Norvir (Ritonavir)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Norvir Used For?
Norvir contains the active ingredient ritonavir and is specifically designed to treat HIV infection, the virus that causes AIDS.
Primary Uses
Norvir is used to treat HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. It must be taken with other medicines as part of combination therapy to effectively treat HIV infection.
How It Works
Norvir works as part of combination HIV therapy to help control the virus in your body.
Important: Norvir needs to be taken with other medicines to treat HIV infection – it is not used alone.
How to Take Norvir
Your doctor will determine the exact combination of medicines you need and provide specific instructions on how to take them, when to take them, and for how long.
Dosage Instructions
Take one to two tablets daily as advised by your doctor. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole with a full glass of water. It’s important to take Norvir at the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose and it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed tablets and take your next dose at the usual time. It’s important that you take Norvir at the same time each day.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhea
- feeling sick or vomiting
- heartburn
- loss of appetite
- change in how certain foods taste
- dry mouth
- mouth ulcer
- tummy pain
- indigestion
- wind
- headache
- feeling dizzy
- difficulty sleeping
- rash
- tingling, prickling or numbness on the skin
- feeling weak or tired
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- symptoms of a build-up of lactic acid in the body (nausea, vomiting, tummy pain, difficulty breathing, severe weakness in legs and arms)
- symptoms of diabetes (feeling thirsty, needing to pass urine frequently, blurred vision, sudden loss of weight)
- symptoms of an infection (fever, chills, cold or flu, teeth or gum problems, pain when passing urine, blood in urine)
- stiffness, aches and pains in joints (especially hip, knee or shoulder), difficulty moving
- yellowing of skin or eyes
- sharp pain in side or back, burning when passing urine, blood in urine
- sudden, intense skin reaction
- symptoms of very high sugar levels (headache, blurred vision, confusion, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, tummy pain)
- symptoms of severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts, hives, rash or itching)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Norvir may not be suitable or requires special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Norvir
Do not take Norvir if you are allergic to ritonavir or any of the ingredients listed. Norvir is not suitable for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have diabetes, liver problems, heart problems (such as irregular heart beats), high cholesterol or high triglycerides, pancreas problems, haemophilia (a bleeding disorder), or if you take any medicines for any other condition.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Make sure your doctor is aware that you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Call your doctor straight away if you become pregnant while taking Norvir.
Emergency: Go to your nearest hospital if you experience a sudden, intense skin reaction, symptoms of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips or tongue, hives, rash or itching), or very high sugar levels in the blood.
Drug Interactions
Norvir has many significant drug interactions. Some medicines may interfere with Norvir and affect how it works, while Norvir may affect how other medicines work.
Critical: Do not take Norvir with the medicines listed above as they can cause serious interactions. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- alfuzosin (prostate medicine)
- ranolazine (angina medicine)
- amiodarone, flecainide, propafenone (heart rhythm medicines)
- bepridil (heart medicine)
- dronedarone, quinidine (heart condition medicines)
- fusidic acid (antibiotic)
- neratinib (breast cancer medicine)
- apalutamide (prostate cancer medicine)
- venetoclax (blood cancer medicine)
- voriconazole (antifungal medicine)
- colchicine (gout medicine)
- astemizole, terfenadine (antihistamines)
- rifabutin (antibiotic)
- blonanserin, clozapine, lurasidone, pimozide (mental health medicines)
- dihydroergotamine, ergometrine, ergotamine, methylergometrine (migraine medicines)
- cisapride (reflux medicine)
- St John’s wort (herbal mood product)
- lovastatin, simvastatin, lomitapide (cholesterol medicines)
- salmeterol (severe lung condition medicine)
- sildenafil (for lung blood pressure)
- pethidine (pain medicine)
- dextropropoxyphene (pain medicine)
- clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam, midazolam, triazolam, zolpidem (sleep medicines)
Alcohol & Driving
There is limited specific information about the effects of Norvir on driving ability or alcohol interactions, but caution is advised.
Alcohol
There is no information on the effects of taking Norvir with alcohol. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
There is no specific information on the effect of Norvir on your ability to drive or use machines. Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Norvir affects you.
Storage
Store Norvir in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep Norvir in the bottle until it is time to take your dose. Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Norvir, you should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there appear to be no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norvir works as part of combination HIV therapy. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular blood tests to see how well the treatment is working.
The medication guide doesn’t specify food requirements. Follow your doctor’s instructions and ask them about taking Norvir with or without food.
Do not stop taking Norvir or change the dose unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping HIV medication suddenly can be dangerous and may lead to drug resistance.
There is no information provided about the effects of taking Norvir with alcohol. You should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
If you miss your dose and it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed tablets and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Yes, keep all your appointments, including for blood tests. Some side effects are picked up in blood tests even before you have any symptoms. Tell the clinic you are taking Norvir when having blood tests.
No, Norvir needs to be taken with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Your doctor will determine which combination of medicines you need and provide specific instructions.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.