Antabuse and Kaletra

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

The following interaction applies only if you are taking ritonavir products (e.G., Norvir, Kaletra) in a solution formulation: Talk to your doctor before using ritonavir-containing oral solutions together with disulfiram. These ritonavir products are formulated with alcohol, and disulfiram can affect the breakdown of alcohol leading to what is termed a "disulfiram reaction." This condition produces unpleasant side effects such as flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, low blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and confusion. More severe reactions may include heart attack, heart failure, unconsciousness, and convulsions. You should avoid drinking alcohol while you are being treated with disulfiram. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure those products do not contain alcohol. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Ritonavir capsules, ritonavir oral solution, and lopinavir-ritonavir oral solution contain alcohol, which can produce severe reactions when coadministered with disulfiram. The mechanism is inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by disulfiram. Following ingestion of alcohol, inhibition of ALDH results in increased concentration of acetaldehyde, the accumulation of which produces an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death.

MANAGEMENT: Use of ritonavir capsules, ritonavir oral solution, or lopinavir-ritonavir oral solution with disulfiram should be avoided.

Antabuse

Generic Name: disulfiram

Brand name: Antabuse

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Antabuse?

Kaletra

Generic Name: lopinavir / ritonavir

Brand name: Kaletra

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Kaletra?