What is Prezista? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Prezista

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Darunavir is used with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

• Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

• Tablet: Swallow whole with water or milk. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the bottle well before each use.

• Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the oral liquid in its original container. Do not refrigerate or freeze it.

• Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

• Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the oral liquid in its original container. Do not refrigerate or freeze it.

• Darunavir is used with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day and in the correct order. Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the bottle well before each use.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

• Tablet: Swallow whole with water or milk. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Prezista

Prezista contraindications - Who shouldn't take Prezista?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to darunavir or ritonavir.

Prezista warnings

• Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. This could cause a hidden infection in your body to become active. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy when used with this medicine. Use another form of birth control (including condoms or spermicide) along with your pills.

• Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease (including hepatitis or cirrhosis), diabetes, or hemophilia. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsSerious skin reactionsHigh blood sugar levels, which could become permanentIncreased risk of bleeding

Prezista interactions & what to avoid when taking Prezista

• Do not use this medicine if you are also using alfuzosin, cisapride, dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, elbasvir/grazoprevir, ergotamine, ivabradine, lomitapide, lovastatin, lurasidone, methylergonovine, naloxegol, oral midazolam, pimozide, ranolazine, rifampin, sildenafil, simvastatin, St John's wort, or triazolam. Do not use this medicine together with colchicine if you have kidney or liver disease.

• Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Birth control pill that contains drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, or norethindroneMedicine to treat mental illness (including quetiapine)Steroid medicine (including betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, mometasone, triamcinolone) Your doctor may recommend using other similar medicines or may change your dose if you are using these medicines together with darunavir/cobicistat.

• Many other drugs can interact with darunavir. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

• If you also use didanosine, take it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.

• This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.