Key facts about Norvir
What is Norvir?
Norvir is the brand name for ritonavir and is available as an oral tablet.
What dosages is Norvir available in?
Norvir is available as a 100 mg tablet.
What is Norvir used for?
Norvir is a protease inhibitor and is used to treat HIV infection (taken with other antiretroviral medications).
How does Norvir work?
Norvir is a protease inhibitor, which means it blocks a protein called protease. Normally, protease helps to process viral proteins so that the HIV virus can infect healthy cells. By blocking protease from working, Norvir prevents the virus from making copies of itself and spreading. In addition, Norvir can slow the breakdown of other HIV ARVs. This “boosts” the levels of the other HIV ARVs, which helps them to work better to fight the infection. Norvir is most commonly used as a “booster” of other HIV medications.
How do I take Norvir?
Norvir is typically started at 300 mg by mouth twice daily with food in adults. Your provider will raise your dose over time, typically to the recommended dose of 600 mg twice daily.
For childre, their provider will determine their dose based on body surface area (BSA), which is your child’s body size calculated based on weight and height. The typical dose ranges from 50 mg by mouth twice daily to 600 mg twice daily, depending on BSA.
Is it safe for me to take Norvir?
Norvir is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have:
- A known hypersensitivity to ritonavir (e.g., toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) or any of its ingredients
- Co-administration with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations may be associated with serious and/or life-threatening events
- Co-administration with drugs that significantly reduce ritonavir
Norvir Common Side Effects
- Common side effects of Norvir:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Pins and needles sensation
- Feeling weak or tired
- High cholesterol levels
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Belly pain
- Coughing
- Back and joint pain
- Throat pain
- Feeling dizzy
- Changes in taste
- Flushing
- Indigestion
- Itching
- Nerve pain
Norvir Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Norvir. 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
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Norvir
The following medications may interact with Norvir:
- Co-administration of Norvir can alter the concentrations of other drugs. The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy
Who makes Norvir?
AbbVie Inc.
Is Norvir safe in pregnancy?
It is not known if Norvir will harm your unborn baby. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you are pregnant. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Norvir during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1–800–258–4263.













