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Ritonavir

An HIV protease inhibitor used with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV-1 infection.

Clinical information

Common uses

  • HIV-1 infection (with other antiretrovirals)
  • oral powder for children with HIV-1

Common side effects

  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick and vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • tingling sensations
  • tiredness or rash

Cautions

  • dangerous interactions with many medicines — always check first (boxed warning)
  • liver damage, sometimes fatal, can occur
  • pancreatitis can occur
  • can raise cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar

Interactions

  • amiodarone, ergot medicines, simvastatin, triazolam, oral midazolam — contraindicated
  • St John's wort — must not be used
  • rivaroxaban (blood thinner) — avoid, bleeding risk
  • warfarin (blood thinner) — monitor INR
  • quetiapine and some antipsychotics — dose changes needed
  • rifampin (TB antibiotic) — may cause loss of HIV control

Pregnancy: no increased rate of birth defects reported

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, ritonavir (Norvir) label, setid 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations3

Brand nameDosage formStrengthImporterCategory
RitonavirOral Liquid400mg/5mlrestricted
RitonavirTablet100mgrestricted
RitonavirTablet25mgrestricted
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