WBC | < 2.5 x 109/L | - | 0.9 | 6.8 | 36.9 | 59.4 | 3.5 |
| -Indicates no events reported. | |||||||
NORVIR has been studied in 265 pediatric patients greater than 1 month to 21 years of age. The adverse event profile observed during pediatric clinical trials was similar to that for adult patients.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash/allergy were the only drug-related clinical adverse events of moderate to severe intensity observed in greater than or equal to 2% of pediatric patients enrolled in NORVIR clinical trials.
The following Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities occurred in greater than 3% of pediatric patients who received treatment with NORVIR either alone or in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitors: neutropenia (9%), hyperamylasemia (7%), thrombocytopenia (5%), anemia (4%), and elevated AST (3%).
The following adverse events (not previously mentioned in the labeling) have been reported during post-marketing use of NORVIR. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to NORVIR exposure.
Dehydration, usually associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, and sometimes resulting in hypotension, syncope, or renal insufficiency has been reported. Syncope, orthostatic hypotension, and renal insufficiency have also been reported without known dehydration.
Co-administration of ritonavir with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine has been associated with acute ergot toxicity characterized by vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities and other tissues including the central nervous system.
First-degree AV block, second-degree AV block, third-degree AV block, right bundle branch block have been reported [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Cardiac and neurologic events have been reported when ritonavir has been co-administered with disopyramide, mexiletine, nefazodone, fluoxetine, and beta blockers. The possibility of drug interaction cannot be excluded.
Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression have been reported when ritonavir has been co-administered with fluticasone propionate or budesonide.
There have been postmarketing reports of seizure. Also, see Cardiovascular System.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) has been reported.
When co-administering NORVIR with other protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir), see the full prescribing information for that protease inhibitor including important information for drug interactions.
Ritonavir is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and may increase plasma concentrations of agents that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A. Agents that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A and have high first pass metabolism appear to be the most susceptible to large increases in AUC (greater than 3-fold) when co-administered with ritonavir. Thus, co-administration of NORVIR with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events is contraindicated. Co-administration with other CYP3A substrates may require a dose adjustment or additional monitoring as shown in Table 4.
Ritonavir also inhibits CYP2D6 to a lesser extent. Co-administration of substrates of CYP2D6 with ritonavir could result in increases (up to 2-fold) in the AUC of the other agent, possibly requiring a proportional dosage reduction. Ritonavir also appears to induce CYP3A, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 as well as other enzymes, including glucuronosyl transferase.
Table 4 provides a list of established or potentially clinically significant drug interactions. Alteration in dose or regimen may be recommended based on drug interaction studies or predicted interaction [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY] for magnitude of interaction.
Table 4. Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions
| Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name |
Effect on Concentration of Ritonavir or Concomitant Drug | Clinical Comment |
| HIV-Antiviral Agents | ||
| HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: atazanavir darunavir fosamprenavir |
↑ amprenavir ↑ atazanavir ↑ darunavir |
See the complete prescribing information for fosamprenavir, atazanavir, darunavir for details on co-administration with ritonavir. |
| HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: indinavir |
↑ indinavir | Appropriate doses for this combination, with respect to efficacy and safety, have not been established. |
| HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: saquinavir |
↑ saquinavir | See the complete prescribing information for saquinavir for details on co-administration of saquinavir and ritonavir. |
| Saquinavir/ritonavir in combination with rifampin is not recommended due to the risk of severe hepatotoxicity (presenting as increased hepatic transaminases) if the three drugs are given together. | ||
| HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor: tipranavir |
↑ tipranavir | See the complete prescribing information for tipranavir for details on co-administration of tipranavir and ritonavir. |
| Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor: delavirdine |
↑ ritonavir | Appropriate doses of this combination with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established. |
| HIV-1 CCR5 – antagonist: maraviroc | ↑ maraviroc | See the complete prescribing information for maraviroc for details on co-administration of maraviroc and ritonavir-containing protease inhibitors. |
| Integrase Inhibitor: raltegravir | ↓ raltegravir | The effects of ritonavir on raltegravir with ritonavir dosage regimens greater than 100 mg twice daily have not been evaluated, however raltegravir concentrations may be decreased with ritonavir coadministration. |
| Other Agents | ||
| Alpha 1-Adrenoreceptor Antagonist: alfuzosin |
↑ alfuzosin | Contraindicated due to potential hypotension [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Antianginal: ranolazine |
↑ ranolazine | Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Analgesics, Narcotic: tramadol, propoxyphene, methadone, fentanyl |
↑ analgesics | A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Dosage increase of methadone may be considered. | ||
| ↓ methadone ↑ fentanyl |
Careful monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects (including potentially fatal respiratory depression) is recommended when fentanyl is concomitantly administered with NORVIR. | |
| Anesthetic: meperidine |
↓ meperidine/ ↑ normeperidine (metabolite) |
Dosage increase and long-term use of meperidine with ritonavir are not recommended due to the increased concentrations of the metabolite normeperidine which has both analgesic activity and CNS stimulant activity (e.g., seizures). |
| Antialcoholics: disulfiram/metronidazole |
Ritonavir formulations contain ethanol, which can produce disulfiram-like reactions when co-administered with disulfiram or other drugs that produce this reaction (e.g., metronidazole). | |
| Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone, dronedarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine |
↑ antiarrhythmics | Contraindicated due to potential for cardiac arrhythmias [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Antiarrhythmics: disopyramide, lidocaine, mexiletine |
↑ antiarrhythmics | Caution is warranted and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for antiarrhythmics when co-administered with ritonavir, if available. |
| Anticancer Agents: abemaciclib, dasatinib, ibrutinib, neratinib, nilotinib, venetoclax, vincristine, vinblastine |
↑ anticancer agents | For vincristine and vinblastine, consideration should be given to temporarily withholding the ritonavir containing antiretroviral regimen in patients who develop significant hematologic or gastrointestinal side effects when ritonavir is administered concurrently with vincristine or vinblastine. |
| Clinicians should be aware that if the ritonavir containing regimen is withheld for a prolonged period, consideration should be given to altering the regimen to not include a CYP3A or P-gp inhibitor in order to control HIV-1 viral load. A decrease in the dosage or an adjustment of the dosing interval of nilotinib and dasatinib may be necessary for patients requiring co-administration with strong CYP3A inhibitors such as NORVIR. Please refer to the nilotinib and dasatinib prescribing information for dosing instructions. | ||
| Avoid use of venetoclax or ibrutinib with NORVIR because NORVIR is a strong CYP3A inhibitor and may increase the risk of tumor lysis syndrome. | ||
| Avoid concomitant use of neratinib with NORVIR. Avoid concomitant use of abemaciclib with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as NORVIR). | ||
| Anticoagulant: warfarin |
↑↓ warfarin | Initial frequent monitoring of the INR during ritonavir and warfarin co-administration is recommended. |
| Anticoagulant: rivaroxaban |
↑ rivaroxaban | Avoid concomitant use of rivaroxaban and ritonavir. Co-administration of ritonavir and rivaroxaban may lead to risk of increased bleeding. |
| Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, clonazepam, ethosuximide |
↑ anticonvulsants | A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for these anticonvulsants, if available. |
| Anticonvulsants: divalproex, lamotrigine, phenytoin |
↓ anticonvulsants | A dose increase may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir and therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for these anticonvulsants, if available. |
| Antidepressants: nefazodone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, tricyclics: e.g. amitriptyline, nortriptyline |
↑ antidepressants | A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Antidepressant: bupropion | ↓ bupropion ↓ active metabolite, hydroxybupropion |
Patients receiving ritonavir and bupropion concurrently should be monitored for an adequate clinical response to bupropion. |
| Antidepressant: desipramine |
↑ desipramine | Dosage reduction and concentration monitoring of desipramine is recommended. |
| Antidepressant: trazodone |
↑ trazodone | Adverse events of nausea, dizziness, hypotension and syncope have been observed following co-administration of trazodone and NORVIR. A lower dose of trazodone should be considered. |
| Antiemetic: dronabinol |
↑ dronabinol | A dose decrease of dronabinol may be needed when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Antifungals: ketoconazole itraconazole voriconazole |
↑ ketoconazole ↑ itraconazole ↓ voriconazole |
High doses of ketoconazole or itraconazole (greater than 200 mg per day) are not recommended. |
| Co-administration of voriconazole and ritonavir doses of 400 mg every 12 hours or greater is contraindicated due to the potential for loss of antifungal response [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. Co-administration of voriconazole and ritonavir 100 mg should be avoided, unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies the use of voriconazole. | ||
| Anti-gout: colchicine |
↑ colchicine | Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| For patients with normal renal or hepatic function: | ||
| Treatment of gout flares-co-administration of colchicine in patients on ritonavir: 0.6 mg (one tablet) for one dose, followed by 0.3 mg (half tablet) one hour later. Dose to be repeated no earlier than three days. |
||
| Prophylaxis of gout flares-co-administration of colchicine in patients on ritonavir: If the original colchicine regimen was 0.6 mg twice a day, the regimen should be adjusted to 0.3 mg once a day. If the original colchicine regimen was 0.6 mg once a day, the regimen should be adjusted to 0.3 mg once every other day. |
||
| Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)co-administration of colchicine in patients on ritonavir: Maximum daily dose of 0.6 mg (may be given as 0.3 mg twice a day). |
||
| Anti-infective: clarithromycin |
↑ clarithromycin | For patients with renal impairment, adjust clarithromycin dose as follows:
|
| Antimycobacterial: bedaquiline |
↑ bedaquiline | Bedaquiline should only be used with ritonavir if the benefit of co-administration outweighs the risk. |
| Antimycobacterial: rifabutin |
↑ rifabutin and rifabutin metabolite | Dosage reduction of rifabutin by at least three-quarters of the usual dose of 300 mg per day is recommended (e.g., 150 mg every other day or three times a week). Further dosage reduction may be necessary. |
| Antimycobacterial: rifampin |
↓ ritonavir | May lead to loss of virologic response. Alternate antimycobacterial agents such as rifabutin should be considered. |
| Antiparasitic: atovaquone |
↓ atovaquone | Clinical significance is unknown; however, increase in atovaquone dose may be needed. |
| Antiparasitic: quinine |
↑ quinine | A dose decrease of quinine may be needed when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Antipsychotics: lurasidone |
↑ lurasidone | Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| pimozide | ↑ pimozide | Contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Antipsychotics: perphenazine, risperidone, thioridazine | ↑ antipsychotics | A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Antipsychotics: quetiapine |
↑ quetiapine | Initiation of NORVIR in patients taking quetiapine: |
| Consider alternative antiretroviral therapy to avoid increases in quetiapine exposures. If coadministration is necessary, reduce the quetiapine dose to 1/6 of the current dose and monitor for quetiapine-associated adverse reactions. Refer to the quetiapine prescribing information for recommendations on adverse reaction monitoring. | ||
| Initiation of quetiapine in patients taking NORVIR: | ||
| Refer to the quetiapine prescribing information for initial dosing and titration of quetiapine. | ||
| β-Blockers: metoprolol, timolol |
↑ beta-blockers | Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended. A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Bronchodilator: theophylline |
↓ theophylline | Increased dosage of theophylline may be required; therapeutic monitoring should be considered. |
| Calcium channel blockers: diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil |
↑ calcium channel blockers | Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended. A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Digoxin | ↑ digoxin | Concomitant administration of ritonavir with digoxin may increase digoxin levels. Caution should be exercised when co-administering ritonavir with digoxin, with appropriate monitoring of serum digoxin levels. |
| Endothelin receptor antagonists: bosentan |
↑ bosentan | Co-administration of bosentan in patients on ritonavir: |
| In patients who have been receiving ritonavir for at least 10 days, start bosentan at 62.5 mg once daily or every other day based upon individual tolerability. | ||
| Co-administration of ritonavir in patients on bosentan: | ||
| Discontinue use of bosentan at least 36 hours prior to initiation of ritonavir. | ||
| After at least 10 days following the initiation of ritonavir, resume bosentan at 62.5 mg once daily or every other day based upon individual tolerability. | ||
| Ergot Derivatives: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine |
↑ ergot derivatives | Contraindicated due to potential for acute ergot toxicity characterized by vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities and other tissues including the central nervous system [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| GI Motility Agent: cisapride |
↑ cisapride | Contraindicated due to potential for cardiac arrhythmias [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Hepatitis C direct acting antiviral: glecaprevir/pibrentasvir |
↑ glecaprevir ↑ pibrentasvir |
It is not recommended to co-administer ritonavir with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or simeprevir. |
| simeprevir | ↑simeprevir | |
| Herbal Products: St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) |
↓ ritonavir | Contraindicated due to potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance to NORVIR or to the class of protease inhibitors [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Lipid-modifying agents | ↑ lovastatin ↑ simvastatin |
Contraindicated due to potential for myopathy including rhabdomyolysis [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor: lovastatin simvastatin |
||
| atorvastatin rosuvastatin |
↑ atorvastatin ↑rosuvastatin |
Titrate atorvastatin and rosuvastatin dose carefully and use the lowest necessary dose. If NORVIR is used with another protease inhibitor, see the complete prescribing information for the concomitant protease inhibitor for details on co-administration with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. |
| Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) Inhibitor: lomitapide |
↑ lomitapide | Lomitapide is a sensitive substrate for CYP3A4 metabolism. CYP3A4 inhibitors increase the exposure of lomitapide, with strong inhibitors increasing exposure approximately 27-fold. Concomitant use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with lomitapide is contraindicated due to potential for hepatotoxicity [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Immunosuppressants: cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus (rapamycin) |
↑immunosuppressants | Therapeutic concentration monitoring is recommended for immunosuppressant agents when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Long-acting betaadrenoceptor agonist: salmeterol |
↑ salmeterol | Concurrent administration of salmeterol and ritonavir is not recommended. The combination may result in increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with salmeterol, including QT prolongation, palpitations and sinus tachycardia. |
| Oral Contraceptives or Patch Contraceptives: ethinyl estradiol |
↓ ethinyl estradiol | Alternate methods of contraception should be considered. |
| PDE5 Inhibitors: avanafil sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil | ↑ avanafil ↑ sildenafil ↑ tadalafil ↑ vardenafil |
Sildenafil when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (Revatio®) is contraindicated due to the potential for sildenafil associated adverse events, including visual abnormalities, hypotension, prolonged erection, and syncope [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Do not use ritonavir with avanafil because a safe and effective avanafil dosage regimen has not been established. | ||
| Particular caution should be used when prescribing sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil in patients receiving ritonavir. Coadministration of ritonavir with these drugs may result in an increase in PDE5 inhibitor associated adverse events, including hypotension, syncope, visual changes, and prolonged erection. | ||
| Use of PDE5 inhibitors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): | ||
| Sildenafil (Revatio®) is contraindicated [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. | ||
| The following dose adjustments are recommended for use of tadalafil (Adcirca®) with ritonavir: | ||
| Co-administration of ADCIRCA in patients on ritonavir: In patients receiving ritonavir for at least one week, start ADCIRCA at 20 mg once daily. Increase to 40 mg once daily based upon individual tolerability. |
||
| Co-administration of ritonavir in patients on ADCIRCA: Avoid use of ADCIRCA during the initiation of ritonavir. Stop ADCIRCA at least 24 hours prior to starting ritonavir. After at least one week following the initiation of ritonavir, resume ADCIRCA at 20 mg once daily. Increase to 40 mg once daily based upon individual tolerability. |
||
| Use of PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: | ||
It is recommended not to exceed the following doses:
|
||
| Sedative/hypnotics: buspirone, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam, zolpidem |
↑ sedative/hypnotics | A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Sedative/Hypnotics: triazolam, orally administered midazolam |
↑ triazolam ↑ midazolam |
Contraindicated due to potential for prolonged or increased sedation or respiratory depression [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. |
| Sedative/hypnotics: Parenteral midazolam |
↑ midazolam | Co-administration should be done in a setting which ensures close clinical monitoring and appropriate medical management in case of respiratory depression and/or prolonged sedation. Dosage reduction for midazolam should be considered, especially if more than a single dose of midazolam is administered. |
| Stimulant: methamphetamine |
↑ methamphetamine | Use with caution. A dose decrease of methamphetamine may be needed when co-administered with ritonavir. |
| Systemic/Inhaled/ Nasal/Ophthalmic Corticosteroids: e.g., betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide dexamethasone fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone prednisone triamcinolone |
↑ glucocorticoids | Coadministration with corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression. |
| Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone and prednisolone (whose PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other studied steroids) should be considered, particularly for long-term use. | ||
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Initiation of NORVIR, a CYP3A inhibitor, in patients receiving medications metabolized by CYP3A or initiation of medications metabolized by CYP3A in patients already receiving NORVIR, may increase plasma concentrations of medications metabolized by CYP3A. Initiation of medications that inhibit or induce CYP3A may increase or decrease concentrations of NORVIR, respectively. These interactions may lead to:
When co-administering NORVIR with other protease inhibitors, see the full prescribing information for that protease inhibitor including important Warnings and Precautions.
See Table 4 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations [see DRUG INTERACTIONS]. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during NORVIR therapy; review concomitant medications during NORVIR therapy, and monitor for the adverse reactions associated with the concomitant medications [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS].
NORVIR oral solution contains the excipients ethanol (approx. 43% v/v) and propylene glycol (approx. 27% w/v). When administered concomitantly with propylene glycol, ethanol competitively inhibits the metabolism of propylene glycol, which may lead to elevated concentrations. Preterm neonates may be at an increased risk of propylene glycol-associated adverse events due to diminished ability to metabolize propylene glycol, thereby leading to accumulation and potential adverse events. Postmarketing life-threatening cases of cardiac toxicity (including complete AV block, bradycardia, and cardiomyopathy), lactic acidosis, acute renal failure, CNS depression and respiratory complications leading to death have been reported, predominantly in preterm neonates receiving lopinavir/ritonavir oral solution which also contains the excipients ethanol and propylene glycol.
NORVIR oral solution should not be used in preterm neonates in the immediate postnatal period because of possible toxicities. However, if the benefit of using NORVIR oral solution to treat HIV infection in infants immediately after birth outweighs the potential risks, infants should be monitored closely for increases in serum osmolality and serum creatinine, and for toxicity related to NORVIR oral solution including: hyperosmolality, with or without lactic acidosis, renal toxicity, CNS depression (including stupor, coma, and apnea), seizures, hypotonia, cardiac arrhythmias and ECG changes, and hemolysis. Total amounts of ethanol and propylene glycol from all medicines that are to be given to infants should be taken into account in order to avoid toxicity from these excipients [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and OVERDOSE].
Hepatic transaminase elevations exceeding 5 times the upper limit of normal, clinical hepatitis, and jaundice have occurred in patients receiving NORVIR alone or in combination with other antiretroviral drugs (see Table 3). There may be an increased risk for transaminase elevations in patients with underlying hepatitis B or C. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering NORVIR to patients with pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or hepatitis. Increased AST/ALT monitoring should be considered in these patients, especially during the first three months of NORVIR treatment [see Use In Specific Populations].
There have been postmarketing reports of hepatic dysfunction, including some fatalities. These have generally occurred in patients taking multiple concomitant medications and/or with advanced AIDS.
Pancreatitis has been observed in patients receiving NORVIR therapy, including those who developed hypertriglyceridemia. In some cases fatalities have been observed. Patients with advanced HIV disease may be at increased risk of elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis [see Lipid Disorders]. Pancreatitis should be considered if clinical symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) or abnormalities in laboratory values (such as increased serum lipase or amylase values) suggestive of pancreatitis should occur. Patients who exhibit these signs or symptoms should be evaluated and NORVIR therapy should be discontinued if a diagnosis of pancreatitis is made.
Allergic reactions including urticaria, mild skin eruptions, bronchospasm, and angioedema have been reported. Cases of anaphylaxis, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have also been reported. Discontinue treatment if severe reactions develop.
Ritonavir prolongs the PR interval in some patients. Post marketing cases of second or third degree atrioventricular block have been reported in patients.
NORVIR should be used with caution in patients with underlying structural heart disease, preexisting conduction system abnormalities, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, as these patients may be at increased risk for developing cardiac conduction abnormalities.
The impact on the PR interval of co-administration of ritonavir with other drugs that prolong the PR interval (including calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, digoxin and atazanavir) has not been evaluated. As a result, co-administration of ritonavir with these drugs should be undertaken with caution, particularly with those drugs metabolized by CYP3A. Clinical monitoring is recommended [see DRUG INTERACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Treatment with NORVIR therapy alone or in combination with saquinavir has resulted in substantial increases in the concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Triglyceride and cholesterol testing should be performed prior to initiating NORVIR therapy and at periodic intervals during therapy. Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate, taking into account any potential drug-drug interactions with NORVIR and HMG CoA reductase inhibitors [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS].
New onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia have been reported during postmarketing surveillance in HIV-infected patients receiving protease inhibitor therapy. Some patients required either initiation or dose adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents for treatment of these events. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis has occurred. In those patients who discontinued protease inhibitor therapy, hyperglycemia persisted in some cases. Because these events have been reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency cannot be made and a causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established. Consider monitoring for hyperglycemia, new onset diabetes mellitus, or an exacerbation of diabetes mellitus in patients treated with NORVIR.
Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in HIV-infected patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including NORVIR. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.
Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution, however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.
Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and "cushingoid appearance" have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. The mechanism and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown. A causal relationship has not been established.
There have been reports of increased bleeding, including spontaneous skin hematomas and hemarthrosis, in patients with hemophilia type A and B treated with protease inhibitors. In some patients additional factor VIII was given. In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with protease inhibitors was continued or reintroduced. A causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established.
Varying degrees of cross-resistance among protease inhibitors have been observed. Continued administration of ritonavir 600 mg twice daily following loss of viral suppression may increase the likelihood of cross-resistance to other protease inhibitors [see Microbiology].
Ritonavir has been shown to increase triglycerides, cholesterol, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), GGT, CPK, and uric acid. Appropriate laboratory testing should be performed prior to initiating NORVIR therapy and at periodic intervals or if any clinical signs or symptoms occur during therapy.
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use)
[See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]
Pre-existing liver disease including Hepatitis B or C can worsen with use of NORVIR. This can be seen as worsening of transaminase elevations or hepatic decompensation. Advise patients that their liver function tests will need to be monitored closely especially during the first several months of NORVIR treatment and that they should notify their healthcare provider if they develop the signs and symptoms of worsening liver disease including loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice, and itchy skin [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pancreatitis, including some fatalities, has been observed in patients receiving NORVIR therapy. Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider of signs and symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) that might be suggestive of pancreatitis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Skin rashes ranging in severity from mild to Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported in patients receiving NORVIR. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they develop a rash while taking NORVIR [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
NORVIR may produce changes in the electrocardiogram (e.g., PR prolongation). Advise patients to consult their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, abnormal heart rhythm or loss of consciousness [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients that treatment with NORVIR therapy can result in substantial increases in the concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients that new onset of diabetes or exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia have been reported and to notify their healthcare provider if they develop the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus including frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger or unusual weight loss and/or an increased blood sugar while on NORVIR as they may require a change in their diabetes treatment or new treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients that immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in HIV-infected patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including NORVIR [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and that the cause and long term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients with hemophilia that they may experience increased bleeding when treated with protease inhibitors such as NORVIR [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise pregnant women that use of NORVIR oral solution during pregnancy is not recommended due to its ethanol content [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and Use In Specific Populations].
Inform patients that there is an antiretroviral pregnancy registry that monitors fetal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to NORVIR [see Use In Specific Populations].
Instruct women with HIV-1 infection not to breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk [see Use In Specific Populations].
Carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats have been carried out on ritonavir. In male mice, at levels of 50, 100 or 200 mg per kg per day, there was a dose dependent increase in the incidence of both adenomas and combined adenomas and carcinomas in the liver. Based on AUC measurements, the exposure at the high dose was approximately 0.3-fold for males that of the exposure in humans with the recommended therapeutic dose (600 mg twice-daily). There were no carcinogenic effects seen in females at the dosages tested. The exposure at the high dose was approximately 0.6-fold for the females that of the exposure in humans. In rats dosed at levels of 7, 15 or 30 mg per kg per day there were no carcinogenic effects. In this study, the exposure at the high dose was approximately 6% that of the exposure in humans with the recommended therapeutic dose. Based on the exposures achieved in the animal studies, the significance of the observed effects is not known.
However, ritonavir was found to be negative for mutagenic or clastogenic activity in a battery of in vitro and in vivo assays including the Ames bacterial reverse mutation assay using S. typhimurium and E. coli, the mouse lymphoma assay, the mouse micronucleus test and chromosomal aberration assays in human lymphocytes.
Ritonavir produced no effects on fertility in rats at drug exposures approximately 40% (male) and 60% (female) of that achieved with the proposed therapeutic dose. Higher dosages were not feasible due to hepatic toxicity.
When co-administering NORVIR with other protease inhibitors, see the full prescribing information for the co-administered protease inhibitor including important information for use in special populations.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to NORVIR during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263.
Prospective pregnancy data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) are not sufficient to adequately assess the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. Available data from the APR show no difference in the rate of overall birth defects for ritonavir compared to the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) [see Data].
In animal reproduction studies, no evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed with oral administration of ritonavir to pregnant rats and rabbits. During organogenesis in the rat and rabbit, systemic exposure (AUC) was approximately 1/3 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose. In the rat pre- and post-natal developmental study, maternal systemic exposure to ritonavir was approximately 1/2 of the exposure in humans at the recommended daily dose, based on a body surface area conversion factor [see Data].
NORVIR oral solution is not recommended during pregnancy because there is no known safe level of ethanol exposure during pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations, DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Dose Adjustments During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
NORVIR oral solution contains approx. 43% ethanol (v/v) and approx. 27% (w/v) propylene glycol and is not recommended during pregnancy because there is no known safe level of ethanol exposure during pregnancy [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Human Data
Based on prospective reports to the APR of approximately 6100 live births following exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens (including over 2800 live births exposed in the first trimester and over 3200 live births exposed in the second and third trimesters), there was no difference in the rate of overall birth defects for ritonavir compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the MACDP. The prevalence of birth defects in live births was 2.3% (95% CI: 1.7%-2.9%) following first-trimester exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.3%-3.5%) following second and third trimester exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens.
While placental transfer of ritonavir and fetal ritonavir concentrations are generally low, detectable levels have been observed in cord blood samples and neonate hair.
Animal Data
Ritonavir was administered orally to pregnant rats (at 0, 15, 35, and 75 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (at 0, 25, 50, and 110 mg/kg/day) during organogenesis (on gestation days 6 through 17 and 6 through 19, respectively). No evidence of teratogenicity due to ritonavir was observed in rats and rabbits at doses producing systemic exposures (AUC) equivalent to approximately 1/3 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose. Developmental toxicity observed in rats (early resorptions, decreased fetal body weight and ossification delays and developmental variations) occurred at a maternally toxic dose, at an exposure equivalent to approximately 1/3 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose. A slight increase in the incidence of cryptorchidism was also noted in rats (at a maternally toxic dose) at an exposure approximately 1/5 lower than human exposure at the recommended daily dose. Developmental toxicity was observed in rabbits (resorptions, decreased litter size and decreased fetal weights) at maternally toxic doses approximately 1.8 times higher than the recommended daily dose, based on a body surface area conversion factor. In pre-and postnatal development study in rats, ritonavir was administered at doses of 0, 15, 35, and 60 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 through postnatal day 20. At doses of 60 mg/kg/day, no developmental toxicity was noted with ritonavir dosage equivalent to 1/2 of the recommended daily dose, based on a body surface area conversion factor.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV.
Limited published data reports that ritonavir is present in human milk.
There is no information on the effects of ritonavir on the breastfed infant or the effects of the drug on milk production. Because of the potential for (1) HIV transmission (in HIV-negative infants), (2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-positive infants) and (3) serious adverse reactions in a breastfed infant, instruct mothers not to breastfeed if they are receiving NORVIR.
Use of NORVIR may reduce the efficacy of combined hormonal contraceptives. Advise patients using combined hormonal contraceptives to use an effective alternative contraceptive method or an additional barrier method of contraception [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
In HIV-infected patients age greater than 1 month to 21 years, the antiviral activity and adverse event profile seen during clinical trials and through postmarketing experience were similar to that for adult patients.
Clinical studies of NORVIR did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
No dose adjustment of ritonavir is necessary for patients with either mild (Child-Pugh Class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh Class B) hepatic impairment. No pharmacokinetic or safety data are available regarding the use of ritonavir in subjects with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C), therefore, ritonavir is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Human experience of acute overdose with NORVIR is limited. One patient in clinical trials took NORVIR 1500 mg per day for two days. The patient reported paresthesias which resolved after the dose was decreased. A post-marketing case of renal failure with eosinophilia has been reported with ritonavir overdose.
The approximate lethal dose was found to be greater than 20 times the related human dose in rats and 10 times the related human dose in mice.
NORVIR oral solution contains approx. 43% ethanol (v/v) and approx. 27% (w/v) propylene glycol. Ingestion of the product over the recommended dose by a young child could result in significant toxicity and could potentially be lethal.
Treatment of overdose with NORVIR consists of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. There is no specific antidote for overdose with NORVIR. If indicated, elimination of unabsorbed drug should be achieved by gastric lavage; usual precautions should be observed to maintain the airway. Administration of activated charcoal may also be used to aid in removal of unabsorbed drug. Since ritonavir is extensively metabolized by the liver and is highly protein bound, dialysis is unlikely to be beneficial in significant removal of the drug. However, dialysis can remove both ethanol and propylene glycol in the case of overdose with ritonavir oral solution. A Certified Poison Control Center should be consulted for up-to-date information on the management of overdose with NORVIR.
Ritonavir is an antiretroviral drug [see Microbiology].
QTcF interval was evaluated in a randomized, placebo and active (moxifloxacin 400 mg once-daily) controlled crossover study in 45 healthy adults, with 10 measurements over 12 hours on Day 3. The maximum mean (95% upper confidence bound) time-matched difference in QTcF from placebo after baseline correction was 5.5 (7.6) milliseconds (msec) for 400 mg twice-daily ritonavir. Ritonavir 400 mg twice daily resulted in Day 3 ritonavir exposure that was approximately 1.5 fold higher than observed with ritonavir 600 mg twice-daily dose at steady state.
PR interval prolongation was also noted in subjects receiving ritonavir in the same study on Day 3. The maximum mean (95% confidence interval) difference from placebo in the PR interval after baseline correction was 22 (25) msec for 400 mg twice-daily ritonavir [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
The pharmacokinetics of ritonavir have been studied in healthy volunteers and HIV-infected patients (CD4 greater than or equal to 50 cells per μL). See Table 5 for ritonavir pharmacokinetic characteristics.
The absolute bioavailability of ritonavir has not been determined. After a 600 mg dose of oral solution, peak concentrations of ritonavir were achieved approximately 2 hours and 4 hours after dosing under fasting and non-fasting (514 KCal; 9% fat, 12% protein, and 79% carbohydrate) conditions, respectively.
NORVIR tablets are not bioequivalent to NORVIR capsules. Under moderate fat conditions (857 kcal; 31% fat, 13% protein, 56% carbohydrates), when a single 100 mg NORVIR dose was administered as a tablet compared with a capsule, AUC(0- ∞) met equivalence criteria but mean Cmax was increased by 26% (92.8% confidence intervals: ↑15 -↑39%).
No information is available comparing NORVIR tablets to NORVIR capsules under fasting conditions.
After administration of a single 100 mg dose under fed conditions (617 Kcal, 29% calories from fat), NORVIR oral powder demonstrated comparable bioavailability to the oral solution.
Effect of Food on Oral Absorption
The bioavailability of NORVIR tablet, oral solution, and oral powder is decreased under fed conditions as compared to fasted conditions.
Following the administration of a 100 mg tablet dose of NORVIR, Cmax and AUCinf of ritonavir were decreased by 21-23% under moderate fat (857 Kcal, 30% from fat) or high fat conditions (917 Kcal, 60% calories from fat) relative to fasting conditions.
Following the administration of a 600 mg dose NORVIR oral solution, Cmax and AUCinf of ritonavir were decreased by 23% and 7%, respectively, under nonfasting conditions (514 Kcal, 10% from fat) relative to fasting conditions. Dilution of the oral solution, within one hour of administration, with 240 mL of chocolate milk, Advera® or Ensure® did not significantly affect the extent and rate of ritonavir absorption.
Following the administration of a 100 mg dose of NORVIR oral powder, Cmax and AUCinf of ritonavir were decreased by 23-49% under moderate fat (617 Kcal, 29% calories from fat) or high fat conditions (917 Kcal, 60% calories from fat) relative to fasting conditions.
Nearly all of the plasma radioactivity after a single oral 600 mg dose of 14C-ritonavir oral solution (n = 5) was attributed to unchanged ritonavir. Five ritonavir metabolites have been identified in human urine and feces. The isopropylthiazole oxidation metabolite (M-2) is the major metabolite and has antiviral activity similar to that of parent drug; however, the concentrations of this metabolite in plasma are low. In vitro studies utilizing human liver microsomes have demonstrated that cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) is the major isoform involved in ritonavir metabolism, although CYP2D6 also contributes to the formation of M–2.
In a study of five subjects receiving a 600 mg dose of 14C-ritonavir oral solution, 11.3 ± 2.8% of the dose was excreted into the urine, with 3.5 ± 1.8% of the dose excreted as unchanged parent drug. In that study, 86.4 ± 2.9% of the dose was excreted in the feces with 33.8 ± 10.8% of the dose excreted as unchanged parent drug. Upon multiple dosing, ritonavir accumulation is less than predicted from a single dose possibly due to a time and dose-related increase in clearance.
Table 5. Ritonavir Pharmacokinetic Characteristics
| Parameter | 0.41 ± 0.25 L/kg | Values (Mean ± SD) |
| Vβ/F‡ | 91 | 0.41 ± 0.25 L/kg |
| t½ | 3 - 5 h | |
| CL/F SS† | 10 | 8.8 ± 3.2 L/h |
| CL/F‡ | 91 | 4.6 ± 1.6 L/h |
| CLR | 62 | < 0.1 L/h |
| RBC/Plasma Ratio | 0.14 | |
| Percent Bound* | 98 to 99% | |
|
† SS = steady state; patients taking ritonavir 600 mg q12h. ‡ Single ritonavir 600 mg dose. * Primarily bound to human serum albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein over the ritonavir concentration range of 0.01 to 30 μg/mL. |
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No age-related pharmacokinetic differences have been observed in adult patients (18 to 63 years). Ritonavir pharmacokinetics have not been studied in older patients.
A study of ritonavir pharmacokinetics in healthy males and females showed no statistically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of ritonavir. Pharmacokinetic differences due to race have not been identified.
Steady-state pharmacokinetics were evaluated in 37 HIV-infected patients ages 2 to 14 years receiving doses ranging from 250 mg per m2 twice-daily to 400 mg per m2 twice-daily in PACTG Study 310, and in 41 HIV-infected patients ages 1 month to 2 years at doses of 350 and 450 mg per m2 twice-daily in PACTG Study 345. Across dose groups, ritonavir steady-state oral clearance (CL/F/m2) was approximately 1.5 to 1.7 times faster in pediatric patients than in adult subjects. Ritonavir concentrations obtained after 350 to 400 mg per m2 twice-daily in pediatric patients greater than 2 years were comparable to those obtained in adults receiving 600 mg (approximately 330 mg per m2) twice-daily. The following observations were seen regarding ritonavir concentrations after administration with 350 or 450 mg per m2 twice-daily in children less than 2 years of age. Higher ritonavir exposures were not evident with 450 mg per m2 twice-daily compared to the 350 mg per m2 twice-daily. Ritonavir trough concentrations were somewhat lower than those obtained in adults receiving 600 mg twice-daily. The area under the ritonavir plasma concentration time curve and trough concentrations obtained after administration with 350 or 450 mg per m2 twice-daily in children less than 2 years were approximately 16% and 60% lower, respectively, than that obtained in adults receiving 600 mg twice daily.
Ritonavir pharmacokinetics have not been studied in patients with renal impairment, however, since renal clearance is negligible, a decrease in total body clearance is not expected in patients with renal impairment.
Dose-normalized steady-state ritonavir concentrations in subjects with mild hepatic impairment (400 mg twice-daily, n = 6) were similar to those in control subjects dosed with 500 mg twice-daily. Dose-normalized steady-state ritonavir exposures in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (400 mg twice-daily, n= 6) were about 40% lower than those in subjects with normal hepatic function (500 mg twice-daily, n = 6). Protein binding of ritonavir was not statistically significantly affected by mild or moderately impaired hepatic function. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. However, health care providers should be aware of the potential for lower ritonavir concentrations in patients with moderate hepatic impairment and should monitor patient response carefully. Ritonavir has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Based on evaluation of the published literature, ritonavir exposures are reduced during pregnancy relative to postpartum.
[see also CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and DRUG INTERACTIONS]
Table 6 and Table 7 summarize the effects on AUC and Cmax, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), of co-administration of ritonavir with a variety of drugs. For information about clinical recommendations see Table 4 in DRUG INTERACTIONS.
Table 6. Drug Interactions - Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Ritonavir in the Presence of the Co-administered Drug
| Co-administered Drug | Dose of Co-administered Drug (mg) | Dose of NORVIR (mg) | N | AUC % (95% CI) |
Cmax (95% CI) |
Cmin (95% CI) |
| Clarithromycin | 500 q12h, 4 d |
200 q8h, 4 d |
22 | ↑ 12% (2, 23%) |
↑ 15% (2, 28%) |
↑ 14% (-3, 36%) |
| Didanosine | 200 q12h, 4 d |
600 q12h, 4 d |
12 | ↔ | ↔ | ↔ |
| Fluconazole | 400 single dose, day 1; 200 daily, 4 d |
200 q6h, 4 d |
8 | ↑ 12% (5, 20%) |
↑ 15% (7, 22%) |
↑ 14% (0, 26%) |
| Fluoxetine | 30 q12h, 8 d | 600 single dose, 1 d |
16 | ↑ 19% (7, 34%) |
↔ | ND |
| Ketoconazole | 200 daily, 7 d |
500 q12h, 10 d |
12 | ↑ 18% (-3, 52%) |
↑ 10% (-11, 36%) |
ND |
| Rifampin | 600 or 300 daily, 10 d |
500 q12h, 20 d |
7, 9* | ↓ 35% (7, 55%) |
↓ 25% (-5, 46%) |
↓ 49% (-14, 91%) |
| Voriconazole | 400 q12h , 1 d; then 200 q12h, 8 d |
400 q12h, 9 d |
↔ | ↔ | ND | |
| Zidovudine | 200 q8h, 4 d |
300 q6h, 4 d |
10 | ↔ | ↔ | ↔ |
| ND=not determined | ||||||
Table 7. Drug Interactions - Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Co-administered Drug in the
Presence of NORVIR
| Co-administered Drug | Dose of Co-administered Drug (mg) | Dose of NORVIR (mg) | N | AUC % (95% CI) |
Cmax (95% CI) |
Cmin (95% CI) |
| Alprazolam | 1, single dose | 500 q12h, 10 d | 12 | ↓ 12% (-5, 30%) |
↓ 16% (5, 27%) |
ND |
| Avanafil | 50, single dose | 600 q12h | 146 | ↑ 13-fold | ↑ 2.4-fold | ND |
| Clarithromycin | 500 q12h, 4 d |
200 q8h, 4 d |
22 | ↑ 77% (56, 103%) |
↑ 31% (15, 51%) |
↑ 2.8-fold (2.4, 3.3X) |
| 14-OH clarithromycin metabolite | ↓ 100% | ↓ 99% | ↓ 100% | |||
| Desipramine | 100, single dose | 500 q12h, 12 d |
14 | ↑ 145% (103, 211%) |
↑ 22% (12, 35%) |
ND |
| 2-OH desipramine metabolite | ↓ 15% (3, 26%) |
↓ 67% (62, 72%) |
ND | |||
| Didanosine | 200 q12h, 4 d |
600 q12h, 4 d |
12 | ↓ 13% (0, 23%) |
↓ 16% (5, 26%) |
↔ |
| Ethinyl estradiol | 50 μg single dose | 500 q12h, 16 d |
23 | ↓ 40% (31, 49%) |
↓ 32% (24, 39%) |
ND |
| Fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray | 200 mcg qd, 7 d |
100 mg q12h, 7 d |
18 | ↑ approximately 350-fold5 | ↑ approximately 25-fold5 | |
| Indinavir1 Day 14 Day 15 |
400 q12h, 15 d |
400 q12h, 15 d |
10 | ↑ 6% (-14, 29%) |
↓ 51% (40, 61%) |
↑ 4-fold (2.8, 6.8X) |
| ↓ 7% (-22, 28%) |
↓ 62% (52, 70%) |
↑ 4-fold (2.5, 6.5X) |
||||
| Ketoconazole | 200 daily, 7 d |
500 q12h, 10 d |
12 | ↑ 3.4-fold (2.8, 4.3X) |
↑ 55% (40, 72%) |
ND |
| Meperidine | 50 oral single dose | 500 q12h, 10 d |
8 | ↓ 62% (59, 65%) |
↓ 59% (42, 72%) |
ND |
| Normeperidine metabolite | 6 | ↑ 47% (-24, 345%) |
↑ 87% (42, 147%) |
ND | ||
| Methadone2 | 5, single dose | 500 q12h, 15 d |
11 | ↓ 36% (16, 52%) |
↓ 38% (28, 46%) |
ND |
| Raltegravir | 400, single dose | 100 q12h, 16 d |
10 | ↓ 16% (-30, 1%) |
↓ 24% (-45, 4%) |
↓ 1% (-30, 40%) |
| Rivaroxaban | 10, single dose (days 0 and 7) | 600 q12h (days 2 to 7) | 12 | ↑ 150% (130-170%)7 |
↑ 60% (40-70%)7 |
ND |
| Rifabutin 25-O-desacetyl rifabutin metabolite | 150 daily, 16 d |
500 q12h, 10 d |
5, | ↑ 4-fold (2.8, 6.1X) |
↑ 2.5-fold (1.9, 3.4X) |
↑ 6-fold (3.5, 18.3X) |
| 11* | ↑ 38-fold (28, 56X) |
↑ 16-fold (13, 20X) |
↑ 181-fold (ND) |
|||
| Sildenafil | 100, single dose | 500 twice daily, 8 d |
28 | ↑ 11-fold | ↑ 4-fold | ND |
| Simeprevir | 200 mg qd, 7 d |
100 mg bid, 15 d |
12 | ↑ 618% (463%815%)8 |
↑370% (284%476%)8 |
↑1335% (929%-1901%)8 |
| Sulfamethoxazole3 | 800, single dose | 500 q12h, 12 d |
15 | ↓ 20% (16, 23%) |
↔ | ND |
| Tadalafil | 20 mg, single dose | 200 mg q12h | ↑ 124% | ↔ | ND | |
| Theophylline | 3 mg/kg q8h, 15 d |
500 q12h, 10 d |
13, 11* | ↓ 43% (42, 45%) |
↓ 32% (29, 34%) |
↓ 57% (55, 59%) |
| Trazodone | 50 mg, single dose | 200 mg q12h, 4 doses | 10 | ↑ 2.4-fold | ↑ 34% | |
| Trimethoprim3 | 160, single dose | 500 q12h, 12 d |
15 | ↑ 20% (3, 43%) |
↔ | ND |
| Vardenafil | 5 mg | 600 q12h | ↑ 49-fold | ↑ 13-fold | ND | |
| Voriconazole | 400 q12h, 1 d; then 200 q12h, 8 d | 400 q12h, 9 d |
↓ 82% | ↓ 66% | ||
| 400 q12h, 1 d; then 200 q12h, 8 d |
100 q12h, 9 d |
↓ 39% | ↓ 24% | |||
| Warfarin S-Warfarin R-Warfarin | 5, single dose | 400 q12h, 12d |
12 | ↑ 9% (-17, 44%)4 |
↓ 9% (-16, -2%)4 |
ND |
| ↓ 33% (-38, -27%)4 |
↔ | ND | ||||
| Zidovudine | 200 q8h, 4 d | 300 q6h, 4 d | 9 | ↓ 25% (15, 34%) |
↓ 27% (4, 45%) |
ND |
|
ND=not determined 1 Ritonavir and indinavir were co-administered for 15 days; Day 14 doses were administered after a 15%-fat breakfast (757 Kcal) and 9%-fat evening snack (236 Kcal), and Day 15 doses were administered after a 15%-fat breakfast (757 Kcal) and 32%-fat dinner (815 Kcal). Indinavir Cmin was also increased 4-fold. Effects were assessed relative to an indinavir 800 mg q8h regimen under fasting conditions. 2 Effects were assessed on a dose-normalized comparison to a methadone 20 mg single dose. 3 Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim taken as single combination tablet. 4 90% CI presented for R- and S-warfarin AUC and Cmax ratios. 5 This significant increase in plasma fluticasone propionate exposure resulted in a significant decrease (86%) in plasma cortisol AUC. 6 For the reference arm: N=14 for Cmax and AUC(0-inf), and for the test arm: N=13 for Cmax and N=4 for AUC(0-inf). 7 90% CI presented for rivaroxaban 8 90% CI presented for simeprevir (change in exposure presented as percentage increase) ↑ Indicates increase, ↓ indicates decrease, ↔ indicates no change. * Parallel group design; entries are subjects receiving combination and control regimens, respectively. |
||||||
Ritonavir is a peptidomimetic inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease. Inhibition of HIV protease renders the enzyme incapable of processing the Gag-Pol polyprotein precursor which leads to production of non-infectious immature HIV particles.
The activity of ritonavir was assessed in acutely infected lymphoblastoid cell lines and in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The concentration of drug that inhibits 50% (EC50) value of viral replication ranged from 3.8 to 153 nM depending upon the HIV-1 isolate and the cells employed. The average EC50 value for low passage clinical isolates was 22 nM (n = 13). In MT4 cells, ritonavir demonstrated additive effects against HIV-1 in combination with either didanosine (ddI) or zidovudine (ZDV). Studies which measured cytotoxicity of ritonavir on several cell lines showed that greater than 20 microM was required to inhibit cellular growth by 50% resulting in a cell culture therapeutic index of at least 1000.
HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility to ritonavir have been selected in cell culture. Genotypic analysis of these isolates showed mutations in the HIV-1 protease gene leading to amino acid substitutions I84V, V82F, A71V, and M46I. Phenotypic (n = 18) and genotypic (n = 48) changes in HIV-1 isolates from selected patients treated with ritonavir were monitored in phase I/II trials over a period of 3 to 32 weeks. Substitutions associated with the HIV–1 viral protease in isolates obtained from 43 patients appeared to occur in a stepwise and ordered fashion at positions V82A/F/T/S, I54V, A71V/T, and I36L, followed by combinations of substitutions at an additional 5 specific amino acid positions (M46I/L, K20R, I84V, L33F and L90M). Of 18 patients for whom both phenotypic and genotypic analysis were performed on free virus isolated from plasma, 12 showed reduced susceptibility to ritonavir in cell culture. All 18 patients possessed one or more substitutions in the viral protease gene. The V82A/F substitution appeared to be necessary but not sufficient to confer phenotypic resistance. Phenotypic resistance was defined as a greater than or equal to 5-fold decrease in viral sensitivity in cell culture from baseline.
Among protease inhibitors variable cross-resistance has been recognized. Serial HIV-1 isolates obtained from six patients during ritonavir therapy showed a decrease in ritonavir susceptibility in cell culture but did not demonstrate a concordant decrease in susceptibility to saquinavir in cell culture when compared to matched baseline isolates. However, isolates from two of these patients demonstrated decreased susceptibility to indinavir in cell culture (8-fold). Isolates from 5 patients were also tested for cross-resistance to amprenavir and nelfinavir; isolates from 3 patients had a decrease in susceptibility to nelfinavir (6- to 14-fold), and none to amprenavir. Cross-resistance between ritonavir and reverse transcriptase inhibitors is unlikely because of the different enzyme targets involved. One ZDV-resistant HIV-1 isolate tested in cell culture retained full susceptibility to ritonavir.
The activity of NORVIR as monotherapy or in combination with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors has been evaluated in 1446 patients enrolled in two double-blind, randomized trials.
Study 247 was a randomized, double-blind trial (with open-label follow-up) conducted in HIV-infected patients with at least nine months of prior antiretroviral therapy and baseline CD4 cell counts less than or equal to 100 cells per μL. NORVIR 600 mg twice-daily or placebo was added to each patient's baseline antiretroviral therapy regimen, which could have consisted of up to two approved antiretroviral agents. The study accrued 1,090 patients, with mean baseline CD4 cell count at study entry of 32 cells per μL. After the clinical benefit of NORVIR therapy was demonstrated, all patients were eligible to switch to open-label NORVIR for the duration of the follow-up period. Median duration of double-blind therapy with NORVIR and placebo was 6 months. The median duration of follow-up through the end of the open-label phase was 13.5 months for patients randomized to NORVIR and 14 months for patients randomized to placebo.
The cumulative incidence of clinical disease progression or death during the double-blind phase of Study 247 was 26% for patients initially randomized to NORVIR compared to 42% for patients initially randomized to placebo. This difference in rates was statistically significant.
Cumulative mortality through the end of the open-label follow-up phase for patients enrolled in Study 247 was 18% (99/543) for patients initially randomized to NORVIR compared to 26% (142/547) for patients initially randomized to placebo. This difference in rates was statistically significant. However, since the analysis at the end of the open-label phase includes patients in the placebo arm who were switched from placebo to NORVIR therapy, the survival benefit of NORVIR cannot be precisely estimated.
During the double-blind phase of Study 247, CD4 cell counts increases from baseline for patients randomized to NORVIR at Week 2 and Week 4 were observed. From Week 4 and through Week 24, mean CD4 cell counts for patients randomized to NORVIR appeared to plateau. In contrast, there was no apparent change in mean CD4 cell counts for patients randomized to placebo at any visit between baseline and Week 24 of the double-blind phase of Study 247.
In Study 245, 356 antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients (mean baseline CD4 = 364 cells per μL) were randomized to receive either NORVIR 600 mg twice-daily, zidovudine 200 mg three-times-daily, or a combination of these drugs.
During the double-blind phase of study 245, greater mean CD4 cell count increases were observed from baseline to Week 12 in the NORVIR-containing arms compared to the zidovudine arms. Mean CD4 cell count changes subsequently appeared to plateau through Week 24 in the NORVIR arm, whereas mean CD4 cell counts gradually diminished through Week 24 in the zidovudine and NORVIR plus zidovudine arms.
Greater mean reductions in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were observed from baseline to Week 2 for the NORVIR-containing arms compared to the zidovudine arm. After Week 2 and through Week 24, mean plasma HIV-1 RNA levels either remained stable in the NORVIR and zidovudine arms or gradually rebounded toward baseline in the NORVIR plus zidovudine arm.
NORVIR®
(NOR-VEER)
(ritonavir)
Tablets
NORVIR®
(NOR-VEER)
(ritonavir)
Oral Solution
NORVIR®
(NOR-VEER)
(ritonavir)
Oral Powder
What is the most important information I should know about NORVIR?
What is NORVIR?
HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Do not take NORVIR if you or your child:
Serious problems can happen if you or your child takes any of these medicines with NORVIR.
Before taking NORVIR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you or your child:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with NORVIR. Keep a list of your medicines to show our healthcare provider and pharmacist.
How should I take NORVIR?
See the detailed Instructions for Use for information about how to give or take a dose of NORVIR oral powder.
What are the possible side effects of NORVIR?
NORVIR can cause serious side effects including:
Changes in the electrical activity of your heart called PR prolongation. PR prolongation can cause irregular heartbeats. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms such as:
The most common side effects of NORVIR include:
NORVIR oral solution contains a large amount of alcohol. If a toddler or young child accidentally drinks more than the recommended dose of NORVIR, it could make him/her sick from too much alcohol. Go to the nearest emergency room right away if this happens.
These are not all of the possible side effects of NORVIR. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store NORVIR?
Store NORVIR tablets:
Store NORVIR oral solution:
Store NORVIR oral powder:
Keep NORVIR and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of NORVIR
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information Leaflet. Do not use NORVIR for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give NORVIR to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about NORVIR that is written for healthcare professionals.
What are the ingredients in NORVIR?
Active ingredient: ritonavir
Inactive ingredients:
NORVIR tablet: copovidone, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, sorbitan monolaurate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium stearyl fumarate. The film coating contains: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, polyethylene glycol 3350, colloidal silicon dioxide, and polysorbate 80.
NORVIR oral solution: ethanol, water, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, propylene glycol, anhydrous citric acid to adjust pH, saccharin sodium, peppermint oil, creamy caramel flavoring, and FD&C Yellow No. 6.
NORVIR oral powder: copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, and colloidal silicon dioxide. NORVIR tablets and NORVIR oral solution are manufactured by: AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
NORVIR oral powder is manufactured for: AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
For more information, call 1-800-633-9110.
Instructions for Use
NORVIR®
(ritonavir)
oral powder
Read these Instructions for Use before you give or take a dose of NORVIR oral powder for the first time and every time you get a new prescription. There may be new information. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Important information
For more information about NORVIR oral powder see the Patient Information section of the Prescribing Information.
Items included in the NORVIR oral powder carton
Figure A
 |
Gather items to prepare your dose
If your dose is 100 mg or 200 mg: You will need 1 packet of NORVIR oral powder for 100 mg and 2 packets of NORVIR oral powder for 200 mg.
Note: If your healthcare provider prescribes a dose of NORVIR oral powder that is not 100 mg or 200 mg, your healthcare provider should tell you how to prepare your dose. Be sure to prepare your dose exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
You will also need the following items to prepare your dose of NORVIR oral powder with food (not included in the NORVIR oral powder carton):
Figure B
 |
If you are preparing a dose of NORVIR oral powder in liquid, you will also need the following items (not included in your NORVIR oral powder carton):
Figure C
 |
The instructions below show the dose being prepared with food, but if you are using liquid you can swap the food for a liquid.
Prepare your dose
Step 1: Place your supplies on a clean, flat surface, like a table.
Check to make sure your small cup or bowl and spoon are clean and dry.
Step 2: Check the prescription label on the carton for the number of packets you need to prepare a dose. Take the prescribed number of packets out of the carton. For example, remove 1 packet if your dose is 100 mg or 2 packets if your dose is 200 mg.
Figure D
 |
Step 3: Put a spoonful or more of soft food into the small cup or bowl.
Figure E
 |
Step 4: Tap the packet(s) to move all the powder to the bottom of the packet.
Completely tear or cut off the top of the packet and make sure the packet is fully open.
Figure F
 |
 |
Step 5: Pour all of the powder from the packet(s) onto the soft food.
Look inside the packet(s) to make sure there is no powder left inside. If there is powder left inside, hold the open end of the packet over your small cup or bowl and tap the packet(s) again to get all of the powder out.
Note: To make sure a full dose of NORVIR is given, it is important not to spill any powder and that there is no powder left in the packet(s).
Figure G
 |
 |
Step 6: Use the spoon to mix the powder and soft food well.
Note: If mixing NORVIR oral powder with a liquid, the mixture may look cloudy. This is okay.
Figure H
 |
Step 7: Give or take the mixture.
Be sure that all of the mixture is taken.
If there is any powder left in the small cup, bowl, or spoon, add more soft food to the powder and mix. Then give or take the mixture.
If there is any powder left in the drinking glass, add more liquid to the powder and mix. Then give or take the mixture.
Figure I
 |
Note: The mixture must be given within 2 hours of mixing with food or liquid. If not given within 2 hours of mixing, discard (throw away) the mixture and prepare a new dose.
If only part of the dose has been taken or given within the 2 hours, follow up with your healthcare provider.
Step 8: Put the empty packet(s) in the trash.
Hand wash the spoon, small cup or bowl, or drinking glass in warm water and soap.
Rinse the spoon, small cup or bowl, or drinking glass with warm water and allow to air dry.
Wash and dry the area used to prepare the NORVIR mixture.
Wash and dry your hands.
This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
