darunavir, TMC-114 (Prezista)
Type of Drug: Protease Inhibitor
Once HIV has infected a cell and made copies of itself, it uses an enzyme called protease to process itself correctly so it can be released from the cell to infect other cells. Protease inhibitors work by blocking that enzyme.
Approved adult dosing
For those who have taken antiretroviral drugs before: one 600 mg tablet Prezista + one 100 mg capsule Norvir, two times a day
- Morning
Prezista 600 mg
+
Norvir
- Evening
Prezista 600 mg
+
Norvir
For those who have NEVER taken antiretroviral drugs: two 400 mg tablets Prezista + one 100 mg capsule Norvir, once a day
Prezista 400 mg
+
Norvir
Note: Prezista has been available as a 300 mg tablet (dose is two 300 mg tablets + one 100 mg capsule Norvir, two times a day), but this is being phased out.
Notes on taking this medication
- Must take Prezista with Norvir; it is approved only with the use of Norvir
- Must take with food
- Prezista interacts with many other drugs; persons using Prezista with those drugs may need an adjustment to their dose of Prezista or the other drugs; consult your medical provider
Side effects
- Nausea; diarrhea; stomach discomfort
- Rash
- Liver inflammation and increased liver enzyme levels
- Elevations in cholesterol and triglycerides
- Elevated blood sugar
- Abnormal accumulation of body fat
- Persons who are allergic to sulfa drugs may be allergic to Prezista
Summary
Darunavir, TMC-114 (Prezista) is a protease inhibitor drug prescribed for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
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Related Disease Conditions
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection left untreated causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which can infect humans when it comes in contact with tissues that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes, or through a break in the skin. HIV infection is generally a slowly progressive disease in which the virus is present throughout the body at all stages of the disease. Three stages of HIV infection have been described. The initial stage of infection (primary infection), which occurs within weeks of acquiring the virus, often is characterized by the flu- or mono-like illness that generally resolves within weeks. The stage of chronic asymptomatic infection (meaning a long duration of infection without symptoms) lasts an average of eight to 10 years without treatment. The stage of symptomatic infection, in which the body's immune (or defense) system has been suppressed and complications have developed, is called the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The symptoms are caused by the complications of AIDS, which include one or more unusual infections or cancers, severe loss of weight, and intellectual deterioration (called dementia). When HIV grows (that is, by reproducing itself), it acquires the ability to change (mutate) its own structure. These mutations enable the virus to become resistant to previously effective drug therapy. The goals of drug therapy are to prevent damage to the immune system by the HIV virus and to halt or delay the progress of the infection to symptomatic disease. Therapy for HIV includes combinations of drugs that decrease the growth of the virus to such an extent that the treatment prevents or markedly delays the development of viral resistance to the drugs. The best combination of drugs for HIV are those that effectively suppress viral replication in the blood and also are well tolerated and simple to take so that people can take the medications consistently without missing doses.
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AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. Symptoms and signs of AIDS include pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jiroveci, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, seizures, weakness, meningitis, yeast infection of the esophagus, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is used in the treatment of AIDS.
Treatment & Diagnosis
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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
<http://www.hiv.va.gov/vahiv?page=treat-drug-Prezista>