What is Darunavir?
Darunavir, an antiviral medication used to treat HIV, is a medicine called (human immunodeficiency virus."HIV can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome and AIDS. Darunavir does not cure HIV or AIDS. Darunavir should be taken in conjunction with ritonavir as well as other antiviral drugs, not alone. Darunavir can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Darunavir
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction to the skin (fever or sore throat with burning eyes, skin rashes, blisters, and peeling), seek emergency medical attention.
Darunavir can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Skin rashes of any degree, no matter how mild, constitute skin lesions.
- High sugar; increased thirst; increased urination; dry mouth and fruity breath odor are signs that it might be time for diabetic care.
- Signs of liver or pancreas disease include: loss of appetite; stomach pain that may extend to the back; nausea and vomiting; rapid heart rate; dark urine; and jaundice.
Darunavir can affect your immune system and cause side effects. These may occur even weeks or months after taking darunavir. Tell your doctor about:
- Signs of an infection: fever, sweats at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores, coughing, wheezing, and diarrhea.
- If you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, have problems with balance, eye movements, or weakness, or feel prickles or prickly, then it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Impotence, menstrual changes, swelling of the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)
Darunavir side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain;
- Headache;
- Rash;
- Changes in the shape or location (especially of your arms, legs, and breasts), as well as changes in the amount of body fat.
There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for FDA reporting of possible incidents call 800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
If you experience a severe reaction to this medication, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Darunavir should not be taken with certain drugs. Darunavir may cause liver damage. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: Upper stomach pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine or clay-colored stool, or yellowing skin or eyes
Before you take this drug
Darunavir should not be taken if you suffer from severe liver disease.
Darunavir should not be taken with certain drugs. You may need to change your treatment plan if you use:
- Alfuzosin;
- Cisapride;
- Colchicine
- Dronedarone;
- Elbasvir and grazoprevir
- Lurasidone;
- Naloxegol;
- Pimozide;
- Rifampin;
- Sildenafil is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (revatio).
- John's wort;
- Triazolam or oral midazolam;
- Heart medicine—ivabradine, ranolazine;
- Cholesterol medication—lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin,
- Ergot medicines—dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, and methylergonovine.
Inform your doctor immediately of any of the following issues:
- Hepatitis b and c (especially) are liver diseases.
- Diabetes;
- A bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia.
- An allergy to sulfa drugs.
Use all medications to control your infection while pregnant. You may have your name listed on a registry of antiviral pregnant women. Darunavir may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception. This includes birth-control pills and other birth-control methods such as skin patches, vaginal rings, or injections. Use a barrier birth control method to prevent pregnancy when taking darunavir. These include a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap. Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV. Breast milk can transmit the virus to your child. Darunavir or ritonavir shouldn't be given to a young child under 3 years of age or a small child weighing less than 22 pounds (or 10 kilograms).
How to take Darunavir?
Read all the instructions and directions that come with your medication. Darunavir should be taken with ritonavir or other antiviral drugs. Follow the instructions on how to use this medicine. Weight is used to determine the dose for children. If your child loses or gains weight, the dose may change. Darunavir is most effective when taken with food. Darunavir should be taken with ritonavir at the same time each day. Do not chew or crush the tablet. Shake the orally dispersible suspension. Use the syringe provided or a dosage-measuring tool (not a spoon) to measure a dose. Medical tests will be required frequently. All HIV medications should be taken as prescribed. Do not stop taking a medication or change the dose without consulting your doctor. Continue to be under the doctor's care. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once. Darunavir should always be taken with ritonavir. Refill your prescription before you run out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Darunavir does not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Consult your doctor about how to avoid HIV transmission while sexing. It is not safe to share syringes or needles for drugs or medicines.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, causing side effects or making them less effective. Take your Darunavir dose at least 2 hours before you take Didanosine or Videx. Darunavir can interact with many drugs. Some drugs should never be taken together. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you take. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
