Drug Interaction Report

Ritonavir may increase the blood levels of paricalcitol. Contact your doctor if you experience increased side effects or if your condition worsens. Blood calcium and phosphorous levels should be monitored. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test 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 may increase the blood levels and effects of tenofovir. This can increase the risk of side effects including serious ones like kidney or liver damage and a condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of these conditions. Symptoms of kidney damage may include swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain in your lower back, and urinating more or less than usual or not at all. Symptoms of liver damage may include fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include fatigue, unusual muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, and a fast or irregular heartbeat. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor 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.

Lopinavir may increase the blood levels and effects of tenofovir. This can increase the risk of side effects including serious ones like kidney or liver damage and a condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of these conditions. Symptoms of kidney damage may include swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain in your lower back, and urinating more or less than usual or not at all. Symptoms of liver damage may include fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include fatigue, unusual muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, and a fast or irregular heartbeat. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor 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.

Treatment with paricalcitol may require you to adjust your dietary intake of foods which contain natural or added calcium, phosphate (organic and inorganic), and vitamin D. Ingesting too much vitamin D or having elevated calcium and/or phosphorus levels in the blood and urine can lead to toxic effects, such as having an irregular heart rhythm, seizures, kidney stones, and eventual calcification of your blood vessels, cornea and/or the soft tissues in your body. Your doctor will monitor the levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood during treatment with paricalcitol. Please speak with your healthcare team to determine if you require a specialized diet, particularly if you have reduced kidney function, and to discuss any other questions or concerns you have. You may require additional monitoring or a dose adjustment of paricalcitol if your diet changes. Fortified foods will state on their labeling how much calcium, phosphate, and/or vitamin D has been added. The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements also provides information on which foods contain calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. You should avoid abrupt changes in your dietary calcium intake and seek medical attention if you experience early symptoms of vitamin D intoxication such as weakness, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, metallic taste, muscle pain, bone pain, muscle incoordination, and low muscle tone. Late symptoms may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), light sensitivity, runny nose, itching, increased body temperature, and irregular heart rhythm. 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.

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.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.