Lopinavir-Ritonavir

April 10, 2020

Medicine

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Lopinavir-Ritonavir is a licensed treatment for HIV. Evidence for COVID-19, MERS, and SARS is yet to show it can improve clinical outcomes or prevent infection. The trial is aiming to identify and confirm any benefit for COVID-19. While there are indications from laboratory experiments that this combination may be effective against COVID-19, studies have done so far in COVID-19 patients have been inconclusive.

Lopinavir and Ritonavir belong to a class of drugs known as HIV protease inhibitors. This prescription helps decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. By decreasing the amount of HIV, it lowers your chance of getting HIV complications and improves your quality of life. Ritonavir increases or boosts the levels of Lopinavir. Therefore, it helps Lopinavir work better.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus or also known as HIV is a virus that damages your immune system. The immune system helps the body fight off infections. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids that include:
⦁ Semen
⦁ Blood
⦁ Breastmilk
⦁ Vaginal and rectal fluids

The virus does not spread in air or water or by a causal contact. This is a lifelong condition but it is possible to manage HIV and live with the virus for many years. Without treatment, a person with HIV is likely to develop a serious condition called AIDS. The immune system is too weak to fight off other diseases and infections. If left untreated, life expectancy with AIDS is about 3 years. AIDS is a disease that can develop in people with HIV. It is the most advanced stage of HIV. But just because a person has HIV doesn’t mean they will develop AIDS.

How does Lopinavir-Ritonavir work for HIV?
The virus invades cells of the immune system particularly the white blood cells. Once the virus is inside, it multiplies. Protease breaks up new proteins produced by the virus so that new copies of the virus can be assembled from the pieces. If this enzyme is stopped from working, any new virus that is produced is unable to infect more cells. Protease inhibitor like Lopinavir and Ritonavir works by stopping the protease enzyme from working.
There is no certain cure for HIV, but this prescription helps lower the amount of virus in the body. It also helps the immune system recover and therefore slows down the progression of the disease from HIV to AIDS.

Lopinavir-Ritonavir for COVID-19
According to a study, Lopinavir and Ritonavir showed no benefit in patients infected with coronavirus disease.
The study included a total of 199 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients received 100 mg to 400 mg twice a day for 14 days. The results have shown that there was no clinical improvement or mortality in seriously ill patients with COVID-19.
The Coronavirus disease has already spread in many countries but still with no vaccine or cure. The medical team around the world is working their best for this infectious disease to stop. Because Coronavirus spread from person to person through droplets when they cough or sneeze. To protect yourself and the people around you, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and always practice hygiene. Disinfect regularly as well your surroundings especially with the most touching things.