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”
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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.
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Metabolic Impact: Long-term use is associated with Hypertriglyceridemia (high fats in the blood) and Insulin Resistance. Routine lipid profiles are mandatory.
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GI Tolerance: Diarrhea and nausea are the most frequent side effects, often occurring during the first few weeks of therapy.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.