Norvir is for adults who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus which causes AIDS. Norvir is prescribed for use in combination with other antiretroviral medicines. Norvir is an inhibitor of the HIV protease enzyme. It helps control HIV infection by inhibiting or interfering with the protease enzyme that HIV needs to multiply. Norvir is not a cure for HIV infection or AIDS. People taking Norvir may still develop infections or other serious illnesses associated with HIV disease and AIDS. It is important that you take Norvir every day exactly as your doctor prescribed it. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking Norvir without talking to your doctor. Using Norvir as recommended should give you the best chance to delay the development of resistance to the product. Norvir should be taken with a meal. Norvir tablets should be swallowed whole with water and not chewed, broken or crushed. Your doctor may monitor blood levels of fats (lipids), cholesterol and glucose before and during Norvir treatment.

Manufacturer Information

The common side effects of Norvir may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, feeling weak or tired, headache, nausea, vomiting, changes in taste, loss of appetite, dizziness, tingling feeling or numbness in hands, feet or around the lips and rash. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea;
• Headache;
• Nausea;
• Rash;
• Vomiting;
• Tingling feeling in hands, feet and around lips

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Do not take Norvir if you: are allergic to ritonavir or to any of the non-medicinal ingredients in Norvir, are currently taking antifungal medicines, anticonvulsants, medicines affecting immune system, anticoagulants, antihistamines, antibiotics or any of the medicines used to treat: high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, prostate cancer, gout, abnormal thoughts or feelings, certain stomach problems, heart problems, headaches, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, lower blood cholesterol, breast cancer, anxiety and/or trouble sleeping, asthma, erectile dysfunction. Norvir should not be taken with rifampin and saquinavir. Do not take Norvir if you are currently taking medicines containing St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) as this may stop Norvir from working properly.

Before using Norvir, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you: have liver problems or are infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, have diabetes, have hemophilia: patients taking Norvir may have increased bleeding, are taking or planning to take other medicines, including prescription, herbal and other medicines you can buy without a prescription, have heart disease, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pregnant women should not take Norvir unless specifically directed by the doctor, are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. It is recommended that HIV-infected women should not breast-feed their infants because of the possibility the baby could be infected with HIV through breast milk.

Blog Post