Lopinavir/ritonavir: a protease inhibitor for HIV-1 treatment.
BACKGROUND
Lopinavir is a protease inhibitor with high specificity for HIV-1 protease formulated with ritonavir. Numerous clinical trials have shown that lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) is highly effective as a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens for HIV-1 infection.


OBJECTIVE
In this article we provide an overview of the properties of LPV/r and the experience with its use in HIV-infected adults and adolescents.


METHODS
We reviewed the literature and selected the most important published articles on LPV/r and the latest posters/communications presented in conferences, with particular attention to the clinical efficacy and tolerability of LPV/r in HIV-1 infected patients.


CONCLUSIONS
LPV/r is highly effective as a component of HAART regimens for HIV-1 infection. There is considerable experience with the drug in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients. In general, LPV/r is well tolerated and its high genetic barrier to resistance favours long-term efficacy.
Barragan
Patricia
P
Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain. pbarragan@csub.scs.es
Podzamczer
Daniel
D
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D061466:Lopinavir; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D019438:Ritonavir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D061466:Lopinavir; D019438:Ritonavir