Prezista (Darunavir)

What is Prezista?

Prezista belongs to the class of Protease Inhibitors, which is a group of HIV medicines. It is an antiviral medication.

What is Prezista used for?

Prezista is recommended for patients suffering from HIV, which can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, it is to be noted that this medicine is not meant for the cure of HIV or AIDS.

How does Prezista work?

The HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cells present in our body are not allowed to multiply, by the Prezista pills.

How to use Prezista

Those patients, who have previously taken any antiretroviral drugs, can take one 600 mg tablet of Prezista, along with one 100 mg capsule of Norvir; and these medications can be taken two times a day.

Patients, who have never taken any antiretroviral drugs earlier, should take two 400 mg tablets of Prezista, along with one 100 mg capsule of Norvir; and these medications must be taken only once a day.

Prezista should be taken with food.

Prezista warnings and precautions

Patients, who are allergic to any sulfa drugs, are not advised to take this medicine, as they may be allergic to the latter also.

Prezista cannot prevent HIV from spreading; therefore, one should have safe sex and should not share needles or razors, particularly, while taking this drug.

Before taking this medicine, give a history of any liver disease, diabetes, bleeding disorder, or high cholesterol, to the doctor.

What do I do if I have missed a Prezista dose?

If you have missed your Prezista dose you should take it just as soon as you remember. But, if it is already time for the next dose, then, do not take the missed one.

What do I do if I have taken a Prezista overdose?

If you have taken a Prezista overdose you should immediately consult your doctor.

Prezista interactions

If you are already taking any other medicine, inform your doctor about them, before taking Prezista.

There are many other drugs that can interact with Prezista, like, antibiotics, antifungal and antidepressant medicines, beta-blockers, blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering and heart rhythm medicines, diabetes medicines taken orally, or any other HIV or AIDS medicines.

Consult your doctor, before taking any of these medicines with Prezista, concurrently.

Also, if one has to take didanosine along with Prezista, it is advisable to take the former either one hour before, or two hours after taking Prezista.

Prezista side effects

• If the consumption of this medicine results in any kind of allergy like hives, trouble in breathing, or swelling on face or lips, then consult your doctor, without delay.
• Other side effects of Prezista are fever or headache accompanied by a lot of blistering, peeling, extreme thirst and increased trips of urination.
• Red skin rashes are a major side effect of this drug. Even if a mild rash is seen on the skin, immediately stop taking the medicine and call your doctor for further guidance.
• Some new infections can rise up due to the consumption of Prezista like, chills, cough or flu symptoms, frequent bleeding or bruising, pain in upper stomach, which can also spread to your back, nausea or vomiting, fast heartbeat, dark colored urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice.
• Also, one may suffer from liver inflammation or increased liver enzyme levels after taking Prezista. High levels of cholesterol, and triglycerides, increased blood sugar and unusual body fat accumulating in the body, are some other side effects of Prezista.