Norvir Dosage: An Introduction
The dose of
Norvir® (
ritonavir) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Your height and weight (for children)
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
The recommended dose of Norvir for treating adults with
HIV or
AIDS is 600 mg twice daily. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you start at a lower dosage (Norvir 300 mg twice daily) and slowly increase the dose to prevent
Norvir side effects.
When used to "boost" other HIV medications to increase their blood levels and make them more effective, a lower dose is often used.
Norvir Dosage for Children
Your child's healthcare provider will determine the Norvir dose based on your child's body surface area (which is calculated using your child's height and weight). Be sure the healthcare provider increases the dose as your child grows.
General Information on Dosing With Norvir
Considerations for people taking Norvir include the following:
- The medication comes in both capsule and oral solution (liquid) form. It is usually taken by mouth twice a day.
- Norvir should be taken with food.
- The taste of Norvir solution can be improved by mixing it with chocolate milk, Ensure®, or Advera®. Be sure to drink the mixture within one hour of mixing it.
- Try to take Norvir at the same times every day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is very important that you closely follow your healthcare provider's instructions about taking Norvir. Missing doses can increase the chance of the virus developing resistance to the medication, thereby making it less effective.
- If you are unsure about anything related to your Norvir dosage, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
