NORVIR, generically known as ritonavir, is a medication primarily used in the treatment and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors, which work by blocking the protease enzyme that HIV needs to replicate within the body. Although NORVIR can be used on its own, it is more commonly used in combination with other antiretroviral medications to enhance their effectiveness, a strategy known as "boosting." By inhibiting the enzyme that metabolizes these drugs, NORVIR increases their concentration in the blood, thereby improving the antiviral response while potentially reducing the number of pills a patient needs to take. Introduced in the mid-1990s, NORVIR has played a crucial role in the evolution of HIV treatment regimens, contributing significantly to the transformation of HIV from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition for many individuals.