Prezista (darunavir)

Antiviral-HIV (Antiretroviral) Protease Inhibitors Oral Suspension, Oral (Final Dose Form); Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Darunavir, an antiretroviral agent, is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor (PI).

Darunavir, a nonpeptidic sulfonamide derivative, inhibits replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by interfering with HIV protease. During HIV replication, HIV protease cleaves viral polypeptide products of the gag and gag-pol genes to form structural proteins of the virion core and essential viral enzymes. By interfering with the formation of these essential proteins and enzymes, darunavir blocks maturation of the virus and causes formation of nonfunctional, immature, noninfectious virions.

Darunavir-resistant HIV-1, including strains with decreased susceptibility to other HIV protease inhibitors (PIs), have been reported. Varying degrees of cross-resistance occurs among HIV PIs. Although some HIV-1 isolates resistant to atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and/or tipranavir have remained susceptible to darunavir, some clinical isolates with reduced susceptibility to darunavir have been resistant to atazanavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, and nelfinavir.

Only limited cross-resistance appears to occur between tipranavir and darunavir.

Darunavir is extensively metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzyme system, principally CYP3A, and must be administered with a pharmacokinetic enhancer (pharmacokinetic booster) to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. Darunavir should be administered with low-dose ritonavir (ritonavir-boosteddarunavir). Because ritonavir is a strong inhibitor of CYP3A, concomitant administration with darunavir results in increased peak plasma concentrations and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of the HIV PI.

The antiretroviral activity of ritonavir-boosted darunavir is due to darunavir.

Food increases oral bioavailability of darunavir. Compared with administration in the fasting state, administration of ritonavir-boosted darunavir (given as single-entity darunavir tablets and single-entity ritonavir) with food increases peak plasma concentrations and AUC of darunavir by approximately 40%. Darunavir has a half-life of 15 hours after administration of ritonavir-boosted darunavir.

The drug is eliminated principally in feces (80%) and urine (14%).

USES: This drug is used with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life.

Darunavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors. Darunavir must be given with certain other medications (such as cobicistat, ritonavir) to increase ("boost") the levels of darunavir. This helps darunavir work better.

Darunavir is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor.

Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This medication is not recommended for use in children younger than 3 years due to the increased risk of serious side effects.

Generic name: darunavir
Pronunciation: (dar-YOU-nah-veer)
Drug class: Antiviral-HIV (Antiretroviral) Protease Inhibitors
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Prezista:

  • Hiv Infection

Also known as: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Dosing

Single-entity darunavir is commercially available as an oral suspension and tablets containing darunavir ethanolate; dosage is expressed in terms of darunavir.

Drug interactions

Darunavir must be used with a pharmacokinetic enhancer (i.e., low-dose ritonavir); drug interactions associated with both darunavir and the pharmacokinetic enhancer should be considered.

Contraindications

*Concomitant use of ritonavir-boosted darunavir with drugs highly dependent on cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme CYP3A for metabolism and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events.

*Examples of drugs contraindicated for administration with ritonavir-boosted darunavir include: alfuzosin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, rifampin, lurasidone, pimozide, dronedarone, ivabradine, ranolazine, dihydroergotamine (DHE), ergotamine, methylergonovine, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), the fixed combination of elbasvir and grazoprevir (elbasvir/grazoprevir), lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin, naloxegol, orally administered midazolam and triazolam, and sildenafil (Revatio(R)) for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects of at least moderate intensity (greater than or equal to Grade 2) reported in more than 5% of patients receiving ritonavir-boosted darunavir in conjunction with other antiretrovirals are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and rash.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
HIV infection
B20ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease
B97.35ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus, type 2 [HIV 2] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
O98.7ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
O98.71ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy
O98.711ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, first trimester
O98.712ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, second trimester
O98.713ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, third trimester
O98.719ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, unspecified trimester
O98.72ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating childbirth
O98.73ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating the puerperium
Z21ICD10CMAsymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIv] infection status

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data