Norvir is an HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medications called protease inhibitors (PIs). Norvir prevents CD4 cells that have been infected with HIV from producing new HIV.

Norvir is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for the treatment of HIV infection in 1996.

Norvir is one of the two drugs in Kaletra. Kaletra contains the protease inhibitor lopinavir and small amounts of Norvir.

The following medications should not be taken while you are being treated with Norvir:

• Acid reflux/heartburn medications: Propulsid (cisapride)

• Antibiotics: Priftin (rifapentine)

• Antifungals: Vfend (voriconazole)

• Antimigraine medications: Methergine, Methylergometrine (methylergonovine); Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine (ergotamine); Ergotrate, Methergine (ergonovine); or D.H.E. 45, Migranal (dihydroergotamine)

• Antihistamines: Hismanal (astemizole) or Seldane (terfenadine)

• Heart medications: Cordarone (amiodarone), Vascor (bepridil), Tambocor (flecainide), Rythmol (propafenone), or Quinaglute/Quinidex (quinidine)

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins): Zocor (simvastatin) and Mevacor (lovastatin)

• Antipsychotics: Orap (pimozide)

• Sedatives: Versed (midazolam) and Halcion (triazolam)

• Enlarged prostate: Uroxatral (alfuzosin)

• Pulmonary Hypertension: sildenafil, used as Revatio

• Herbal products: St. John's wort

Anticonvulsants, such as Tegretol (carbamazepine), Luminal (phenobarbital), and Dilantin (phenytoin), may interact with Norvir and should be used with caution. Norvir can increase Tegretol levels in the bloodstream.

Some patients with asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) take a drug called theophylline. Norvir can decrease the amount of theophylline in the bloodstream. If these two drugs are taken at the same time, a doctor can order a blood test to check the level of theophylline in the bloodstream. If the theophylline level is too low, the dose can be increased.

Some patients with asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema also take a drug called fluticasone (found in Flovent and Advair), an inhaled medication known as a corticosteroid. Some patients taking fluticasone while taking Norvir have experienced Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can cause a variety of symptoms (e.g., extreme puffiness, easily damaged skin, fatigue, weakness). It is possible that Norvir increases fluticasone levels in the body, leading to an increased risk of Cushing's syndrome. Care should be taken if these two drugs are used together, until more studies are completed. Norvir can increase blood levels of an asthma medication called Serevent (salmeterol), a drug that is used to open the air passages in the lungs during an asthma attack. This can result in heart rhythm problems. Use of the two drugs together is not recommended.

The most common side effects of Norvir therapy—which are usually more severe if the standard dose (600mg twice-daily) is used—are related to the gut. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite loss are common.

Another possible side effect of Norvir is numbness/tingling around the mouth (oral paresthesias).

HIV drug regimens containing protease inhibitors, including Norvir, can cause increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood, abnormal body-shape changes (lipodystrophy; including increased fat around the abdomen, breasts, and back of the neck, as well as decreased fat in the face, arms, and legs), and diabetes.