Lopinavir and Ritonavir Dosing (Cont.)

Lopinavir and Ritonavir Dosing for Children

Your child's healthcare provider will calculate the lopinavir and ritonavir dose using your child's weight or body surface area (a calculation that takes into account both height and weight). In all cases, for children and adolescents (under the age of 18 years old), lopinavir and ritonavir should be given twice a day (not once a day, as is sometimes done in adults). If your child takes lopinavir and ritonavir with certain other HIV medications, a higher-than-usual dose may be recommended.
 
The oral solution of lopinavir and ritonavir may be especially useful for children, as many children cannot swallow tablets. Also, unlike the tablets, the solution allows for many different doses and can easily be adjusted as your child grows.
  

General Information on Dosing With Lopinavir and Ritonavir

Considerations for people taking lopinavir and ritonavir include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet and oral solution (liquid) form. It is usually taken by mouth once or twice daily.
     
  • You can take lopinavir and ritonavir tablets with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food. Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution must always be taken with food.
     
  • Do not break, chew, or crush lopinavir and ritonavir tablets.
     
  • Try to take lopinavir and ritonavir at the same time(s) every day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is very important that you closely follow your healthcare provider's instructions about taking lopinavir and ritonavir. Missing doses can increase the chance of the virus developing resistance to the drug, thereby making it less effective.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your lopinavir and ritonavir dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;