Emletra Tablet is an antiretroviral drug belonging to the protease inhibitors category, containing the active ingredient Lopinavir, Ritonavir. It is used in the treatment of HIV-1 infection. It is a Human immunodeficiency virus that mainly occurs when a person's immune system is attacked and weakened by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This infection progressively weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
Suppose you have Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or other liver problems. In that case, you may have a greater risk of developing new or worsening liver illness during treatment with Emletra Tablet. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have any signs and symptoms of liver problems, such as loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, yellow skin and whites of eyes(jaundice), and pale-colored stools. People with high levels of certain fat (triglycerides) have a greater chance of developing pancreatitis(a condition caused by inflammation of the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach). If you have a history of pancreatitis, you may have a greater chance of it returning during treatment with this drug.
During the early stages of HIV-1 treatment, some patients may experience an inflammatory response to opportunistic infections. This condition is called immune reconstitution syndrome. It can occur after starting the drug or other antiretroviral therapies. Knowing this possibility and monitoring for any signs of worsening infections or inflammatory symptoms is necessary. Inform your healthcare provider if the symptoms concern you or persist longer than usual. It is advised to avoid using the drug if you are mainly allergic to it or its ingredients. Tell your doctor about all the medications you have been taking recently, including herbal and supplements, before taking this drug.
Uses of Emletra Tablet
Therapeutic Effects of Emletra Tablet
Emletra Tablet work together to inhibit the protease enzyme, which is necessary for the replication of HIV. By blocking this enzyme, this drug prevents the virus from multiplying and spreading in the body. It mainly helps reduce the viral load and slow the progression of HIV infection.
Interaction of Emletra Tablet with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all your medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, efavirenz, nevirapine, and nelfinavir may interact with Emletra Tablet and reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Emletra Tablet
How to consume Emletra Tablet
It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the drug based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take Emletra Tablet as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.
Safety Advices for Emletra Tablet
Pregnancy
Your doctor shall prescribe Emletra Tablet only if it is essential and the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
Taking Emletra Tablet during breastfeeding is unsafe because it tends to get excreted in human milk.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Emletra Tablet can be prescribed for patients with lung problems. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
Emletra Tablet should be cautiously administered in patients with severe liver diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary for severe liver failure. Inform your physician if you have liver problems before initiating the therapy.
Alcohol
Consuming alcohol may affect the effectiveness of Emletra Tablet. It is highly advised to stop consuming alcohol if you take this medicine.
Driving
Driving vehicles or operating heavy machinery is unsafe after taking Emletra Tablet it may cause dizziness and impair concentration.
Side Effects of Emletra Tablet
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Serious
- Osteonecrosis (stiffness and pain in joints, difficulty moving)
- Lactic acidosis (breathing difficulties along with weakness in limbs, stomach pain, and drowsiness)
- Symptoms of muscle weakness or infection
- Changes in body fat
- Inflammation of the pancreas (nausea, vomiting, along with abdominal pain)
- Liver problems (yellow skin and whites of eyes, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools, loss of appetite)
- High blood sugar (Increased thirst or urination)
- Severe allergic reactions
Common
- Diarrhea
- Increased lipid levels in the blood
Word of Advice
To prevent the spread of HIV infection, avoid sharing needles or syringes, which can transmit HIV-1 infections easily. It's necessary for individuals who use injectable drugs to use sterile needles and syringes and never share them with others. Personal items like toothbrushes, razor blades, or anything with body fluids or blood on them should also be avoided. They should not be shared because HIV-1 can be present in blood and certain body fluids, and sharing these items could mainly transmit the virus.
Since this drug is unsafe for breastfeeding because HIV infection can be passed to the baby in the breast milk, alternative feeding methods can be followed to nourish the infant's growth. If you forget to take Emletra Tablet for the entire day, take your usual dose the next day. However, do not double-dose yourself.
FAQs
Q 1. What is the actual mechanism of Emletra Tablet?
Emletra Tablet interfere with the protease enzyme necessary to produce new viruses in HIV-infected cells. By inhibiting this enzyme, they prevent the virus from multiplying and spreading in the body.
Q 2. Are there any special precautions or warnings associated with Emletra Tablet?
Yes, there are certain precautions and warnings to consider Emletra Tablet may have potential interactions with other medications, can affect liver function, and may cause changes in heart rhythm. It's important to discuss any pre-existing medical illness or concerns with your doctor before starting this medication.
Q 3. What should I say to the physician before taking Emletra Tablet?
Before taking Emletra Tablet, you should inform your physician about any medical illness, including liver or kidney problems, diabetes, heart disease, pancreatitis, or any history of drug allergies. Also, inform about all the medications, supplements, or herbal products you are currently taking, as this tablet can interact with other drugs and cause adverse effects.
Q 4. What is the most necessary information I should know about Emletra Tablet?
Suppose you have Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or other liver problems. In that case, you may have a greater risk of developing new or worsening liver illness during treatment with Emletra Tablet. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have any signs and symptoms of liver problems.
Q 5. How should I store Emletra Tablet?
Store Emletra Tablet at room temperature, between (20°C to 25°C). Please do not keep the tablets out of the container for longer than two weeks, especially in areas with a lot of humidity. Keep the container closed tightly.
Q 6. What strength is Emletra Tablet?
It is available in tablet form, and each tablet contains 200 milligrams of lopinavir and 50 milligrams of Ritonavir. The combination of Emletra Tablet in Lopimune is formulated to provide an effective antiviral treatment for certain conditions, including HIV.
Fact Box of Emletra Tablet
Molecule name: Lopinavir, Ritonavir | Therapeutic class: Antiretroviral |
Pharmacological class: Protease inhibitors | Indications: Treatment of HIV-1 infection |