Kaletra® (lopinavir/ritonavir) tablets for HIV-1 treatment

What Kaletra® Is and How It Works

Kaletra® combines lopinavir and ritonavir. It is a protease inhibitor used with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV‑1. It comes as film‑coated tablets and as an oral solution. Many adults use twice‑daily dosing. Some may use once‑daily dosing when appropriate. People often compare Kaletra price when planning long‑term therapy, including those paying Kaletra without insurance.

Lopinavir blocks the HIV protease enzyme. This stops viral replication and lowers viral load. Ritonavir boosts lopinavir levels by slowing liver metabolism. That helps maintain effective drug levels through the dosing interval. Kaletra® is for ongoing treatment, not for prevention or cure. Regular lab monitoring helps track viral load and CD4 response.

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Therapy choice should reflect resistance history and drug interactions. Kaletra® may be used in combination with NRTIs and other classes. The tablets can be taken with or without food. The oral solution should be taken with food. Always follow the regimen prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Dosage and Usage

• Typical adult dose: 400/100 mg twice daily (two 200/50 mg tablets, twice daily).
• Once‑daily option: 800/200 mg once daily (four 200/50 mg tablets) in select patients.
• Tablets: swallow whole; do not crush, split, or chew.
• Take tablets with or without food. The oral solution is taken with food.
• Use Kaletra® with other antiretroviral agents as part of a complete regimen.

• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Skip if near the next dose. Do not double doses.
• Drug interactions are common due to ritonavir. Review all medicines, supplements, and herbals for CYP3A effects.

• Storage (tablets): store at room temperature in the original container. Protect from moisture.
• Storage (oral solution): refrigerate before dispensing. If needed, store at room temperature for a limited time per labeling.
• Travel: keep medicine in your carry‑on. Carry your prescription label. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Benefits and Savings

Kaletra® helps reduce viral load and increase CD4 counts when used correctly with other agents. Protease‑inhibitor–based regimens have a high barrier to resistance in many settings. Tablets do not require food, which adds flexibility.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can lower costs. Many patients see 60–80% savings compared with typical US retail prices. This can help people who pay without insurance. Reorder reminders and multi‑month supplies can reduce hassle and per‑month costs.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gas.
• Other frequent effects: headache, tiredness, taste changes, rash.
• Metabolic: increased cholesterol and triglycerides, weight gain, hyperglycemia or new‑onset diabetes.
• Liver: elevated enzymes or hepatitis. Risk is higher with hepatitis B or C coinfection.
• Pancreas: pancreatitis can occur, sometimes with high triglycerides.
• Heart: PR interval prolongation and rare AV block. Use caution with underlying conduction disease or with other QT/PR‑prolonging drugs.
• Bleeding: increased bleeding in hemophilia has been reported.
• Immune reconstitution: inflammatory reactions may occur as the immune system improves.
• Fat redistribution: changes in body fat distribution can occur with antiretroviral therapy.

Serious allergic reactions are rare but possible. Report symptoms like severe rash, swelling, or trouble breathing. Kaletra® has many interactions due to ritonavir’s strong CYP3A inhibition. Contraindicated examples include certain sedatives (e.g., triazolam, midazolam oral), ergot derivatives, pimozide, lurasidone, amiodarone, quinidine, lovastatin, simvastatin, rifampin, sildenafil for PAH, and St. John’s wort. Always review the full interaction list with a clinician and pharmacist. Dose changes of other drugs may be required.

Use caution with liver disease. Monitor lipids and glucose. Pregnant patients may require specific dosing schedules. Avoid alcohol with the oral solution due to alcohol content.

Onset Time

Viral load often begins to decline within the first weeks. Most patients see clear reductions by 4–8 weeks, with continued improvement over 12–24 weeks when the full regimen is effective and taken as prescribed. Individual responses vary based on adherence, baseline resistance, and companion drugs.

Compare With Alternatives

Kaletra® is a boosted protease inhibitor regimen. Other PIs, such as darunavir/ritonavir or darunavir/cobicistat, may offer once‑daily dosing and a favorable tolerability profile in many patients. Integrase inhibitor regimens are also common first‑line options today.

Single‑tablet regimens can simplify therapy. For example, Triumeq® (dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine) offers an INSTI‑based option for selected patients who are HLA‑B*5701 negative and appropriate for abacavir. Another once‑daily option is Odefsey® (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide) for patients with specific baseline criteria and meal requirements. Suitability depends on resistance, comorbidities, and interactions.

Discuss goals, pill burden, and lab results with a clinician to select the right regimen.

Combination Therapy

Kaletra® must be used with other antiretrovirals to form a complete regimen. It is often paired with two NRTIs, or with other classes when resistance or intolerance exists. Do not use Kaletra® as monotherapy. Adherence across all agents is key to maintain suppression and reduce resistance risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Kaletra® can suit patients who need a PI‑based regimen and can manage the interaction profile. A history of pancreatitis, advanced liver disease, or significant conduction abnormalities may call for added caution. A generic equivalent (lopinavir/ritonavir) may be available in some markets and can reduce cost.

To lower out‑of‑pocket spend, compare pharmacy options and consider multi‑month fills. You can set up reorder reminders so you do not run short. A Kaletra coupon and current bulk options are listed on our promotions page. People paying Kaletra cost without insurance often benefit from bulk pricing and periodic sales.

For condition context, see our Hiv and Hiv 1 Infection pages. To learn more about safe use, review this article on interactions: Drug Interactions The Top Interactions That Should Be On Your Radar. For community awareness, read National Hiv Testing Day 2025 Get Tested Know Your Status.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Drugs@FDA: Kaletra Prescribing Information and Labeling

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Kaletra

AbbVie Kaletra Prescribing Information (US)

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This information supports, not replaces, the advice of your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the dispensing label for your specific regimen.