Last reviewed · How we verify
Ritonavir (heat-stable)
Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor that blocks HIV protease, preventing the cleavage of viral polyproteins and maturation of infectious HIV particles.
Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor that blocks HIV protease, preventing the cleavage of viral polyproteins and maturation of infectious HIV particles. Used for HIV-1 infection (in combination with other antiretroviral agents), Pharmacokinetic booster for other protease inhibitors.
At a glance
| Generic name | Ritonavir (heat-stable) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Norvir |
| Sponsor | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Drug class | HIV protease inhibitor |
| Target | HIV protease |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Ritonavir binds to and inhibits HIV protease, an enzyme essential for processing viral precursor proteins into functional structural and enzymatic proteins. This prevents the formation of mature, infectious viral particles. The heat-stable formulation improves stability and reduces refrigeration requirements compared to earlier liquid formulations.
Approved indications
- HIV-1 infection (in combination with other antiretroviral agents)
- Pharmacokinetic booster for other protease inhibitors
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
- Taste perversion
- Hepatotoxicity
- Lipid abnormalities (elevated triglycerides and cholesterol)
- Hyperglycemia
Key clinical trials
- A Trial of 2 Options for Second Line Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Following Virological Failure of a Standard Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI)+2N(t)RTI First Line Regimen (PHASE4)
- A Phase II/III Trial of Lopinavir/Ritonavir Dosed According to the WHO Pediatric Weight Band Dosing Guidelines (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Pediatric Study for Appropriate Dose of Ritonavir Boosted Lopinavir in Thai HIV-infected Children (PEARL) (PHASE3)
- Atazanavir/Ritonavir, Once Daily + Raltegravir, Twice Daily, Switch Study in HIV-1-Infected Patients (PHASE4)
- Pharmacokinetics of Lopinavir/Ritonavir at Three Different Doses. (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Ritonavir (heat-stable) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Ritonavir (heat-stable) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Bristol-Myers Squibb portfolio CI