Product Description

LOPIMUNE TABLETS 

WHAT THE COMPOSITION FOR LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)?

Each film-coated tablet contains

•  Lopinavir…..200 mg
•  Ritonavir…..50 mg

WHAT IS INDICATION FOR LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)?

Lopimune tablets contain Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg, it is a fixed-dose combination treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in adults over and children over 6 months. Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg are used in combination with other medications that have a different mechanism of action to the components in Lopimune and are used to treat patients with HIV infection who have either already received treatment with other medications for HIV or as first-line therapy for treatment-inexperienced patients.

HOW DOES LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR) WORK?

Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg contain lopinavir and ritonavir, which are both inhibitors of HIV protease and are only effective against RNA viruses (retroviruses) like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Retroviruses convert RNA to DNA, by the action of the viral-specific enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT). The viral DNA is then integrated into the DNA of infected immune cells so that the virus can replicate. Most of the antiviral activity of Lopimune is due to lopinavir, which is a potent inhibitor of HIV protease, and prevents cleavage of the Gag-Pol polyprotein, an important protein in the development of the active virus. The viral protease enzyme cleaves (breaks down) the Gag-Pol polyprotein during the final stages of the replication cycle so that fully active mature viruses can be released to infect new cells. Inhibition of protease cleavage by Lopimune results in the production of immature, non-infectious viral particles. Ritonavir in Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg is included in the combination, not as a protease inhibitor but because it inhibits the CYP3A-mediated metabolism (breakdown in the liver) of lopinavir, thereby increasing the plasma levels of lopinavir so that lopinavir can be used at a lower dose. Lopimune tablets are used in combination with other retroviral that have a different mechanism of action, like emtricitabine and tenofovir, both nucleosides reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that work by blocking the action of RT, inhibiting viral replication. The combined action of lopinavir and ritonavir in Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg, in conjunction with other retroviral drugs, inhibits the production of active HIV so that the viral load (amount of virus) is reduced. Lopimune tablets slow down the replication of HIV within your body but do not kill the virus already incorporated in the CD4+ cells or prevent the spread of the infection to others.

HOW TO USE LOPINAVIR AND RITONAVIR TABLETS (LOPIMUNE TABLETS)?

You should stay under a doctor’s care when taking Lopinavir and Ritonavir tablets. Do not change your treatment or stop treatment without first talking with your doctor. Take this medicine with food to help it work better.

You must take Lopimune tablets every day exactly as your doctor prescribed it. The dose of this medicine may be different for you than for other patients. Be sure to set up a schedule and follow it carefully. When your supply starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to this medicine and become harder to treat. Only take medicine that has been prescribed specifically for you. Do not give this medicine to others or take medicine prescribed for someone else. It is important that you do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible and then take your next scheduled dose at its regular time. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the next dose.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF LOPIMUNE (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg include: mild to moderate diarrhea; increased blood cholesterol and triglycerides, which may be a risk factor for pancreatitis; increased liver enzymes such as gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT); redistribution of body fat from the arms, legs, and face to the abdominal region; inflammation reaction due to immune reconstitution syndrome as the immune system recovers and fights infection caused by residual infection.

WHAT IS CONTRAINDICATION FOR LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)?

• LOPIMUNE is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g. toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, urticaria, angioedema) to any of its ingredients, including ritonavir.
• Co-administration of LOPIMUNE is contraindicated with drugs that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening reactions.
• Co-administration of LOPIMUNE is contraindicated with potent CYP3A inducers were significantly reduced lopinavir plasma concentrations may be associated with the potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance and cross-resistance.

MISSED DOSE OF LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)

If you miss a dose of Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

HOW SHOULD LOPIMUNE LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR) BE STORED?

You should store your Lopimune tablets Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.

WHAT IS EXPERT ADVICE FOR LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)?

• Consult your doctor about taking the ritonavir if you had a history of hepatitis A or B, hemophilia, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, any kind of infection, stiffness or aches or pains in joints, weakness or pain or tenderness in muscles, light-headedness, dizziness, fainting episodes or abnormal heartbeat.
• Ritonavir tablets should always be taken with food.
• Use effective methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy.
• Do not drive or operate machinery as ritonavir can cause dizziness or sleepiness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR LOPIMUNE TABLETS (LOPINAVIR + RITONAVIR)

RITONAVIR

Lopinavir