Darunavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults and children 3 years of age and older in conjunction with a pharmacokinetic booster (a drug that boosts the absorption of other drugs in the body), such as ritonavir (Norvir) or cobicistat (Tybost). Protease inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes darunavir. It functions by lowering the level of HIV in the blood. Darunavir does not treat HIV, but it may lessen your risk of getting AIDS and other diseases connected to HIV, such as cancer or serious infections. The risk of spreading the HIV virus to others may be reduced by taking these medications, engaging in safer sexual behaviour, and changing other aspects of one’s lifestyle.

Darunavir is available as a liquid oral solution and tablet for oral consumption. It is typically given with food and either once or twice day with ritonavir or once daily with cobicistat. Darunavir should be taken every day at about the same time(s). Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Darunavir should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Darunavir should not be taken without ritonavir or cobicistat.

Do not split, chew, or crush the tablets or capsules; instead, swallow them whole.

Before each usage, thoroughly shake the suspension to equally distribute the drug. To take the appropriate dosage of suspension from the bottle, use the oral dosing syringe that was provided with the medicine. Straight from the syringe, you can consume the suspension. After use, rinse the syringe with water and let it completely dry.

Although not curing HIV, darunavir manages the disease. Darunavir must always be administered in conjunction with a full regimen because it cannot treat HIV infection on its own. In order for the meds to continue to function to manage the infection, it is crucial that you take all of the prescription drugs your doctor has prescribed to treat your HIV infection at the same time. Darunavir should still be taken even if you are feeling OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking darunavir. Your disease may get harder to treat if you stop taking darunavir or skip doses. Ask your doctor or chemist for more darunavir when you start to run low on it.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your chemist or doctor.

Darunavir is occasionally used to stop HIV infection in healthcare professionals or other individuals who were unintentionally exposed to the virus. The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking darunavir,

• If you have any allergies to darunavir, sulfa drugs, other drugs, or any of the ingredients in darunavir tablets or suspension, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. If you are unsure if a drug you are allergic to is a sulfa medication, ask your chemist for a list of the ingredients.
• Inform your physician if you are using any of the following drugs: dronedarone (Multaq); elbasvir/grazoprevir (Zepatier); alfuzosin (Uroxatral); cisapride (Propulsid), which is unavailable in the United States; ergot-type drugs such as lomitapide (Juxtapid), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot), and methylergonovine (Methergine); Lurasidone (Latuda), midazolam (administered orally), pimozide (Orap), ranolazine (Ranexa), lovastatin (Mevacor, in Advicor); lurasidone (Mevacor, in Advicor); sildenafil (only Revatio brand used for lung illness); simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); triazolam or St. John’s wort (Halcion). Most likely, your doctor will advise against taking darunavir. Also, your doctor generally won’t let you use darunavir if you have kidney or liver illness and are taking colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, in Col-Probenecid).
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements that you now take or intend to use. Make certain to bring up any of the following: Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and posaconazole (Noxafil) are examples of anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”); artemether/lumefantrine (Coartem); itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), ketolconazole (Nizoral); beta-blockers like carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol, in Lopressor HCT), and timolol (Betimol, Istalol, in Combigan, in Cosopt, among others); betamethasone; boceprevir (no longer available in the United States; Victrelis); and bosentan (Tracleer); b uprenorphine (Belbuca, Buprenex, Butrans, in Suboxone, and other brands); buprenorphine/naloxone (Bunavail, Suboxone, Zubsolv); budesonide (Entocort, Pulmicort, Uceris, and other brands); buspirone;  calcium-channel blockers such verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan, in Tarka), amlodipine (Norvasc, in Caduet), diltiazem (Cardizem CD, Cartia, XT, Diltzac, among others), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), and nifedipine (Adalat CC, Afebitab CR, Procardia); cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) such atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), pravastatin (Pravachol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor); ciclesonide (Alvesco); some chemotherapy drugs like dasatinib (Sprycel), nilotinib (Tasigna), vinblastine, and vincristine (Marqibo Kit); a few antidepressants, including amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), and trazodone; clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); estazolam, fentanyl (Abstral, Duragesic, Subsys), dexamethasone, diazepam (Diastat, Valium), fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent, in Advair); a few hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs, including glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret) and simeprevir (no longer sold in the US; Olysio); hormonal (oestrogen) contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, or injections), such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), maraviroc (Selzentry), and saquinavir (Invirase); drugs such as amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), bepridil (no longer sold in the United States), digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide, lidocaine (Xylocaine), mexiletine, propafenone (Rythmol), and quinidine (in Nuedexta); certain seizure drugs, such as phenobarbital, clonazepam, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), as well as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, and others); a few immunosuppressive drugs, including tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), everolimus (Afinitor), and cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); methylprednisolone, mometasone (Asmanex), omeprazole (Prilosec), oxycodone (Xtampza), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); perphenazine; prednisone (Rayos); certain phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) used to treat erectile dysfunction, including avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn); salmeterol (Serevent, in Advair), quetiapine (Seroquel), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifapentine (Priftin), risperidone (Risperdal), tadalafil (Adcirca), thioridazine, ticagrelor (Brilinta), tramadol (Conzip); zolpidem with triamcinolone (Nasacort) (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo). Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, since many other drugs may also interact with darunavir. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Take didanosine (Videx) 1 hour prior to or 2 hours following your dose of darunavir if you’re taking it.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have had had hepatitis, haemophilia (a bleeding disorder where the blood does not clot properly), diabetes, or high blood sugar (swelling of the liver caused by a virus), any other liver condition, including cirrhosis, which causes liver tissue to scar, as well as persistent or recurrent infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV; a viral infection that may cause symptoms in patients with weak immune systems), pneumonia, tuberculosis, or mycobacterium avium complex illness (MAC), a bacterial infection that can have devastating side effects in patients with AIDS (TB; a type of lung infection).
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking darunavir. If you have HIV or are taking darunavir, don’t breastfeed.
• Darunavir may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives, therefore you should be aware of it (birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, or implants). While taking this medicine, discuss with your doctor the use of a non-hormonal birth control technique, such as a barrier method (device that prevents sperm from entering the uterus, such as a condom or a diaphragm). Ask your doctor to assist you in selecting a birth control technique that will be effective for you.
• You should be aware that your body fat can change or accumulate in several places, including your breasts, upper back, neck, chest, and abdomen. It is also possible to lose fat from the face, arms, and legs.
• You should be aware that even if you do not currently have diabetes, you could develop hyperglycemia (increases in blood sugar) while taking this drug. If you have any of the following side effects while taking darunavir: severe thirst, frequent urination, intense hunger, blurred vision, or weakness, call your doctor right away. Calling your doctor as soon as you experience any of these symptoms is crucial because untreated high blood sugar can result in the deadly disease known as ketoacidosis. If ketoacidosis is not treated right away, it could become life-threatening. Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, and diminished consciousness are all signs of ketoacidosis.
• You should be aware that when you take HIV medicine, your immune system could become stronger and start to fight other infections that were already present in your body. You might begin to exhibit signs of those infections as a result of this. At any time during your darunavir therapy, be sure to let your doctor know if you experience any new or worsening symptoms.

Consult your doctor before consuming grapefruits or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

It’s crucial that you take cobicistat consistently and on a daily basis, along with any other HIV medications your doctor has given. The effectiveness of the medications in treating the infection may be compromised by missed doses. Without consulting your doctor, never stop taking any of these medications.

Darunavir could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Stop taking darunavir and contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or seek emergency medical attention:

• Rash
• Blistered or flaking skin
• Oral sores
• Teary, red, itchy, or swollen eyes
• An aching muscle or joint
• Fever
• Infection symptoms like swelling, soreness, redness, or other symptoms
• Nausea
• Extreme fatigue
• Reduced hunger
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• The skin or irises becoming yellow
• Dark or light stools

Further negative effects of darunavir are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To ensure that taking darunavir is safe for you and to monitor how your body is responding to darunavir, your doctor will request a number of tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.