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What is the brand name for lopinavir and ritonavir?

In the pharmaceutical industry, the combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir is one of the most significant Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDC) in the Protease Inhibitor class. As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I identify the primary global brand name as Kaletra (marketed by AbbVie), while in many developing markets, it is recognized under the brand name Aluvia.

At your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, where you likely produce high-quality generics of this 200/50 mg combination, understanding the brand landscape is essential for positioning your firm as a reliable alternative for international “Access to Medicine” programs.

Therapeutic Profile: Global Brand Identification

The branding often differs based on the clinical setting (adult vs. pediatric) and the geographical region.

Brand Name Primary Market Technical Form
Kaletra Global / Innovator Available as heat-stable tablets (200/50 mg) and oral solution.
Aluvia Emerging Markets The heat-stable version of Kaletra, specifically designed for tropical climates.
Lopimune Generic / India A common Indian generic brand exported to various regulated and semi-regulated markets.
Alluvia Generic / Africa Frequently used in public health tenders across the African continent.

Mechanism: The “Ritonavir-Boosted” Synergy

The effectiveness of this combination relies on a “Booster” mechanism:

Primary Action (Lopinavir): It is a potent HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor. It prevents the protease enzyme from cutting long protein chains into the smaller pieces needed to build a mature virus.

The Booster (Ritonavir): Ritonavir is technically a protease inhibitor as well, but in this 200/50 mg ratio, it is used primarily as a Pharmacokinetic Enhancer.

CYP3A4 Inhibition: Ritonavir inhibits the liver enzyme CYP3A4, which would otherwise rapidly break down Lopinavir. This “boosts” the levels of Lopinavir in the blood, allowing for twice-daily dosing instead of much more frequent intervals.

The Pharmacist’s “Technical Warning”

  • Drug-Drug Interactions: Because Ritonavir is a potent enzyme inhibitor, it interacts with hundreds of other medications. As a pharmacist, I must emphasize that co-administration with drugs like Simvastatin, Rifampicin, or St. John’s Wort is strictly contraindicated.

  • Metabolic Impact: Long-term use is associated with Hypertriglyceridemia (high fats in the blood) and Insulin Resistance. Routine lipid profiles are mandatory.

  • GI Tolerance: Diarrhea and nausea are the most frequent side effects, often occurring during the first few weeks of therapy.

  • Heat Stability: Ensure B2B clients know the difference between old soft-gel capsules (requiring refrigeration) and modern Heat-Stable Tablets which are essential for tropical export.

The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export

From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility in Mumbai:

  • The “Melt-Extrusion” USP: On your digital marketplace, highlight if your tablets are produced using Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME) technology. This is the gold standard for producing the heat-stable 200/50 mg tablets that do not require cold-chain logistics.

  • Stability for Export: Utilizing Alu-Alu blister packaging or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles with desiccants is mandatory for maintaining a 36-month shelf life in Zone IVb tropical regions.

  • Dossier Support: We provide full WHO-Prequalified CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm’s registration in international HIV/AIDS tenders and Global Fund programs.

Lopinavir & Ritonavir Tablet