Before taking darunavir

Before taking darunavir make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have hepatitis B or C.
• If you have liver problems.
• If you have haemophilia (a bleeding disorder) or porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine. This is particularly important if you know you are allergic to an antibacterial medicine known as a sulphonamide.

How to take darunavir

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take darunavir exactly as directed by your doctor. Take it with a meal or within 30 minutes of eating a meal or snack.
• Try to take darunavir at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you forget to take your dose, take it when you remember unless:
  • You usually take darunavir twice a day and you are more than 6 hours late, in which case skip the missed dose and take your next dose when it is due.
  • You usually take darunavir once a day and you are more than 12 hours late, in which case skip the missed dose and take your next dose when it is due.
• Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Darunavir does not reduce the risk of you passing HIV to others through sexual contact so it is important that you use appropriate precautions such as condoms.
• If soon after starting darunavir you develop any infections, redness or swelling, let your doctor know. This may be due to your immune system becoming able to fight infections that were present before you started treatment.
• Keep your regular doctor's appointment so that your progress can be monitored.
• It is important that you continue to take darunavir and your other antiretroviral treatment regularly. Do not stop taking these medicines without speaking to your doctor first, even if you feel well.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
• If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to check your glucose levels more regularly as darunavir may cause worsening of diabetes.
• If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

Can darunavir cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome:

How to store darunavir

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Prezista® 400 mg film-coated tablets, Janssen-Cilag Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2009, accessed June 2010.
• British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)