Kaletra

What you should know before using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

The twice-daily dose of this medicine has been tested in children 6 months of age and older and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

The once-daily dose of this medicine has been tested only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of lopinavir and ritonavir in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Alfuzosin
• Amiodarone
• Astemizole
• Bepridil
• Cisapride
• Conivaptan
• Dihydroergotamine
• Encainide
• Eplerenone
• Ergoloid Mesylates
• Ergonovine
• Ergotamine
• Flecainide
• Methylergonovine
• Methysergide
• Midazolam
• Pimozide
• Propafenone
• Quinidine
• Ranolazine
• St John's Wort
• Terfenadine
• Triazolam
• Voriconazole

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—Lopinavir and ritonavir may increase blood sugar; it may be necessary to adjust your dose of insulin or oral diabetes medicine

• Hemophilia—Lopinavir and ritonavir may increase the risk of major bleeding.

• Liver problems or
• Hepatitis B or
• Hepatitis C—Effects of lopinavir and ritonavir may be increased because of slower removal of the medicines from the body

• Pancreatitis (history of)—The chance that this condition will return is increased