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Kaletra Coupon - Kaletra 160ml of 80mg/20mg/ml bottle of oral solution

lopinavir / ritonavir

Generic Kaletra
Used for HIV Treatment

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) is a combination medication that's used as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. This medication comes in two different formulations (oral solution and tablets), both of which are taken by mouth. The dosage for Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) depends on your age, the other medications that you're taking (including other medications for HIV), and your other health conditions. Some common side effects include diarrhea and nausea.

Reviewed by:Last reviewed on September 12, 2023
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What is Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)?

What is Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) used for?

How Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) works

Kaletra is a combination of two medications: lopinavir and ritonavir. They're both protease inhibitors. They block a protein called protease from processing viral proteins that allow HIV to infect healthy cells. By blocking protease from working, Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) prevents HIV from making copies of itself and spreading.

At low doses, such as in Kaletra, ritonavir helps slow the breakdown of lopinavir in the body. This "boosts" the levels of lopinavir in the body, which helps it work better and longer to fight the infection.

Drug facts

Common Brands
Drug ClassHIV ARV
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Adults:

  • Diarrhea (20%)
  • Respiratory tract infection (8-14%)
  • Nausea (10%)
  • Feeling weak (8%)
  • High cholesterol levels (7%)
  • Vomiting (7%)
  • Belly pain (6%)
  • Muscle, joint, or back pain (6%)
  • Headache or migraine (6%)

Children:

  • Changes in taste (21%)
  • Vomiting (21%)
  • Diarrhea (12%)

Less Common Side Effects

Adults:

  • Stomach flu
  • Indigestion
  • Acid reflux
  • Gassy
  • Constipation
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Nerve pain (tingling or prickling in arms or legs)
  • Dizziness
  • Anxiety
  • Night sweats
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Skin infection
  • Changes in weight
  • Changes in appetite
  • High blood pressure
  • Erectile dysfunction (in males)
  • Irregular periods (in females)

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Severe allergic reactions: facial swelling, hives, rash, itchy skin, blistering or peeling of skin, body aches, trouble breathing
  • Serious liver problems: nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool
  • Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, trouble breathing, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded

Source: DailyMed

The following Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Bloating

blurred vision

chills

constipation

darkened urine

dry mouth

fast heartbeat

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

loss of appetite

loss of consciousness

nausea

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly moving to the back

sweating

troubled breathing

unexplained weight loss

vomiting

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chest pain or discomfort

cough

diarrhea

itching

joint or muscle pain

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

slow or irregular heartbeat

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Agitation

confusion

cool, sweaty skin

decreased appetite

decreased awareness or responsiveness

decreased urine output

depression

fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat

fast, shallow breathing

general feeling of discomfort

headache

hostility

irritability

muscle pain or cramping

muscle twitching

pounding, slow heartbeat

rapid weight gain

seizures

severe sleepiness

stomach discomfort

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

swelling of the feet or lower legs

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Abnormal stools

belching

heartburn

lack or loss of strength

pain

skin rash

trouble with sleeping

Incidence not known

Redistribution of body fat

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)

Pros

  • Can use in young children aged 2 weeks or older
  • Can take once or twice daily, depending on your medical history
  • Tablets can be taken with or without food
  • Available in a liquid form for people who have difficulty swallowing pills

Cons

  • Requires regular blood work and lab tests
  • Might need to take up to 4 tablets for one dose
  • Might raise blood sugar, body fat, and cholesterol levels
  • Interacts with a lot of medications (e.g., statins, heart rhythm medications, erectile dysfunction medications)
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Pharmacist tips for Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)

pharmacist
  • Because Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) is taken along with other HIV medications, it can be hard to keep track of your medications. Follow your treatment plan exactly as instructed by your provider so that your HIV medications work as well as they can. Don't stop any HIV medications, including Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir), without speaking to your provider first. Doing so can cause the virus to become harder to treat.
  • Some tips to help keep track of your HIV medications include creating a medication list that has detailed directions and using an app on your phone to remind you when it's time to take your medications or order refills.
  • Get your routine blood tests done on time while you’re taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). Lab work is important to make sure that the medication works against the virus and that it isn't causing unwanted effects.
  • If you take Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) once a day and you experience diarrhea, let your provider know. They might switch you to the twice-daily dosage to lower your risk of diarrhea.
  • Let your provider or pharmacist know what medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can interact with many medications. These interactions can affect how well your medications work or raise your risk for side effects. Your providers will make sure your medications are safe for you.
  • Your blood sugar levels might go up while you're taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). Talk to your provider to see whether you need additional medications to help control your sugar levels. If you have diabetes, it's important that you check your blood sugar while taking this medication and tell your provider if they're higher than usual.
  • Since Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can raise your cholesterol levels, talk to your provider about whether you need to take additional medications for high cholesterol. It's important to manage your cholesterol levels because high cholesterol can raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Tips for taking [Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) tablets:

  • You can take Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) with or without food.
  • Keep Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) tablets in the original container and close it tightly, especially if you live somewhere where the weather is humid. Take any tablets that you place outside of the original container (like in a weekly pillbox) within 2 weeks.

Tips for taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) oral solution:

  • Keep the Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) oral solution in its original container and in the refrigerator. If it's stored at room temperature, make sure to use this medication within 2 months, then throw the rest away.
  • Make sure to use the dosing cup that's provided to measure and take your dose. Don't use household spoons because they might not hive you the correct dose.
  • Take the Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) oral solution with food. This helps the medication work better to fight against HIV.
  • Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) oral solution contains alcohol. It's not a good option if you're pregnant, if you use certain feeding tubes to take the medication, and if you can't drink alcohol.
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Common questions about Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)

Kaletra is a combination of two medications: lopinavir and ritonavir. Both medications are protease inhibitors — they block protease, a protein that normally helps HIV make copies of itself and spread. At low doses like in Kaletra, ritonavir is used more to "boost" the effect of lopinavir than to directly fight against HIV. Low-dose ritonavir slows the breakdown of lopinavir in the body. This allows lopinavir to stay in your body longer at higher levels so that it can work better.

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can be used for PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis (prevention), but it's not the preferred option for adults or children 2 years and older. PEP is a combination of HIV medications that's taken by people who might've been exposed to HIV during sex, through sharing needles, or some other way. According to the CDC guidelines, Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) with lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir) is an alternative PEP regimen for children 2 to 12 years old, but is the preferred PEP regimen for children 4 weeks to 2 years old. Remember that you'll need to take these medications within 3 days of exposure to greatly lower the risk of HIV infection. Talk to your provider about the right PEP option for you or your child.

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) tablets don't need to be refrigerated; you should store the tablets at room temperature in a tight container. On the other hand, the Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) oral solution should be stored in a refrigerator until the expiration date printed on the label. If you leave out the oral solution and it reaches room temperature, make sure to use the medication up within 2 months, then throw it away. Consider writing the new expiration date on the bottle so you remember to throw it out.

Tell your provider if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant so they can discuss whether you should take Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). In general, clinical guidelines recommend that pregnant people with HIV start treatment as soon as possible to lower the risk of transferring the virus to the unborn baby. Studies suggest that Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) tablets aren't likely to cause harm in pregnancy. If you're pregnant and you're taking the tablets, twice-daily dosing is recommended over once-daily dosing. On the other hand, the oral solution can cause harm because it contains alcohol. If you're taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) during pregnancy, you’re encouraged to enroll in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) to help researchers collect information about your and your baby’s health during treatment. Learn more about this registry by calling 1-800-258-4263.

The CDC recommends that you avoid breastfeeding if you have HIV. Doing so can raise the risk of spreading the infection to your baby or worsen their HIV infection. We also don't know whether Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can cause side effects in the breastfed baby, but it's possible that it can. Speak to your provider so you can discuss the benefits and risks of taking this medication while breastfeeding.

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Risks and warnings for Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Interactions with other medications

Some medications can interfere with how well your body gets rid of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) from your system. This can affect the amount of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) in your body, how well it works, and the risk of side effects.

Taking certain medications can lower the amount of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) in your body and make the HIV medication work less well. Examples of medications that you should avoid include the supplement St. John's wort and the tuberculosis medication rifampin (Rifadin) to help the HIV medication work the best it can.

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can also affect how your body gets rid of other medications. This can raise the levels of these medications in the body and raise your risk for side effects. For example, taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) with alfuzosin (Uroxatral) can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. In addition, taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) with certain statins can raise your risk for serious muscle problems.

Because of the potential for serious interactions with Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) and various medications, tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you take or plan to take. They can make sure your medications are safe to take together.

Pancreas problems

  • Risk factors: High triglycerides (fats) levels in the blood | Advanced HIV | Previous case of pancreatitis

Though rare, few people who took Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) reported having an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis). You're at risk for this pancreas problem if you have too much triglycerides (fats) in your blood, have advanced HIV, or have had pancreatitis before. Tell your provider if you experience symptoms of an inflamed pancreas, such as pain in the upper stomach, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Liver problems

  • Risk factors: Hepatitis B or C | History of liver problems

Some people taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) have had liver problems, which were sometimes life-threatening. Liver problems can happen as early as 7 days after you've first started the medication, but it can also happen after several months of treatment. Your provider will order blood tests for you before and during treatment so they can make sure Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) is safe for your liver. Let your provider know if you experience signs and symptoms of liver damage, such as sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite, light-colored stool, upper right stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine.

Heart rhythm problems

  • Risk factors: History of heart problems | Taking medications that affect heart rhythm | Low potassium levels

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can sometimes affect your heart rhythm, which can be serious and life-threatening. Your risk is higher if you have certain conditions, including electrolyte levels that are out of balance and heart rhythm problems. Your risk might also be higher if you're taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems, such as digoxin (Lanoxin) and beta-blockers, among others. Get medical attention right away if you feel your chest pounding, have trouble breathing, have chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while you're taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir).

High blood sugar

  • Risk factor: Taking protease inhibitor medications

Some people taking protease inhibitor medications like Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) developed higher blood sugar levels, which has led to or worsened diabetes. In some cases, people needed to start taking a new medication or their current diabetes treatment plan needed changes to help keep blood sugar under control. If you have a history of diabetes, let your provider know before starting Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). Your provider might ask you to check your blood sugar at home to make sure this medication is safe for you.

Overactive immune system

Taking combination ARV therapy, such as Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) with other HIV medications, can cause changes to your immune system called immune reconstitution syndrome. This condition happens when your immune system becomes overly active after you start combination therapy. Your immune system begins to fight off different infections that it was too weak to fight off before you started treatment. In rare cases, your immune response might improve so much with treatment that it starts to attack normal cells in your body (autoimmune). You can develop immune reconstitution syndrome at any time during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms, such as fever, pain, hair loss, bulging eyes, or sweating, after starting Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir).

Higher cholesterol levels

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) can raise the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in your blood, which can put you at higher risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your provider will check your blood work before and during treatment to keep track of your levels. If your cholesterol levels are too high, your might need to take medications to help keep them under control. Keep in mind that you should avoid taking certain cholesterol medications, such as lovastatin and simvastatin (Zocor), with Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) because of the risk of serious muscle damage. Your provider will be sure to prescribe cholesterol medications that are safe to take with Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir).

Changes in body fat

Rarely, people taking HIV medications such as Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) have experienced changes in body fat. These changes include fat buildup in the back of the neck, in the breast, and around the middle of the body. Some people also lost fat from the legs, arms, and face. It's not clear whether Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) causes these changes to body fat, why this happens, and whether it will affect your health in the future. Let your provider know if these changes occur while you're taking Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir).

Risk of bleeding in people with a genetic bleeding problem called hemophilia

  • Risk factor: History of bleeding problems

Some people with a bleeding condition called hemophilia have had more bleeding after starting protease inhibitors like Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). In about half of reported cases, people continued taking their protease inhibitor medication after the bleeding stopped. Let your provider know if you notice sudden bleeding or have bleeding that's difficult to stop.

Potential harm to premature newborns (oral solution only)

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) oral solution contains ethanol and propylene glycol, which are typically safe for children and adults. But premature newborns are at high risk for possibly life-threatening propylene glycol side effects because they can't process these ingredients well. For this reason, premature newborns shouldn't be given the oral solution in the days just following birth, unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Get medical help right away if your baby has trouble breathing, isn't feeding well, or is vomiting.

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Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) dosage

The average cost for 120 tablets of 200mg/50mg of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) is $251.28 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 77.28% off the average retail price of $1,105.98.
bottle of oral solutionBottle of oral solution
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
160ml of 80mg/20mg/ml1 bottle$88.33$88.33
tabletTablet
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
200mg/50mg120 tablets$251.28$2.09
100mg/25mg240 tablets$175.89$0.73

Typical dosage for Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)

Your dose can vary depending on your age, your health conditions, and your other medications (including other HIV medications). In general, Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) is taken by mouth either once daily or twice daily.

Adults

  • Once-daily dosing: The typical dose is 800 mg/200 mg (lopinavir/ritonavir) by mouth once daily.
  • Twice-daily dosing: The typical dose is 400 mg/100 mg (lopinavir/ritonavir) by mouth twice daily.

Children 2 weeks to 17 years of age

  • Your child's provider will determine their dose based on either their body weight or their body surface area (BSA). BSA is your child's body size calculated based on weight and height.
  • Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) is typically taken by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 400 mg/100 mg (lopinavir/ritonavir) twice daily.
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Interactions between Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) and other drugs

Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir) will not be safe for you to take.

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What are alternatives to Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Kaletra (lopinavir / ritonavir)
Used for:
$88.33Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Evotaz (atazanavir / cobicistat)
Used for:
  • Treatment of HIV
$1,567.15Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Prezcobix (darunavir / cobicistat)
Used for:
  • Treatment of HIV infection in adults and children weighing at least 88 pounds
$2,404.58Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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This medicine is Yellow, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "La58".Yellow Oval La58 - Lopinavir/Ritonavir 200mg-50mg Tablet

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