Darunavir and its Uses

In 2006, Darunavir was approved for medical use in the United States. Darunavir is of the protease inhibitor (PI) class which works by blocking Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)protease. This medication (Darunavir) is an Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) antiviral drug.

Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council (DHHS) has recommended this medication (Darunavir) for adult patients and adolescents, regardless of whether they have taken Human Immunodeficiency Virus treatment in the past. On the basis of the several case studies of patients that had never received Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment, darunavir was as effective as lopinavir/ritonavir at 96 weeks with a once-daily dosing.
 

This (DRV) antiretroviral medication was approved by the FDA on 21 October 2008 for those people who have not been previously treated for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) . Like other antiretrovirals, this antiretroviral (darunavir) does not cure HIV/AIDS.
 

This medication is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) infection in adults and also in children who are three years of age and older when co-administered with ritonavir, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
 

DRV (Darunavir), basically sold under the brand name Prezista. This antiretroviral medication is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals.

It should be used with low doses of cobicistat or ritonavir in order to enhance the grade of darunavir.

This protease inhibitor is generally well tolerated by people but still sometimes it may leave some adverse effects on the patients who are with this medication. Most common side effects of Darunavir are as follows:

1. Diarrhea
2. Vomiting
3. Headache
4. Abdominal pain
5. Constipation
6. High blood sugar
7. Muscle pain
8. Diabetes or worsening of diabetes
9. Tenderness or weakness,
10. Rash is the most common side effect
11. Darunavir 600 mg is also responsible for allergic reactions, and people allergic to ritonavir can also have a reaction to darunavir.
12. Patients with darunavir 800 mg and also other protease inhibitors increased bleeding also have been reported in those people who carried hemophilia.
13. Changes in body fat have been also reported in some patients receiving medications for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The changes include:

• Loss of fat from legs
• Loss of fat from arms and face
• Increased fat in the abdomen
• And, Breast enlargement.

Interaction of Darunavir may occur with medications received by people with HIV/AIDS such as other antiretrovirals, and antacids such as H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors.
The effect of darunavir 800 mg may be reduced when this medication comes in contact with St. John's wort.
Because, St. John's wort works by increasing the breakdown of darunavir by the metabolic enzyme CYP3A.

Darunavir 600 mg when Co-administered with ritonavir, always should be consumed with food. Patients should be suggested to receive Darunavir and ritonavir with the food every time as prescribed by their healthcare provider. All the respective patients should be recommended to gulp the whole tablets with the help of drink which could be milk or water. Darunavir 800 mg & 600 mg for HIV treatment should always be used with ritonavir (NORVIR) in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.