Lopinavir/ritonavir (ABT-378/r)

Despite major advances in HIV research, eradication of HIV from the body is not yet possible. However, current antiretroviral (ARV) therapy can achieve disease control via viral suppression below the limits of detection of currently available assays. This has led to a marked decline in morbidity and mortality associated with the development of opportunistic infections and malignancies. Since viral suppression appears to be the most achievable goal of current therapy, there arises a need for new and more potent ARV agents in order to maintain viral suppression. Many of the currently available protease inhibitors (PIs) have a high protein-binding ability, short plasma half-life [1] and pharmacokinetic interactions with food or other drugs [2]. This can result in sub-optimal plasma drug concentrations, which may allow the virus to break through and replicate, leading to the development of resistant mutants [1]. Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r; Kaletra®, Abbott Laboratories) is a new PI consisting of a co-formulat...