Emletra Tablet

Emletra tablet contains Ritonavir 50mg and Lopinavir 200mg. Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is an antiviral medicine used in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – 1 infection in adults. Lopinavir acts as a protease inhibitor that interferes with the reproductive cycle of HIV thus reduces the viral load of HIV in your body.  Ritonavir is a potent CYP3A inhibitor that increases plasma medicine concentrations of other protease inhibitors thus mostly used in combination with other protease inhibitors to control and treat HIV-1 infection.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is used to treat adults and children above 14 days of age who are infected by HIV-1. Emletra tablet is a combination of protease inhibitor that interferes with the multiplication of HIV particles and a potent CYP3A inhibitor thus it is used to control and treat HIV-1 infection.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet decreases the amount of HIV virus in your body thus your immunity works better by reducing your chance of getting HIV complications like co-infections and other cancers. Emletra tablet is a combination of protease inhibitor and CYP3 inhibitor that interferes with the reproduction cycle of HIV. Emletra tablet is not a cure for HIV infection, it improves immunity that results in longevity of life. It is not recommended for use in paediatrics less than 14days old due to the increased risk of serious side effects.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is indicated in the treatment of HIV-1 infection that causes AIDS in humans. Emletra tablet is used to boost the immunity of the affected hosts. Emletra tablet is indicated in ages above 14 days.

Emletra tablet contains Ritonavir 50mg and Lopinavir 200mg. Lopinavir is an HIV-1 protease inhibitor. Protease inhibitors are used as a part of highly active antiviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infected patients. Lopinavir prevents HIV replication by binding to this specific enzyme thus selectively inhibits the cleavage of HIV-1 encoded Gag-Pol polyproteins precursors of HIV-1 protease in cells affected by the virus, thereby preventing the formation of mature virus particles into infectious virions that spreads the infection. Ritonavir is a potent CYP3A inhibitor that increases plasma medicine concentrations of other protease inhibitors thus mostly used in combination with other protease inhibitors to control and treat HIV-1 infection. Thus, the combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir is used in treating and controlling the multiplication of the HIV-1 virus in the host and improves immunity.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is an HIV-1 protease inhibitor and a CYP3A inhibitor. It binds to different sites on the enzyme namely the active site and the surface of one of the flexible flaps in the protease dimer. Emletra tablet prevents HIV replication by binding to this specific enzyme thus selectively inhibits the cleavage of HIV-1 encoded Gag-Pol polyproteins in cells affected by the virus, thereby preventing the formation of mature virus particles into infectious virions that spreads the infection and thereby improve the hosts immunity against other infections and cancers.

Absolute contraindications:

• if you are allergic to Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet- toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• if you have severe liver problems like hepatitis B or C
• if you have pancreatitis
• if you have any bleeding disorders like haemophilia

Relative contraindication:

• if you are diabetic
• if you have a lipid disorder like hyperlipidaemia
• if you have heart diseases like prolonged QT syndrome, torse de pontes
• if you are pregnant – this medication lowers the risk of passing HIV infection to the baby
• if you have kidney disease

Very common side effects that occur more than 1:10 patients: diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection

Common side effects that occur 1:10 patients: pancreatitis, vomiting, enlarged abdomen, abdominal pain, indigestion, decreased appetite, oesophageal reflux, increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, weight loss

Uncommon side effects that occur 1:100 patients: abnormal dreams, altered sense of taste, hair loss, atrioventricular block, stroke, constipation, deep vein thrombosis, dry mouth, inability to control your bowels, GI bleed

Rare side effects that occur 1:1000 patients: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme, kidney stones

Is Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet safe during pregnancy?

Yes, taking Emletra tablet during pregnancy is. Consult your physician to weigh in pros and cons.

Can Emletra tablet be taken while breastfeeding?

There is no specific study to detail this. But in general HIV virions can pass via breastfeeding thus it is suspected that antivirals can also pass via breastfeeding.

What is the most common side effect of Emletra tablet?

Diarrhea is the most common side effect caused by Emletra tablet and this can be treated by taking plenty of fluids.

Can I take Emletra tablet with alcohol?

Emletra tablet is not advised to be taken with alcohol. For queries talk to your physician

Can I drive or operate heavy machinery while on Emletra tablet?

It is not advisable to drive or operate heavy machinery while on Emletra tablet. For queries talk to your physician

Alcohol

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet generally causes incoordination in movements and tremors thus it is advised not to be taken with alcohol. For further queries, consult your physician.

Driving or operating machinery

It is preferred to drive or operate heavy machinery with caution as Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet causes incoordination in movements and tremors. For further queries, consult your physician.

Pregnancy

The use of Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is tolerated during pregnancy. Consult your physician to weigh in pros and cons

Breast Feeding

The use of Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet during breastfeeding is not recommended as evidence shows less amount of the medication passes via breastfeeding to the baby that may cause adverse effect in newborn.

Kidney Problem

Renal calculus and renal filtration impairment – monitor function. For further queries, consult your physician.

Liver Disease

In patients with hepatitis B or C is recommended as Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet may cause hepatotoxicity and lead to death. Thus, monitor liver function before and during therapy.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is taken orally with food.

Emletra tablet must be taken at the same time usually once or twice a day as prescribed by your physician.

They must be swallowed whole and not chewed, broken or crushed.

After therapy has been initiated, do not take more or less of Emletra medicine than prescribed or stop taking it without your physicians’ approval. Skipping or changing Emletra dose without approval may cause the amount of the virus to increase making the infection more difficult to treat, or worsen side effects.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet should be swallowed as a whole and must be taken with food.

The recommended dosage is a single tablet taken twice a day orally

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is used in children above 6 months

Should be given only if the child can swallow the tablet as a whole, instead consult your physician to change the medication into oral solution.

The recommended dosage of Emletra tablet is a single tablet taken once a day orally

Emletra tablet must be taken with food.

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet has only been used in few patients 65 years or older. Dosage and usage are similar to adults. Discuss with your physician before usage.

• Drug interactions
• Skin reactions - It can be mild to severe like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Pancreatitis –
• Musculoskeletal problems - Osteonecrosis that causes joint stiffness and pain in larger joints like shoulder, hip, and knee
• New onset diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia
• Accumulation or Redistribution of body fat or immune reconstitution syndrome.
• Hemophilia may develop increased bleeding events.
• Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
• Any sign of infection – fever or lymph node enlargement

If you have any allergy

If you have a liver problem

If you have hypertension or any heart problem

If you have pancreatitis

If you have any bleeding problem

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is taken orally as prescribed dosage at a specific time regularly with food. If Emletra tablet is taken without food the efficiency of the medicine is reduced significantly, thus it is ill advised.

Drug-Drug Interaction

Aceclofenac - severity of nephrotoxicity can be increased thus consult your physician

Adenosine - severity of QTc prolongation can be increased thus consult your physician

Amphotericin B - severity of nephrotoxicity can be increased thus consult your physician

Cocaine - severity of QTc prolongation can be increased thus consult your physician

Timolol - severity of QTc prolongation can be increased thus consult your physician

Drug-Food Interaction

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet can be safely taken with any type of food, if doubts arise kindly refer to your physician. Emletra tablet generally causes blurry vision, fainting, and movement disorders thus it is advised not to be taken with alcohol.

Drug-Disease Interaction

• Liver disorders – used with caution in severe liver diseases. Consult physician before use
• Kidney disorders – used with caution in severe kidney diseases. Consult physician before use
• Cardiac disorders – used with caution in prolonged QT syndrome. Consult physician before use
• Respiratory disorders – used with caution in respiratory distress and asthma. Consult physician before use

Contact your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately.

In children dosage, you can take the missed dosage of Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet if you notice within 6 hours. If it is more than 6 hours, then skip the dosage and take the next doses as usual. You can take the missed dosage of Emletra tablet if you notice within 12 hours. If it is more than 12 hours, then skip the dosage and take the next doses as usual. Don’t take a double dose for a forgotten dose. Always take Emletra tablet with food

Keep the medication out of children’s reach

Keep the medication away from pets

Once expired dispose immediately

Store at 30?C

Emletra (Ritonavir (50mg) + Lopinavir (200mg)) tablet is a protease inhibitor and a CYP3A inhibitor

Do not use this medication while pregnant and lactation period without physicians consult.

Don’t use this medication with liver disease and cardiac disorder without physicians consult.

This medication doesn’t stop the spread of HIV infection from person to person thus use caution and precaution while sexual contact, needle injury etc.