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Norvir

Ritonavir, with trade name Norvir®, is an antiretroviral drug from the protease inhibitor class used to treat HIV infection and AIDS. more...

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Ritonavir is frequently prescribed as the protease inhibitor component in HAART because it inhibits the same host enzyme that metabolizes NRTIs and NNRTIs. This inhibition leads to higher plasma concentrations of these latter drugs, allowing the clinician to lower their dose and frequency.

History

Ritanovir is manufactured as Norvir® by Abbott Laboratories. Research that led to the drug's development was financed in part by a $3,500,000 federal grant through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ritanovir on March 1, 1996, making it the seventh approved antiretroviral drug in the United States.

In 2003, Abbott raised the price of a Norvir course from USD $1.71 per day to $8.57 per day, leading to claims of price gouging by patients' groups and some members of Congress. Consumer group Essential Inventions petitioned the NIH to override the Norvir patent, but the NIH announced on August 4, 2004 that it would not invoke its legal right to allow generic production of Norvir, citing potential adverse effects on the pharmaceutical market.

Method of action

Ritanovir is exceptional as the only antiretroviral drug that inhibits a liver enzyme that normally metabolizes away protease inhibitors, Cytochrome P450-3A4 (CYP3A4). The drug's molecular structure inhibits CYP3A4, so a low dose can be used to enhance any other protease inhibitors. This effect does come with a price: it also affects the strength of numerous other medications, making it difficult to know how to administer them concurrently. In addition it can cause a large number of side-effects on its own. It is now rarely used for its own antiviral activity but remains widely used as a booster to other protease inhibitors.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Abbott Laboratories increases Norvir price fivefold
In an entirely unexpected move on December 4, 2003, Abbott Laboratories increased the U.S. wholesale price of its 100-mg capsules of ritonavir (Norvir[R]), ...
Abbott plans for Norvir® capsule shortage
Experiencing manufacturing difficulties with the capsule formulation of its protease inhibitor Norvir
RITONAVIR - Norvir
Ritonavir soft-gelatin capsules are white and imprinted with the Abbott corporate logo on one side. Ritonavir is also available in a liquid formulation.
Abbott gets FDA approval for reformulated Norvir capsule - Brief Article
Abbott Laboratories has received FDA approval for Norvir (ritonavir) soft-gelatin capsules. Norvir is a protease inhibitor indicated in combination with other anti-retroviral medications for the tr
NDA submitted for reformulated Norvir soft-gel capsules
Abbott Laboratories had submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for Norvir (ritonavir) soft-gel capsules. Norvir is an HIV protease ...
Shortage of [Norvir.sup.TM] capsules expected
Abbott Laboratories has warned of a coming shortage of [Norvir.sup.TM] capsules (ritonavir). An undesired crystalline structure formation affects dissolution ...
Abbott can keep higher Norvir price, U.S. decides
WASHINGTON -- The government on Wednesday refused to override patents on Abbott Laboratories' AIDS drug Norvir, effectively allowing a quintupling of the price to stand despite consumer groups' ac
Aetna sues Abbott over Norvir price increase
Aetna Inc., the third-largest U.S. health insurer, sued Abbott Laboratories, claiming the drugmaker's price increase for an AIDS medicine violated federal antitrust laws. Abbott faces similar s

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