This information will help you to learn about options for HIV treatment. You should always check with your physician before making any changes to your treatment or drug regimen. Ritonavir is a type of antiretroviral drug called a protease inhibitor. It is used to treat HIV, which is a retrovirus.
Retroviruses use the genes in the body's cells to make more virus and infect other cells.
Like other antiretroviral drugs, ritonavir interferes with the life cycle of HIV to stop it from making more virus. The HIV-infected cell makes an enzyme called protease, which cuts apart long chains of proteins and enzymes. The cell then uses these small pieces to make more virus. Ritonavir ties up the protease enzyme to stop it from cutting, and the cell cannot make more virus from the long protein chains. Ritonavir is available in both capsule and liquid form.