Kaletra is a combination of two drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir, both of which fall into the drug category known as protease inhibitors. When taken along with other HIV drugs, Kaletra lowers the amount of the virus circulating in the bloodstream. However, it does not completely eradicate the virus, and you may continue to develop the rare infections that attack when the immune system weakens. It's also important to remember that Kaletra does not eliminate the danger of transmitting the virus to others.
Kaletra combats the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the deadly virus that undermines the infection-fighting capacity of the body's immune system, eventually leading to AIDS.
Kaletra is used in combination with other HIV drugs. It should be taken twice a day, in the morning and evening, with food. Do not change the dose or discontinue therapy without consulting your doctor first. If your doctor has also prescribed, you must take Kaletra one hour before or two hours after Videx. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your normal schedule. Never double a dose.
Clinical trials have determined that Kaletra is safe and effective when combined with other drugs, most notably two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It has shown to be effective for HIV-positive patients beginning protease inhibitor therapy for the first time and for those who have tried and failed other protease inhibitors in the past.
For HIV-positive adults beginning anti-HIV drug therapy for the first time, Twice-daily Kaletra is listed as a "preferred" protease inhibitor option by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in its treatment guidelines. Once-daily Kaletra is listed as an "alternative" treatment option.
Many of the currently available protease inhibitors are affected by cross-resistance. This means that, if you've tried and failed a drug regimen in the past that contained a protease inhibitor, your virus might be resistant to Kaletra, although Kaletra has worked well for many people who have failed other protease inhibitors in the past. If you take an anti-HIV drug regimen that contains Kaletra and your virus becomes resistant to the drug, your virus might also be resistant to many of the other protease inhibitors available.

Kaletra Side Effects:

In some patients Kaletra causes a substantial increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, so the doctor will check yours periodically. High triglycerides can lead to a serious condition called pancreatitis. Call your doctor if you develop symptoms of this problem, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Kaletra has been known to raise blood sugar levels, and can even cause diabetes. If you already have diabetes, be sure to monitor your blood sugar carefully and to notify your doctor if your blood sugar becomes difficult to control.
Liver failure, including some fatalities, has been reported among patients on Kaletra. Blood tests in people taking Kaletra may show possible liver problems. People with liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C who take Kaletra may have worsening liver disease. Liver problems including death have occurred in patients taking Kaletra, but it is unclear if Kaletra caused these liver problems because some patients had other illnesses or were taking other medicines.
Some patients taking HIV medications find that their body fat gets redistributed. They may develop a fatty "buffalo hump" on their upper back, suffer breast enlargement, and gain weight in the abdomen. At the same time, they often lose weight in the face, arms, and legs. During treatment with drugs similar to Kaletra, some patients with hemophilia have experienced increased bleeding.
The most common side effects seen in people taking Kaletra are abnormal stools (bowel movements), feeling weak/tired, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Children may sometimes get a skin rash.