Ritonavir

(ri TOE na veer)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to ritonavir or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat HIV infection.

How is this drug given?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss giving your child doses.
• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Give this drug with food.
• Have your child swallow tablet whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• Liquid:
• There is a liquid (solution) if your child cannot swallow pills. Mix solution with chocolate milk, Ensure®, or Advera®. Shake well before use.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few months to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Do not run out of this drug.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• If your child has heart disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has hemophilia, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's cholesterol checked before starting this drug.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Do not give St John's wort with this drug. This drug may not work as well.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• High blood sugar may cause diabetes while on this drug. This most often goes back to normal when this drug is stopped.
• High triglyceride level.
• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Belly pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Not hungry.
• Bad taste in your mouth. This most often goes back to normal.
• Change in body fat.
• Irritated pancreas may rarely happen.
• Harm to the liver may rarely happen.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has a fast heartbeat.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very bad belly pain.
• If your child has very loose stools (diarrhea).
• If your child has more trips to the bathroom, more thirst, or weight loss.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Capsule:
• Store capsules in the original container in a refrigerator or at room temperature. If stored at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 1 month.
• Protect from light.
• Liquid:
• Store liquid (solution) in the original container at room temperature. Keep the cap tightly closed. Throw away when the date on the bottle has been reached.
• Tablet:
• Store tablets in the original container at room temperature. Keep the cap tightly closed. Throw away when the date on bottle has been reached. If stored outside of the original container, throw away any part not used after 2 weeks.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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