2.1 General Administration Recommendations

Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets may be taken with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed, broken, or crushed.

2.3 Dosage Recommendations in Adults

Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets can be given in once daily or twice daily dosing regimen at dosages noted in Tables 1 and 2. Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets once daily dosing regimen is not recommended in: 

• Adult patients with three or more of the following lopinavir resistance-associated substitutions: L10F/I/R/V, K20M/N/R, L24I, L33F, M36I, I47V, G48V, I54L/T/V, V82A/C/F/S/T, and I84V [see Microbiology (12.4)]. 

• In combination with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin [see Drug Interactions (7.3)].

• In combination with efavirenz, nevirapine, or nelfinavir [see Drug Interactions (7.3) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)].

• In pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

• In pregnant women [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5),Use in Specific Populations (8.1)and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Table 1. Recommended Dosage in Adults - Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablets Once Daily Regimen

Table 2. Recommended Dosage in Adults – Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablets Twice Daily Regimen

The dose of lopinavir and ritonavir tablets must be increased when administered in combination with efavirenz, nevirapine or nelfinavir. Table 3 outlines the dosage recommendations for twice daily dosing when lopinavir and ritonavir tablets are taken in combination with these agents.

Table 3. Recommended Dosage in Adults - Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablets Twice Daily Regimen in Combination with Efavirenz, Nevirapine, or Nelfinavir

2.4 Dosage Recommendations in Pediatric Patients

Lopinavir and ritonavir tablets are not recommended for once daily dosing in pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age. Lopinavir and ritonavir 100/25 mg tablets should be considered only in children who have reliably demonstrated the ability to swallow the intact tablet.

Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution is not recommended in neonates before a postmenstrual age (first day of the mother’s last menstrual period to birth plus the time elapsed after birth) of 42 weeks and a postnatal age of at least 14 days has been attained [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution contains alcohol and propylene glycol. Total amounts of alcohol and propylene glycol from all medicines that are to be given to pediatric patients 14 days to 6 months of age should be taken into account in order to avoid toxicity from these excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Overdosage (10)].

Pediatric Dosage Calculations

Calculate the appropriate dose of lopinavir and ritonavir tablets for each individual pediatric patient based on body weight (kg) or body surface area (BSA) to avoid underdosing or exceeding the recommended adult dose.

Body surface area (BSA) can be calculated as follows:

The lopinavir and ritonavir tablets dose can be calculated based on weight or BSA:

Based on Weight:

Patient Weight (kg) × Prescribed lopinavir dose (mg/kg) = Administered lopinavir dose (mg)

Based on BSA:

Patient BSA (m 2) × Prescribed lopinavir dose (mg/m 2) = Administered lopinavir dose (mg)

If lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution is used, the volume (mL) of lopinavir and ritonavir solution can be determined as follows:

Volume of lopinavir and ritonavir solution (mL) = Administered lopinavir dose (mg) ÷ 80 (mg/mL)

Tablet Dosage Recommendation in Pediatric Patients Older than 6 Months to Less than 18 Years:

Table 5 provides the dosing recommendations for pediatric patients older than 6 months to less than 18 years of age based on body weight or body surface area for lopinavir and ritonavir tablets.

Table 5. Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablet Daily Dosage Recommendations in Pediatric Patients ˃ 6 Months to < 18 Years of Age Without Concomitant Efavirenz, Nevirapine, or Nelfinavir

Concomitant Therapy: Efavirenz, Nevirapine, or Nelfinavir

Dosing recommendations using tablets

Table 7 provides the dosing recommendations for pediatric patients older than 6 months to less than 18 years of age based on body weight or body surface area for lopinavir and ritonavir tablets when given in combination with efavirenz, nevirapine, or nelfinavir.

Table 7. Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablet Daily Dosage Recommendations for Pediatric Patients ˃ 6 Months to < 18 Years of Age With Concomitant Efavirenz†, Nevirapine, or Nelfinavir †

2.5 Dosage Recommendations in Pregnancy

Administer 400/100 mg of lopinavir and ritonavir tablets twice daily in pregnant patients with no documented lopinavir-associated resistance substitutions.

• Once daily lopinavir and ritonavir tablets dosing is not recommended in pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

• There are insufficient data to recommend dosing in pregnant women with any documented lopinavir-associated resistance substitutions.

• No dosage adjustment of lopinavir and ritonavir is required for patients during the postpartum period.

• Avoid use of lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution in pregnant women [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

5.1 Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions Due to Drug Interactions

Initiation of lopinavir and ritonavir, a CYP3A inhibitor, in patients receiving medications metabolized by CYP3A or initiation of medications metabolized by CYP3A in patients already receiving lopinavir and ritonavir, may increase plasma concentrations of medications metabolized by CYP3A. Initiation of medications that inhibit or induce CYP3A may increase or decrease concentrations of lopinavir and ritonavir, respectively. These interactions may lead to:

• Clinically significant adverse reactions, potentially leading to severe, life-threatening, or fatal    events from greater exposures of concomitant medications.

• Clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposures of lopinavir and ritonavir.

• Loss of therapeutic effect of lopinavir and ritonavir and possible development of resistance.

See Table 12 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations [see Drug Interactions (7)].Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during lopinavir and ritonavir therapy; review concomitant medications during lopinavir and ritonavir therapy, and monitor for the adverse reactions associated with the concomitant medications [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7)].

5.2 Toxicity in Preterm Neonates

Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution contains the excipients alcohol and propylene glycol. When administered concomitantly with propylene glycol, alcohol competitively inhibits the metabolism of propylene glycol, which may lead to elevated concentrations. Preterm neonates may be at increased risk of propylene glycol-associated adverse events due to diminished ability to metabolize propylene glycol, thereby leading to accumulation and potential adverse events. Postmarketing life-threatening cases of cardiac toxicity (including complete AV block, bradycardia, and cardiomyopathy), lactic acidosis, acute renal failure, CNS depression and respiratory complications leading to death have been reported, predominantly in preterm neonates receiving lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution.

Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution should not be used in preterm neonates in the immediate postnatal period because of possible toxicities. A safe and effective dose of lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution in this patient population has not been established. However, if the benefit of using lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution to treat HIV infection in infants immediately after birth outweighs the potential risks, infants should be monitored closely for increases in serum osmolality and serum creatinine, and for toxicity related to lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution including: hyperosmolality, with or without lactic acidosis, renal toxicity, CNS depression (including stupor, coma, and apnea), seizures, hypotonia, cardiac arrhythmias and ECG changes, and hemolysis. Total amounts of alcohol and propylene glycol from all medicines that are to be given to infants should be taken into account in order to avoid toxicity from these excipients [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Overdosage (10)].

5.3 Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis has been observed in patients receiving lopinavir and ritonavir therapy, including those who developed marked triglyceride elevations. In some cases, fatalities have been observed. Although a causal relationship to lopinavir and ritonavir has not been established, marked triglyceride elevations are a risk factor for development of pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]. Patients with advanced HIV-1 disease may be at increased risk of elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis, and patients with a history of pancreatitis may be at increased risk for recurrence during lopinavir and ritonavir therapy.

Pancreatitis should be considered if clinical symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) or abnormalities in laboratory values (such as increased serum lipase or amylase values) suggestive of pancreatitis occur. Patients who exhibit these signs or symptoms should be evaluated and lopinavir and ritonavir and/or other antiretroviral therapy should be suspended as clinically appropriate.

5.4 Hepatotoxicity

Patients with underlying hepatitis B or C or marked elevations in transaminase prior to treatment may be at increased risk for developing or worsening of transaminase elevations or hepatic decompensation with use of lopinavir and ritonavir.

There have been postmarketing reports of hepatic dysfunction, including some fatalities. These have generally occurred in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease taking multiple concomitant medications in the setting of underlying chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. A causal relationship with lopinavir and ritonavir therapy has not been established.

Elevated transaminases with or without elevated bilirubin levels have been reported in HIV-1 mono-infected and uninfected patients as early as 7 days after the initiation of lopinavir and ritonavir in conjunction with other antiretroviral agents. In some cases, the hepatic dysfunction was serious; however, a definitive causal relationship with lopinavir and ritonavir therapy has not been established.

Appropriate laboratory testing should be conducted prior to initiating therapy with lopinavir and ritonavir and patients should be monitored closely during treatment. Increased AST/ALT monitoring should be considered in the patients with underlying chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, especially during the first several months of lopinavir and ritonavir treatment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

5.5 QT Interval Prolongation

Postmarketing cases of QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes have been reported although causality of lopinavir and ritonavir could not be established. Avoid use in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, those with hypokalemia, and with other drugs that prolong the QT interval [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

5.6 PR Interval Prolongation

Lopinavir/ritonavir prolongs the PR interval in some patients. Cases of second or third degree atrioventricular block have been reported. Lopinavir and ritonavir should be used with caution in patients with underlying structural heart disease, pre-existing conduction system abnormalities, ischemic heart disease or cardiomyopathies, as these patients may be at increased risk for developing cardiac conduction abnormalities.

The impact on the PR interval of co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir with other drugs that prolong the PR interval (including calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, digoxin and atazanavir) has not been evaluated. As a result, co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir with these drugs should be undertaken with caution, particularly with those drugs metabolized by CYP3A. Clinical monitoring is recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

5.7 Diabetes Mellitus/Hyperglycemia

New onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia have been reported during post-marketing surveillance in HIV-1 infected patients receiving protease inhibitor therapy. Some patients required either initiation or dose adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents for treatment of these events. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis has occurred. In those patients who discontinued protease inhibitor therapy, hyperglycemia persisted in some cases. Because these events have been reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency cannot be made and a causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established. Consider monitoring for hyperglycemia, new onset diabetes mellitus or an exacerbation of diabetes mellitus in patients treated with lopinavir and ritonavir.

5.8 Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including lopinavir and ritonavir. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis) which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.

Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution, however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.

5.9 Lipid Elevations

Treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir has resulted in large increases in the concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].  Triglyceride and cholesterol testing should be performed prior to initiating lopinavir and ritonavir therapy and at periodic intervals during therapy. Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate, taking into account any potential drug-drug interactions with lopinavir and ritonavir and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors [see Contraindications (4)and Drug Interactions (7.3)].

5.10 Fat Redistribution

Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and "cushingoid appearance" have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. The mechanism and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown. A causal relationship has not been established.

5.11 Patients with Hemophilia

Increased bleeding, including spontaneous skin hematomas and hemarthrosis have been reported in patients with hemophilia type A and B treated with protease inhibitors. In some patients additional factor VIII was given. In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with protease inhibitors was continued or reintroduced. A causal relationship between protease inhibitor therapy and these events has not been established.

5.12 Resistance/Cross-resistance

Because the potential for HIV cross-resistance among protease inhibitors has not been fully explored in lopinavir and ritonavir-treated patients, it is unknown what effect therapy with lopinavir and ritonavir will have on the activity of subsequently administered protease inhibitors [see Microbiology (12.4)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Adverse Reactions in Adults

The safety of lopinavir and ritonavir has been investigated in about 2,600 patients in Phase II-IV clinical trials, of which about 700 have received a dose of 800/200 mg (6 capsules or 4 tablets) once daily. Along with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), in some studies, lopinavir and ritonavir was used in combination with efavirenz or nevirapine.

In clinical studies the incidence of diarrhea in patients treated with either lopinavir and ritonavir capsules or tablets was greater in those patients treated once daily than in those patients treated twice daily. Any grade of diarrhea was reported by at least half of patients taking once daily lopinavir and ritonavir capsules or tablets. At the time of treatment discontinuation, 4.2 to 6.3% of patients taking once daily lopinavir and ritonavir and 1.8 to 3.7% of those taking twice daily lopinavir and ritonavir reported ongoing diarrhea.

Commonly reported adverse reactions to lopinavir and ritonavir included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may occur at the beginning of the treatment while hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia may occur later. The following have been identified as adverse reactions of moderate or severe intensity (Table 8):

Table 8. Adverse Reactions of Moderate or Severe Intensity Occurring in at Least 0.1% of Adult Patients Receiving Lopinavir and Ritonavir in Combined Phase II/IV Studies (N=2,612)

Laboratory Abnormalities in Adults

The percentages of adult patients treated with combination therapy with Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities are presented in Table 9 (treatment-naïve patients) and Table 10 (treatment-experienced patients).

Table 9. Grade 3 to 4 Laboratory Abnormalities Reported in ³  2% of Adult Antiretroviral-Naïve Patients

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been reported during postmarketing use of lopinavir and ritonavir. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to lopinavir and ritonavir exposure.

Body as a Whole

Redistribution/accumulation of body fat has been reported [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

Cardiovascular

Bradyarrhythmias. First-degree AV block, second-degree AV block, third-degree AV block, QTc interval prolongation, torsades (torsade) de pointes [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5,5.6)].

Renal and Urinary Disorders

Nephrolithiasis

Skin and Appendages

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme.

7.1 Potential for Lopinavir and Ritonavir to Affect Other Drugs

Lopinavir/ritonavir is an inhibitor of CYP3A and may increase plasma concentrations of agents that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A. Agents that are extensively metabolized by CYP3A and have high first pass metabolism appear to be the most susceptible to large increases in AUC (> 3-fold) when co-administered with lopinavir and ritonavir. Thus, co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events is contraindicated. Co-administration with other CYP3A substrates may require a dose adjustment or additional monitoring as shown in Table 12.

Additionally, lopinavir and ritonavir induces glucuronidation.

Published data suggest that lopinavir is an inhibitor of OATP1B1.

These examples are a guide and not considered a comprehensive list of all possible drugs that may interact with lopinavir/ritonavir. The healthcare provider should consult appropriate references for comprehensive information.

7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Lopinavir

Lopinavir/ritonavir is a CYP3A substrate; therefore, drugs that induce CYP3A may decrease lopinavir plasma concentrations and reduce lopinavir and ritonavir’s therapeutic effect. Although not observed in the lopinavir and ritonavir/ketoconazole drug interaction study, co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir and other drugs that inhibit CYP3A may increase lopinavir plasma concentrations.

7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions

Table 12 provides a listing of established or potentially clinically significant drug interactions. Alteration in dose or regimen may be recommended based on drug interaction studies or predicted interaction [see Contraindications ( 4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]for magnitude of interaction.

Table 12. Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions

7.4 Drugs with No Observed or Predicted Interactions with Lopinavir and Ritonavir

Drug interaction or clinical studies reveal no clinically significant interaction between lopinavir and ritonavir and desipramine (CYP2D6 probe), etravirine, pitavastatin, pravastatin, stavudine, lamivudine, omeprazole, raltegravir, ranitidine, or rilpivirine.

Based on known metabolic profiles, clinically significant drug interactions are not expected between lopinavir and ritonavir and dapsone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin, erythromycin, or fluconazole.

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exposure Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to lopinavir and ritonavir during pregnancy. Physicians are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry at 1-800-258-4263.

Risk Summary

Available data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry show no difference in the risk of overall major birth defects compared to the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) (see Data). The estimated background rate of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15 to 20%. The background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Methodological limitations of the APR include the use of MACDP as the external comparator group. The MACDP population is not disease-specific, evaluates women and infants from a limited geographic area, and does not include outcomes for births that occurred at <20 weeks gestation (see Data). No treatment-related malformations were observed when lopinavir in combination with ritonavir was administered to pregnant rats or rabbits; however embryonic and fetal developmental toxicities occurred in rats administered maternally toxic doses.

Clinical Considerations

Dose Adjustments During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Administer 400/100 mg of lopinavir and ritonavir twice daily in pregnant patients with no documented lopinavir-associated resistance substitutions [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. There are insufficient data to recommend lopinavir and ritonavir dosing for pregnant patients with any documented lopinavir-associated resistance substitutions. No dose adjustment of lopinavir and ritonavir is required for patients during the postpartum period.

Once daily lopinavir and ritonavir dosing is not recommended in pregnancy.

Avoid use of lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution during pregnancy due to the alcohol content. Lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution contains the excipients alcohol and propylene glycol.

Data

Human Data

Lopinavir and ritonavir was evaluated in 12 HIV-infected pregnant women in an open-label pharmacokinetic trial [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. No new trends in the safety profile were identified in pregnant women dosed with lopinavir and ritonavir compared to the safety described in non-pregnant adults, based on the review of these limited data.

Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry Data: Based on prospective reports from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) of over 3,000 exposures to lopinavir containing regimens (including over 1,000 exposed in the first trimester), there was no difference between lopinavir and overall birth defects compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program. The prevalence of birth defects in live births was 2.1% (95% CI:1.4%-3.0%) following first-trimester exposure to lopinavir-containing regimens and 3.0% (95% CI: 2.4%-3.8%) following second and third trimester exposure to lopinavir-containing regimens. Based on prospective reports from the APR of over 5,000 exposures to ritonavir containing regimens (including over 2,000 exposures in the first trimester) there was no difference between ritonavir and overall birth defects compared with the U.S. background rate (MACDP). The prevalence of birth defects in live births was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.7%-2.8%) following first-trimester exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.4%-3.6%) following second and third trimester exposure to ritonavir-containing regimens. For both lopinavir and ritonavir, sufficient numbers of first trimester exposures have been monitored to detect at least a 1.5 fold increase in risk of overall birth defects and a 2 fold increase in risk of birth defects in the cardiovascular and genitourinary systems.

Animal Data

Embryonic and fetal developmental toxicities (early resorption, decreased fetal viability, decreased fetal body weight, increased incidence of skeletal variations and skeletal ossification delays) occurred in rats administered lopinavir in combination with ritonavir (on gestation days 6 to 17) at a maternally toxic dosage. Based on AUC measurements, the drug exposures in rats at the toxic doses were approximately 0.7 times (for lopinavir) and 1.8 times (for ritonavir) the exposures in humans at the recommended therapeutic dose (400/100 mg twice daily). In a pre- and post-natal study in rats, a developmental toxicity (a decrease in survival in pups between birth and postnatal Day 21) occurred.

No embryonic and fetal developmental toxicities were observed in rabbits administered lopinavir in combination with ritonavir (on gestation days 6 to 18) at a maternally toxic dosage. Based on AUC measurements, the drug exposures in rabbits at the toxic doses were approximately 0.6 times (for lopinavir) and similar to (for ritonavir) the exposures in humans at the recommended therapeutic dose (400/100 mg twice daily).

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-1 infected mothers not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV-1. Because of the potential for: 1) HIV transmission (in HIV-negative infants), 2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-positive infants), and 3) adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, instruct mothers not to breastfeed if they are receiving lopinavir and ritonavir.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Contraception

Use of lopinavir and ritonavir may reduce the efficacy of combined hormonal contraceptives. Advise patients using combined hormonal contraceptives to use an effective alternative contraceptive method or an additional barrier method of contraception [see Drug Interactions (7.3)].

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profiles of lopinavir and ritonavir in pediatric patients below the age of 14 days have not been established. Lopinavir and ritonavir should not be administered once daily in pediatric patients.

An open-label, multi-center, dose-finding trial was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, tolerability, safety and efficacy of lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution containing lopinavir 80 mg/mL and ritonavir 20 mg/mL at a dose of 300/75 mg/m 2 twice daily plus two NRTIs in HIV-infected infants ≥14 days and < 6 months of age. Results revealed that infants younger than 6 months of age generally had lower lopinavir AUC 12 than older children (6 months to 12 years of age), however, despite the lower lopinavir drug exposure observed, antiviral activity was demonstrated as reflected in the proportion of subjects who achieved HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/mL at Week 24 [see Adverse Reactions (6.2),Clinical Pharmacology (12.3),Clinical Studies (14.4)].

Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients > 6 months of age was demonstrated in a clinical trial in 100 patients. The clinical trial was an open-label, multicenter trial evaluating the pharmacokinetic profile, tolerability, safety, and efficacy of lopinavir and ritonavir oral solution containing lopinavir 80 mg/mL and ritonavir 20 mg/mL in 100 antiretroviral naïve and experienced pediatric patients ages 6 months to 12 years. Dose selection for patients 6 months to 12 years of age was based on the following results. The 230/57.5 mg/m 2 oral solution twice daily regimen without nevirapine and the 300/75 mg/m 2  oral solution twice daily regimen with nevirapine provided lopinavir plasma concentrations similar to those obtained in adult patients receiving the 400/100 mg twice daily regimen (without nevirapine) [see Adverse Reactions (6.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), Clinical Studies (14.4)].

A prospective multicenter, open-label trial evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile, tolerability, safety and efficacy of high-dose lopinavir and ritonavir with or without concurrent NNRTI therapy (Group 1: 400/100 mg/m 2 twice daily + ≥ 2 NRTIs; Group 2: 480/120 mg/m2 twice daily + ≥ 1 NRTI + 1 NNRTI) in 26 children and adolescents ≥ 2 years to < 18 years of age who had failed prior therapy. Patients also had saquinavir mesylate added to their regimen. This strategy was intended to assess whether higher than approved doses of lopinavir and ritonavir could overcome protease inhibitor cross-resistance. High doses of lopinavir and ritonavir exhibited a safety profile similar to those observed in previous trials; changes in HIV-1 RNA were less than anticipated; three patients had HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/mL at Week 48. CD4+ cell count increases were noted in the eight patients who remained on treatment for 48 weeks [see Adverse Reactions (6.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

A prospective multicenter, randomized, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of twice-daily versus once-daily dosing of lopinavir and ritonavir tablets dosed by weight as part of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in virologically suppressed HIV-1 infected children (n=173). Children were eligible when they were aged < 18 years, ≥ 15 kg in weight, receiving cART that included lopinavir and ritonavir tablets, HIV-1 ribonucleic acid (RNA) < 50 copies/mL for at least 24 weeks and able to swallow tablets. At week 24, efficacy (defined as the proportion of subjects with plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) was significantly higher in subjects receiving twice daily dosing compared to subjects receiving once daily dosing. The safety profile was similar between the two treatment arms although there was a greater incidence of diarrhea in the once daily treated subjects.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of lopinavir and ritonavir did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, appropriate caution should be exercised in the administration and monitoring of lopinavir and ritonavir in elderly patients reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment

Lopinavir and ritonavir is principally metabolized by the liver; therefore, caution should be exercised when administering this drug to patients with hepatic impairment, because lopinavir concentrations may be increased [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Lopinavir and ritonavir is a fixed-dose combination of HIV-1 antiviral drugs lopinavir [see Microbiology (12.4)] and ritonavir. As co-formulated in lopinavir and ritonavir, ritonavir inhibits the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of lopinavir, thereby providing increased plasma levels of lopinavir.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Cardiac Electrophysiology

 



The effect of lopinavir and ritonavir on QTcF interval was evaluated in a placebo and active (moxifloxacin 400 mg once daily) controlled crossover study in 39 healthy adults. The maximum mean time-matched (95% upper confidence bound) differences in QTcF interval from placebo after baseline-correction were 5.3 (8.1) and 15.2 (18.0) mseconds (msec) for 400/100 mg twice daily and supratherapeutic 800/200 mg twice daily lopinavir and ritonavir, respectively. Lopinavir and ritonavir 800/200 mg twice daily resulted in a Day 3 mean C max approximately 2-fold higher than the mean C max observed with the approved once daily and twice daily lopinavir and ritonavir doses at steady state. The maximum mean (95% upper confidence bound) difference from placebo in the PR interval after baseline-correction were 24.9 (21.5, 28.3) and 31.9 (28.5, 35.3) msec for 400/100 mg twice daily and supratherapeutic 800/200 mg twice daily lopinavir and ritonavir, respectively [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5,5.6)].

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetic properties of lopinavir are summarized in Table 13. The steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of lopinavir are summarized in Table 14. Under fed conditions, lopinavir concentrations were similar following administration of lopinavir and ritonavir tablets to capsules with less pharmacokinetic variability. Under fed conditions (500 kcal, 25% from fat), lopinavir concentrations were similar following administration of lopinavir and ritonavir capsules and oral solution.

Table 13. Pharmacokinetic Properties of Lopinavir

Table 14. Steady-State Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Lopinavir, Mean ± SD

Specific Populations

Gender, Race and Age

No gender or race related pharmacokinetic differences have been observed in adult patients. Lopinavir pharmacokinetics have not been studied in elderly patients.

Pediatric Patients

The 230/57.5 mg/m 2 twice daily regimen without nevirapine and the 300/75 mg/m 2 twice daily regimen with nevirapine provided lopinavir plasma concentrations similar to those obtained in adult patients receiving the 400/100 mg twice daily regimen without nevirapine.

Table 15. Lopinavir Pharmacokinetic Data from Pediatric Clinical Trials, Mean ± SD

Pregnancy

The C 12h values of lopinavir were lower during the second and third trimester by approximately 40% as compared to post-partum in 12 HIV-infected pregnant women received lopinavir and ritonavir 400 mg/100 mg twice daily. Yet this decrease is not considered clinically relevant in patients with no documented lopinavir and ritonavir-associated resistance substitutions receiving 400 mg/100 mg twice daily [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Renal Impairment

Lopinavir pharmacokinetics have not been studied in patients with renal impairment; however, since the renal clearance of lopinavir is negligible, a decrease in total body clearance is not expected in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

Multiple dosing of lopinavir and ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily to HIV-1 and HCV co-infected patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (n = 12) resulted in a 30% increase in lopinavir AUC and 20% increase in C max compared to HIV-1 infected subjects with normal hepatic function (n = 12). Additionally, the plasma protein binding of lopinavir was statistically significantly lower in both mild and moderate hepatic impairment compared to controls (99.09 vs. 99.31%, respectively). Lopinavir and ritonavir has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)and Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Drug Interactions

Lopinavir and ritonavir is an inhibitor of the P450 isoform CYP3A in vitro. Lopinavir and ritonavir does not inhibit CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, CYP2B6 or CYP1A2 at clinically relevant concentrations.

Lopinavir and ritonavir has been shown in vivo to induce its own metabolism and to increase the biotransformation of some drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes and by glucuronidation. 

The effects of co-administration of lopinavir and ritonavir on the AUC, C max and Cmin are summarized in Table 16 (effect of other drugs on lopinavir) and Table 17 (effect of lopinavir and ritonavir on other drugs). For information regarding clinical recommendations, see Table 12 in Drug Interactions (7).

12.4 Microbiology

Mechanism of Action

Lopinavir, an inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease, prevents cleavage of the viral Gag-Pol polyprotein, resulting in the production of immature, non-infectious viral particles.

Antiviral Activity

In the absence of human serum, the mean 50% effective concentration (EC 50) values of lopinavir against five different HIV-1 subtype B laboratory strains in lymphoblastic cell lines ranged from 10 to 27 nM (0.006 to 0.017 mcg/mL, 1 mcg/mL = 1.6 µM), and ranged from 4 to 11 nM (0.003 to 0.007 mcg/mL) against several HIV-1 subtype B clinical isolates in peripheral blood lymphocytes (n = 6). In the presence of 50% human serum, the mean EC 50 values of lopinavir against these five HIV-1 laboratory strains ranged from 65 to 289 nM (0.04 to 0.18 mcg/mL), representing a 7 to 11-fold attenuation. The EC 50 values of lopinavir against three different HIV-2 strains ranged from 12 to 180 nM (0.008 to 113 mcg/mL).

Resistance

HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility to lopinavir have been selected in cell culture. The presence of ritonavir does not appear to influence the selection of lopinavir-resistant viruses in cell culture.

In a study of 653 antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients (Study 863), plasma viral isolates from each patient on treatment with plasma HIV-1 RNA >400 copies/mL at Week 24, 32, 40 and/or 48 were analyzed. No specific amino acid substitutions could be associated with resistance to lopinavir and ritonavir in the virus from 37 evaluable lopinavir and ritonavir-treated patients. The selection of resistance to lopinavir and ritonavir in antiretroviral treatment-naïve pediatric patients (Study 940) appears to be consistent with that seen in adult patients (Study 863).

Resistance to lopinavir and ritonavir has been noted to emerge in patients treated with other protease inhibitors prior to lopinavir and ritonavir therapy. In studies of 227 antiretroviral treatment-naïve and protease inhibitor experienced patients, isolates from 4 of 23 patients with quantifiable (>400 copies/mL) viral RNA following treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir for 12 to 100 weeks displayed significantly reduced susceptibility to lopinavir compared to the corresponding baseline viral isolates. All four of these patients had previously received treatment with at least one protease inhibitor and had at least 4 substitutions associated with protease inhibitor resistance immediately prior to lopinavir and ritonavir therapy. Following viral rebound, isolates from these patients all contained additional substitutions, some of which are recognized to be associated with protease inhibitor resistance.

Cross-resistance - Nonclinical Studies

Varying degrees of cross-resistance have been observed among HIV-1 protease inhibitors. The antiviral activity in cell culture of lopinavir against clinical isolates from patients previously treated with a single protease inhibitor was determined (Table 18).

Table 18. Susceptibility Reduction to Lopinavir Against Isolates from Patients Previously Treated With a Single Protease Inhibitor

Isolates from patients previously treated with two or more protease inhibitors showed greater reductions in susceptibility to lopinavir, as described in the following section.

Clinical Studies - Antiviral Activity of Lopinavir and Ritonavir in Patients with Previous Protease Inhibitor Therapies

The clinical relevance of reduced susceptibility in cell culture to lopinavir has been examined by assessing the virologic response to lopinavir and ritonavir therapy in treatment-experienced patients, with respect to baseline viral genotype in three studies and baseline viral phenotype in one study.

Virologic response to lopinavir and ritonavir has been shown to be affected by the presence of three or more of the following amino acid substitutions in protease at baseline: L10F/I/R/V, K20M/N/R, L24I, L33F, M36I, I47V, G48V, I54L/T/V, V82A/C/F/S/T, and I84V. Table 19 shows the 48-week virologic response (HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/mL) according to the number of the above protease inhibitor resistance-associated substitutions at baseline in studies 888 and 765 [see Clinical Studies (14.2)and (14.3)] and study 957 (see below). Once daily administration of lopinavir and ritonavir for adult patients with three or more of the above substitutions is not recommended.

Table 19. Virologic Response (HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/mL) at Week 48 by Baseline Lopinavir and Ritonavir Susceptibility and by Number of Protease Substitutions Associated with Reduced Response to Lopinavir and Ritonavir 1

Virologic response to lopinavir and ritonavir therapy with respect to phenotypic susceptibility to lopinavir at baseline was examined in Study 957. In this study 56 NNRTI-naïve patients with HIV-1 RNA >1,000 copies/mL despite previous therapy with at least two protease inhibitors selected from indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir were randomized to receive one of two doses of lopinavir and ritonavir in combination with efavirenz and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). The EC 50 values of lopinavir against the 56 baseline viral isolates ranged from 0.5- to 96-fold the wild-type EC 50 value. Fifty-five percent (31/56) of these baseline isolates displayed >4-fold reduced susceptibility to lopinavir. These 31 isolates had a median reduction in lopinavir susceptibility of 18-fold. Response to therapy by baseline lopinavir susceptibility is shown in Table 20.

Table 20. HIV-1 RNA Response at Week 48 by Baseline Lopinavir Susceptibility 1

                         

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Lopinavir/ritonavir combination was evaluated for carcinogenic potential by oral gavage administration to mice and rats for up to 104 weeks. Results showed an increase in the incidence of benign hepatocellular adenomas and an increase in the combined incidence of hepatocellular adenomas plus carcinoma in both males and females in mice and males in rats at doses that produced approximately 1.6 to 2.2 times (mice) and 0.5 times (rats) the human exposure (based on AUC 0 to 24hr measurement) at the recommended dose of 400/100 mg lopinavir and ritonavir twice daily. Administration of lopinavir/ritonavir did not cause a statistically significant increase in the incidence of any other benign or malignant neoplasm in mice or rats.

Carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats have been carried out on ritonavir. In male mice, there was a dose dependent increase in the incidence of both adenomas and combined adenomas and carcinomas in the liver. Based on AUC measurements, the exposure at the high dose was approximately 4-fold for males that of the exposure in humans with the recommended therapeutic dose (400/100 mg lopinavir and ritonavir twice daily). There were no carcinogenic effects seen in females at the dosages tested. The exposure at the high dose was approximately 9-fold for the females that of the exposure in humans. There were no carcinogenic effects in rats. In this study, the exposure at the high dose was approximately 0.7-fold that of the exposure in humans with the 400/100 mg lopinavir and ritonavir twice daily regimen. Based on the exposures achieved in the animal studies, the significance of the observed effects is not known.

Mutagenesis

Neither lopinavir nor ritonavir was found to be mutagenic or clastogenic in a battery of in vitro and in vivo assays including the Ames bacterial reverse mutation assay using S. typhimurium and E. coli, the mouse lymphoma assay, the mouse micronucleus test and chromosomal aberration assays in human lymphocytes.

Impairment of Fertility

Lopinavir in combination with ritonavir at a 2:1 ratio produced no effects on fertility in male and female rats at levels of 10/5, 30/15 or 100/50 mg/kg/day. Based on AUC measurements, the exposures in rats at the high doses were approximately 0.7-fold for lopinavir and 1.8-fold for ritonavir of the exposures in humans at the recommended therapeutic dose (400/100 mg twice daily).

14.1 Adult Patients without Prior Antiretroviral Therapy

Study 863: Lopinavir and Ritonavir Capsules twice daily + stavudine + lamivudine compared to nelfinavir three times daily + stavudine + lamivudine

Study 863 was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial comparing treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir capsules (400/100 mg twice daily) plus stavudine and lamivudine versus nelfinavir (750 mg three times daily) plus stavudine and lamivudine in 653 antiretroviral treatment naïve patients. Patients had a mean age of 38 years (range: 19 to 84), 57% were Caucasian, and 80% were male. Mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 259 cells/mm3 (range: 2 to 949 cells/mm 3) and mean baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.9 log 10 copies/mL (range: 2.6 to 6.8 log 10 copies/mL).

Treatment response and outcomes of randomized treatment are presented in Table 21.

Table 21. Outcomes of Randomized Treatment Through Week 48 (Study 863)

Through 48 weeks of therapy, there was a statistically significantly higher proportion of patients in the lopinavir and ritonavir arm compared to the nelfinavir arm with HIV-1 RNA < 400 copies/mL (75% vs. 62%, respectively) and HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL (67% vs. 52%, respectively). Treatment response by baseline HIV-1 RNA level subgroups is presented in Table 22.

Table 22. Proportion of Responders Through Week 48 by Baseline Viral Load (Study 863)

Through 48 weeks of therapy, the mean increase from baseline in CD4+ cell count was 207 cells/mm 3 for the lopinavir and ritonavir arm and 195 cells/mm 3 for the nelfinavir arm.

Study 730:  Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablets once daily + tenofovir DF + emtricitabine compared to Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablets twice daily + tenofovir DF + emtricitabine

Study 730 was a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial comparing treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir 800/200 mg once daily plus tenofovir DF and emtricitabine versus lopinavir and ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily plus tenofovir DF and emtricitabine in 664 antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either lopinavir and ritonavir 800/200 mg once daily (n = 333) or lopinavir and ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily (n = 331).  Further stratification within each group was 1:1 (tablet vs. capsule). Patients administered the capsule were switched to the tablet formulation at Week 8 and maintained on their randomized dosing schedule. Patients were administered emtricitabine 200 mg once daily and tenofovir DF 300 mg once daily. Mean age of patients enrolled was 39 years (range: 19 to 71); 75% were Caucasian, and 78% were male. Mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 216 cells/mm 3 (range: 20 to 775 cells/mm 3) and mean baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA was 5.0 log 10 copies/mL (range: 1.7 to 7.0 log 10 copies/mL).

Treatment response and outcomes of randomized treatment through Week 48 are presented in Table 23.

Table 23. Outcomes of Randomized Treatment Through Week 48 (Study 730)

Through 48 weeks of therapy, 78% in the lopinavir and ritonavir once daily arm and 77% in the lopinavir and ritonavir twice daily arm achieved and maintained HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL (95% confidence interval for the difference, -5.9% to 6.8%). Mean CD4+ cell count increases at Week 48 were 186 cells/mm 3 for the lopinavir and ritonavir once daily arm and 198 cells/mm3 for the lopinavir and ritonavir twice daily arm.

14.2 Adult Patients with Prior Antiretroviral Therapy

Study 888: Lopinavir and Ritonavir Capsules twice daily + nevirapine + NRTIs compared to investigator-selected protease inhibitor(s) + nevirapine + NRTIs

Study 888 was a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial comparing treatment with lopinavir and ritonavir capsules (400/100 mg twice daily) plus nevirapine and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors versus investigator-selected protease inhibitor(s) plus nevirapine and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in 288 single protease inhibitor-experienced, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-naïve patients. Patients had a mean age of 40 years (range: 18 to 74), 68% were Caucasian, and 86% were male. Mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 322 cells/mm 3 (range: 10 to 1059 cells/mm 3) and mean baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.1 log 10 copies/mL (range: 2.6 to 6.0 log 10 copies/mL).

Treatment response and outcomes of randomized treatment through Week 48 are presented in Table 24.

Table 24. Outcomes of Randomized Treatment Through Week 48 (Study 888)

Through 48 weeks of therapy, there was a statistically significantly higher proportion of patients in the lopinavir and ritonavir arm compared to the investigator-selected protease inhibitor(s) arm with HIV-1 RNA < 400 copies/mL (57% vs. 33%, respectively).

Through 48 weeks of therapy, the mean increase from baseline in CD4+ cell count was 111 cells/mm 3 for the lopinavir and ritonavir arm and 112 cells/mm 3 for the investigator-selected protease inhibitor(s) arm.

Study 802: Lopinavir and Ritonavir Tablets 800/200 mg Once Daily Versus 400/100 mg Twice Daily when Co-administered with Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors in Antiretroviral-Experienced, HIV-1 Infected Subjects

M06-802 was a randomized open-label study comparing the safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of once daily and twice daily dosing of lopinavir and ritonavir tablets in 599 subjects with detectable viral loads while receiving their current antiviral therapy. Of the enrolled subjects, 55% on both treatment arms had not been previously treated with a protease inhibitor and 81 to 88% had received prior NNRTIs as part of their anti-HIV treatment regimen. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either lopinavir and ritonavir 800/200 mg once daily (n = 300) or lopinavir and ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily (n = 299). Patients were administered at least two nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors selected by the investigator. Mean age of patients enrolled was 41 years (range: 21 to 73); 51% were Caucasian, and 66% were male. Mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 254 cells/mm 3 (range: 4 to 952 cells/mm 3) and mean baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.3 log 10 copies/mL (range: 1.7 to 6.6 log 10 copies/mL).

Treatment response and outcomes of randomized treatment through Week 48 are presented in Table 25.

Table 25. Outcomes of Randomized Treatment Through Week 48 (Study 802)