Drug Interaction Report

Using ritonavir and tipranavir can cause serious side effects that may affect your liver. Call your doctor immediately if you experience a fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, excessive tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Ask your doctor before using lopinavir together with tipranavir. Using these medications together may cause lopinavir to be less effective. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Ritonavir should be taken with food to lessen gastrointestinal side effects. It is important that you take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your treatment or stop treatment without first talking to your doctor.

Food may affect the absorption of lopinavir-ritonavir (brand name Kaletra) depending on whether you are taking the oral solution or the tablet. The oral solution should be taken with food to enhance absorption and help it work better. The tablet formulation can be take with or without food. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Tipranavir should be taken with food. This helps to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of ritonavir, which you must also take with tipranavir in order to achieve effective blood levels of the medication against HIV. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use these medications properly.

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'protease inhibitors' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'protease inhibitors' category:

• lopinavir / ritonavir
• tipranavir

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.