Kaletra Information  E-mail

What is Kaletra?


Kaletra is a combination of the two antiviral medications lopinavir and ritonavir.  They belong to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors.  It is used to treat HIV, which is the cause of AIDS.

How does Kaletra Work?


Kaletra is a protease inhibitor that works to block HIV from making copies of itself.  When HIV infects a cell in your body, it copies it’s own genetic code into the cell’s DNA so that the cell is programmed to create copies of the virus.  Protese inhibitors work by cutting up the enzyme that HIV needs to create copies.  Kaletra will not reduce the risk of passing HIV to another person through sexual contact or sharing needles.


Does Kaletra Cure Aids?


Kaletra is not a cure for HIV infection or AIDS.  Patients using Kaletra may still get opportunistic infections (OI’s) or other conditions that happen with HIV infection.  Conditions such as pneumonia, herpes virus, and mycobacterium avium complex infections may occur as HIV infection weakens the immune system.  It is recommended that you see your healthcare provider regularly while taking Kaletra.

Is Kaletra Right For You?


It is recommended that you always consult a healthcare provider to see if Kaletra is right for you.  You should not take Kaletra if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

The active ingredients of Kaletra are lopinavir and ritonavir. 

The inactive ingredients are:

  • Copovidone
  • sorbitan monolaurate
  • colloidal silicon dioxide
  • sodium stearyl fumarate
  • hypromellose
  • titanium dioxide
  • polyethylene glycol 400
  • hydroxypropyl cellulose
  • talc
  • colloidal silicon dioxide
  • polyethylene 3350
  • yellow ferric oxide E172
  • polysorbate 80.

 

What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Professional?


Before taking Kaletra, discuss with your doctor if you have:

  • Liver disease
  • Hepatitis B or C
  • History of pancreatitis
  • High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
  • Diabetes
  • Hemophilia

You may need a modified dosage or special tests during your treatment.  This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby.  Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.  Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed as HIV may be passed to the baby through infected breast milk.

Using Kaletra


You should always take this medication exactly as your doctor instructed you to.  Do not modify your dose or stop taking it without consulting a healthcare professional.  Kaletra capsules or oral liquid should be taken with food to help your body absorb the medicine.  Kaletra tablets can be taken with or without food.  Do not crush or chew Kaletra, swallow the pill or capsule whole.  You may need to get your blood tested on a regular basis to make sure your liver is not being damaged.

It is important not to miss a dose of your medication as that could increase drug resistance, making Kaletra less effective.  If you miss a dose then take that dose right away.  If it is time for your next dose then skipped the missed dose and take the next one.  Do not take both doses.


You can click on the link to see Kaletra Side Effects
 
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