Generic name: Darunavir Tablets [ dar-OO-na-veer ]
Other brand names of Darunavir Tablets include: Prezista
Drug class: Protease inhibitors

Uses of Prezista:

• It is used to treat HIV infection.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Prezista?

For all patients taking Prezista (darunavir tablets):

• If you have an allergy to darunavir, ritonavir, or any other part of Prezista (darunavir tablets).
• If you are allergic to Prezista (darunavir tablets); any part of Prezista (darunavir tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you are not taking cobicistat or ritonavir.
• If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with Prezista (darunavir tablets), like certain drugs that are used for high cholesterol, migraines, or mood problems. There are many drugs that must not be taken with Prezista (darunavir tablets).
• If you are taking St. John's wort. Do not take St. John's wort with Prezista (darunavir tablets). This medicine may not work as well.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Prezista (darunavir tablets).

Children:

• If your child is younger than 3 years of age. Do not give to a child younger than 3 years of age.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Prezista (darunavir tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Prezista (darunavir tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Prezista?

For all patients taking Prezista (darunavir tablets):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Prezista (darunavir tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• This medicine interacts with many other drugs. The chance of Prezista (darunavir tablets)'s side effects may be raised or how well Prezista (darunavir tablets) works may be lowered. The chance of the other drugs' side effects may also be raised. This may include very bad, life-threatening, or deadly side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure that it is safe for you to take Prezista (darunavir tablets) with all of your other drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins).
• High blood sugar has happened with Prezista (darunavir tablets). This includes diabetes that is new or worse.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Some people with hemophilia have had times of more bleeding when taking drugs like this one. If you have hemophilia, talk with your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine is not a cure for HIV. Stay under the care of your doctor.
• This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors.
• If you have a sulfa (sulfonamide) allergy, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine is taken with other drugs. Be sure you know about the warnings, benefits, and risks of these other drugs. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about any of the drugs.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking Prezista (darunavir tablets).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Prezista (darunavir tablets) while you are pregnant.

Children:

• If your child's weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of Prezista (darunavir tablets) may need to be changed.

How is this medicine (Prezista) best taken?

Use Prezista (darunavir tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take Prezista (darunavir tablets) with food.
• Take Prezista (darunavir tablets) at the same time as cobicistat or ritonavir as you have been told.
• If you have trouble swallowing, talk with your doctor.
• Keep taking Prezista (darunavir tablets) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of Prezista (darunavir tablets) during treatment.
• Do not take didanosine within 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking Prezista (darunavir tablets).

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Change in body fat.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• Liver problems have rarely happened with Prezista (darunavir tablets). Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking drugs to treat HIV. If you have an infection that you did not know you had, it may show up when you take Prezista (darunavir tablets). Tell your doctor right away if you have any new signs after you start Prezista (darunavir tablets), even after taking it for several months. This includes signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Prezista?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Prezista?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Prezista (darunavir tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• What drugs are contained in the HIV treatment Symtuza?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer