What it means
A protease inhibitor that blocks an enzyme HIV needs to build new virus particles. It also strongly slows the liver enzyme that breaks down many drugs, so in small doses it is added as a "booster" to raise the levels of other HIV drugs and of nirmatrelvir in the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid. Because of this, it interacts with a very long list of medicines. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, taste changes and raised blood fats.
For the nurse
Check every one of the client's drugs, including over-the-counter and herbal products such as St. John's wort, with the pharmacist before it is started. Give with food.
At a glance
| Drug class | antiretroviral (protease inhibitor); pharmacokinetic booster |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Norvir |
| Spanish | ritonavir |
| Also written | Norvir |
Easy to confuse with
zidovudine
An antiretroviral drug used with other HIV drugs, and to lower the chance of HIV passing from a pregnant person to the baby.
Related terms
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: the virus that causes COVID-19.
zidovudine
An antiretroviral drug used with other HIV drugs, and to lower the chance of HIV passing from a pregnant person to the baby.
CD4 count
A blood test that counts CD4 T cells, the white blood cells that HIV infects and destroys.