Kaletra® Oral Solution (lopinavir/ritonavir) for HIV-1 Treatment

What Kaletra Is and How It Works

Kaletra® Oral Solution contains two antiretroviral medicines: lopinavir and ritonavir. It is a protease inhibitor combination used with other HIV-1 medicines. The oral solution is helpful for people who cannot swallow tablets and for pediatric dosing. Many US patients compare Kaletra Oral Solution cost without insurance to Canadian pricing.

Lopinavir blocks the HIV protease enzyme. This stops viral replication. Ritonavir boosts lopinavir levels by slowing its metabolism. Together, they increase antiviral activity. The solution strength is 80 mg/mL lopinavir and 20 mg/mL ritonavir.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba. Our pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing. You can order online, and our friendly customer-service chat is available during posted office hours.

We also work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies abroad to source authentic brand medications at fair prices and a wide selection.

Dosage and Usage

Your prescriber sets the dose based on age, weight, and prior therapy. The oral solution allows flexible dosing and is usually taken with food.

• Shake the bottle well before each dose.
• Measure doses with an oral syringe for accuracy.
• Typical adult dosing often equals 5 mL twice daily with food, but follow your prescriber’s instructions.
• For children, dosing is weight- or body surface area-based.
• Do not change or stop your antiretroviral therapy without your prescriber’s guidance.

Missed dose steps:

• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is close to the next dose.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
• Do not double up to make up for a dose.

Storage and travel tips for the oral solution:

• Refrigerate at 2–8 °C when possible.
• If kept at or below 25 °C (room temperature), use within 2 months.
• Do not freeze. Keep away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed and out of children’s reach. The solution contains alcohol and propylene glycol.
• Use insulated packaging and cold packs during travel when refrigeration is not available.

Benefits and Savings

Kaletra® helps lower HIV-1 viral load and increase CD4 counts when used with a complete regimen. The liquid form supports patients who need a non-tablet option. The concentration allows precise pediatric dosing. Taking with food can support tolerability.

YouDrugstore offers Canadian pricing on brand and generic medicines, reviewed by licensed pharmacists. US customers often see 60–80% savings versus typical US prices, which can be helpful if you are buying Kaletra Oral Solution without insurance. We make ordering simple online, and our support team can help during posted hours.

Side Effects and Safety

All medicines can cause side effects. Many are mild and improve over time. Serious effects are less common but need urgent care.

• Common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, headache, rash, altered taste.
• Metabolic: increased cholesterol and triglycerides, elevated blood sugar.
• Liver: elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis. Risk is higher with underlying liver disease.
• Pancreas: pancreatitis has occurred; symptoms include severe abdominal pain with nausea/vomiting.
• Cardiac: PR interval prolongation; caution in patients with conduction abnormalities.
• Allergic reactions: hives, swelling, breathing trouble require urgent help.

Important safety points:

• Drug interactions are common due to strong CYP3A inhibition. Review all prescriptions, OTC products, and supplements with your prescriber and pharmacist.
• Avoid certain drugs such as rifampin, St. John’s wort, and some antiarrhythmics and sedatives. Some statins are contraindicated.
• The solution contains alcohol and propylene glycol. It is not for premature infants or neonates younger than 14 days.
• Use caution with liver disease. Your provider may order liver tests.
• If new symptoms develop or side effects worsen, seek medical advice promptly.

Onset Time

Kaletra® reaches steady levels within a few days due to ritonavir boosting. Viral load reductions are often seen within 2 to 4 weeks as part of combination therapy. Your provider may check labs at regular intervals to track response.

Compare With Alternatives

Kaletra® Oral Solution versus Kaletra tablets: tablets are swallowable and do not contain alcohol or propylene glycol, while the solution can be easier for patients who cannot swallow pills and allows fine dose adjustments. The solution may require refrigeration and has a stronger taste.

Other protease inhibitor options include darunavir (boosted with ritonavir or cobicistat) and atazanavir (often boosted). Darunavir is widely used in adults and older children and may offer once-daily dosing in select patients. Atazanavir can cause jaundice-like yellowing of the skin or eyes in some patients but may be lipid-friendly.

Non-PI regimens, such as integrase inhibitor-based therapy (for example, dolutegravir or bictegravir combinations), are common first-line choices for many adults. Your prescriber will consider efficacy, resistance, tolerability, dosing, and age-specific needs when selecting therapy.

Combination Therapy

Kaletra® is not used alone. It is part of a complete antiretroviral regimen. It is usually combined with two nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors or other agents per guidelines. Take all prescribed HIV medicines as directed to maintain viral suppression and reduce resistance risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Kaletra® Oral Solution may suit patients who cannot swallow tablets, those needing titration by weight, and select pediatric patients. It may be unsuitable in severe liver disease, in very young infants, or when significant drug interactions exist. Your HIV specialist will decide based on your medical history and lab results.

To manage costs, consider multi-month supplies when appropriate, which can lower the per-month price. You can set simple reorder reminders so you never run out. For current offers and bulk options, see our Kaletra Oral Solution coupon. Savings can be meaningful if you are paying the Kaletra Oral Solution cash price.

Our team ships to the US and supports secure delivery. When temperature control matters, we use prompt, express, cold-chain shipping.

Authoritative Sources

Review the manufacturer’s information on Kaletra from AbbVie’s Prescribing Information. See the Canadian listing via the Health Canada Drug Product Database. For US labeling and safety, consult the FDA label and Medication Guide.

You can order from YouDrugstore with confidence. We are a licensed Canadian pharmacy, and our pharmacists review each prescription before dispensing. We serve US customers with brand medications at Canadian prices and ship using prompt, express, cold-chain shipping when required.

Disclaimer: This content is for general information. It does not replace medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient information that comes with your medicine.