Pronunciation:

dar-UE-na-vir

Brand Names:

• Prezista

Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antiretroviral Agent

Pharmacologic—

Protease Inhibitor

Uses of This Medicine:

Darunavir is used in combination with ritonavir (Norvir®) and other medicines in the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is given to patients who have already had previous treatment for HIV .

Darunavir will not cure HIV infection or prevent AIDS. It helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay problems that are usually related to AIDS or HIV disease from occurring. Darunavir will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have other problems related to AIDS or HIV disease .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of darunavir in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of darunavir in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver problems, which may require caution in patients receiving darunavir .

Pregnancy—

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Astemizole
• Cisapride
• Dihydroergotamine
• Ergonovine
• Ergotamine
• Methylergonovine
• Midazolam
• Pimozide
• Terfenadine
• Triazolam

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)—May increase the amount of sugar in the blood .

• Hemophilia (a bleeding problem)—May increase the chance of bleeding .

• Liver disease or other liver problems (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis) or
• Sulfa allergy, known or suspected—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse .

Proper Use of This Medicine:

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor first. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine .

This medicine is always taken with ritonavir (Norvir®). Take these two medicines at the same time, unless your doctor tells you otherwise .

It is important that darunavir be taken with food in order to work properly .

Swallow the tablet whole with water or milk. Do not crush, break, or chew it .

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine by more than 6 hours, wait and take your next dose at the normal time. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine by less than 6 hours, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next dose at the normal time. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose .

This medicine comes with a patient package insert. Read and follow this insert carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions .

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For treatment of HIV infection:
    • Adults—600 milligrams (mg) two times a day with 100 mg of ritonavir (Norvir®).
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

Do not use this medicine if you are also using astemizole (Hismanal®), terfenadine (Seldane®), cisapride (Propulsid®), pimozide (Orap®), midazolam (Versed®), triazolam (Halcion®), or ergot medicines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, Cafergot®, D.H.E. 45®, Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Ergotrate®, Methergine®, Migranal®, or Wigraine®) .

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines, and herbal (e.g., St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements .

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem .

This medicine may increase blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests .

Birth control pills may not work as well while you are using darunavir. To keep from getting pregnant, use an additional form of birth control along with your pills. Other forms of birth control include condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams or jellies .

When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger. If you have certain infections, such as Pneumocystis pneumonia or tuberculosis, you may notice new symptoms when your body tries to fight them. If this occurs, be sure to tell your doctor .

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; chills; cough; diarrhea; itching; joint or muscle pain; red skin lesions, often with a purple center; skin rash; sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips; or unusual tiredness or weakness .

This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand this and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV, by using a latex condom or other barrier method. This medicine will also not keep you from giving HIV to other people if they are exposed to your blood. Do not re-use or share needles with anyone .

This medicine may cause you to have excess body fat. Tell your doctor if you notice changes in your body shape, such as an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck, or around the chest and stomach area. You might also lose fat from the legs, arms, and face .

Tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine before you have any medical tests. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine .

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blurred vision

dry mouth

fatigue

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

skin rash

sweating

troubled breathing

unexplained weight loss

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chills

clay colored stools

cough

dark urine

decreased appetite

diarrhea

dizziness

fever

headache

itching

joint or muscle pain

loss of appetite

nausea and vomiting

red, irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

swelling of feet or lower legs

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Muscle aches

stuffy or runny nose

Less common

Constipation

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

gaining weight around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.