Objective: Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) exposure is decreased in children after crushing the tablets. Whether exposure is also decreased in adult patients is not known. This study evaluated the exposure of LPV/RTV in adult patients after administration of crushed LPV/RTV tablets.
Methods: Blood samples were drawn from patients with COVID-19 who were receiving crushed LPV/RTV 400/100 mg tablets twice daily.
Results: Plasma concentrations for 11 patients with COVID-19 (eight men, mean age 62.6 years) were included. The measured plasma concentrations of LPV were substantially higher than reported for patients with HIV.
Conclusions: There is adequate exposure from crushed LPV/RTV tablets, but because of limited experience, therapeutic drug monitoring is still advised.
Keywords: COVID-19; HIV; critical care; drug administration routes; virology.
© European Association of Hospital Pharmacists 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. Published by BMJ.