ritonavir
Ritonavir is an HIV protease inhibitor that interferes with the reproductive cycle of HIV. Although it was initially developed as an independent antiviral agent, it has been shown to possess advantageous properties in combination regimens with low-dose ritonavir and other protease inhibitors.
It is now more commonly used as a booster of other protease inhibitors and is available in both liquid formulation and as capsules.
Mechanism of effect
Ritonavic inhibits the HIV viral proteinase enzyme that normally cleaves the structural and replicative proteins that arise from major HIV genes, such as gag and pol. Gag encodes proteins involved in the core and the nucleocapsid, while pol encodes the the HIV reverse transcriptase, ribonuclease H, integrase, and protease. The pol-encoded proteins are initially translated in the form of a larger precursoe polypeptide, gag-pol, and needs to be cleaved by HIV protease to form other complement proteins . Ritonavir prevents the cleavage of the gag-pol polyprotein, which results in noninfectious, immature viral particles. Ritonavir is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 isoenzyme present both in the intestinal tract and liver.
It is a type II ligand that perfectly fits into the CYP3A4 active site cavity and irreversibly binds to the heme iron via the thiazole nitrogen, which decreases the redox potential of the protein and precludes its reduction with the redox partner, cytochrome P450 reductase. Ritonavir may also play a role in limiting cellular transport and efflux of other protease inhibitors via the P-glycoprotein and MRP efflux channels.
Pharmacodynamic
Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor with activity against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). Protease inhibitors block the part of HIV called protease. HIV-1 protease is an enzyme required for the proteolytic cleavage of the viral polyprotein precursors into the individual functional proteins found in infectious HIV-1. Ritonavir binds to the protease active site and inhibits the activity of the enzyme.
This inhibition prevents cleavage of the viral polyproteins resulting in the formation of immature non-infectious viral particles. Protease inhibitors are almost always used in combination with at least two other anti-HIV drugs. Modern protease inhibitors require the use of low-dose ritonavir to boost pharmacokinetic exposure through inhibition of metabolism via the cytochrome enzyme pathway.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: variable, with or without food
Vd: 0.16-0.66 L/kg (high concentrations in serum & lymph nodes)
Protein Bound: 98-99%
Metabolism: Hepatic; five metabolitesHalf-life: 3-5 hr
Peak plasma time: 2 hr (oral solution)
Excretion: Urine (11%); feces (86%)
Dosage
Adult
Not typically used as sole protease inhibitor (PI), but as pharmacokinetic enhancer of other PIs, Indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-infection
300 mg PO q12hr intially; increase by 100 mg q12hr to 600 mg PO q12hr over 5 days as tolerated
Use as booster with another protease inhibitor: 100-400 mg PO qDay or divided q12hr
Pediatric
Age ≥1 month: 250 mg/m² PO q12hr initially; increase by 50 mg/m² q2-3days to 350-400 mg/m² q12hr; not to exceed 600 mg q12hr
Adolescents: 300 mg PO q12hr intially; increase by 100 mg q12hr to 600 mg PO q12hr over 5 days as tolerated
Drug contraindications
hypersensitivity to this drugSide effects
Insomnia , Diarrhea , Headache , nausea , dizziness , vomiting , asthenia , fever , myalgia , anorexia , dysphagia , flatulence , difficulty urinating , Abdominal pain , RashInteractions
Irinotecan , Daunorubicin , Rosuvastatin , Rifapentine , Ranolazine , propoxyphene , Axitinib , Amiodarone , Erythromycin , Everolimus , Itraconazole , Bosentan , Propafenone , Mefloquine , Hydrocodone , Terfenadine , st. john's wort , Tamoxifen , Quinidine , Oxycodone , Ethinyl Estradiol , Quinine , Rivaroxaban , Disulfiram , Daclatasvir , ergotamine , fentanyl , Rifabutin , Voriconazole , Cabergoline , Carbamazepine , Ketoconazole , Clarithromycin , Flecainide , Fluticasone , Lovastatin , Medroxyprogesterone , Midazolam , Nilotinib , Warfarin , Rifampin , Salmeterol , Cimetidine , Sirolimus , Sildenafil , Simvastatin , Pimozide , Tadalafil , Tamsulosin , Tinidazole , Thioridazine , Dihydroergotamine , nevirapine , eletriptan , Zileuton , Afatinib , Eluxadoline , sparfloxacin , brigatinib , Abiraterone , Budesonide , Peginterferon alfa-2b , nasal Mometasone , Canagliflozin , Dienogest , Copanlisib , Simeprevir , Etravirine , Dabrafenib , Netilmicin , Acalabrutinib , Maraviroc , Halofantrine , Grepafloxacin , Fesoterodine , Alfuzosin , Pazopanib , Palbociclib , Ixazomib , Pimavanserin , Tasimelteon , Betrixaban , Dexbrompheniramine , trabectedine , Cefamandole , Duvelisib , elagolix , Flibanserin , Avanafil , Edoxaban , Entrectinib , atovaquone/proguanil , Clorazepate , Levomilnacipran , ELBASVIR/GRAZOPREVIR , Larotrectinib , gilteritinib , glasdegib , Abemaciclib , Triphasic , Eliglustat , Ruxolitinib , riociguat , tolvaptan , Bepridil , Gefitinib , Dasatinib , Cannabidiol , Sarecycline , talazoparib , ambrisentan , vemurafenib , vorapaxar , Macitentan , Dronabinol , voxelotor , sitaxentan , Artesunate , Avapritinib , Fidaxomicin , Capmatinib , NitazoxanideAlerts
Coadministration with sedative-hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloids may result in serious and/or life-threatening adverse events due to ritonavir’s effect on hepatic metabolism
Ritonavir inhibits CYP450 3A; drugs that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A and have high first pass metabolism are most susceptible to increased serum levels when coadministered
Points of recommendation
- High blood sugar has happened with this medicine (ritonavir tablets). This includes diabetes that is new or worse. Talk with the doctor.
- Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
- This medicine may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
- Some people with hemophilia have had times of more bleeding when taking drugs like this one. If you have hemophilia, talk with your doctor.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors. Talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may help the immune system work. If you have an infection that you did not know you had, it may show up when you take this medicine (ritonavir tablets). Tell your doctor right away if you notice any signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath after you start this medicine (ritonavir tablets).
- If giving to your child, the dose of this medicine (ritonavir tablets) may need to be changed as your child's weight changes. Have your child's weight checked often. Talk with the doctor before changing your child's dose.
- Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking this medicine (ritonavir tablets).
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