Key takeaways
Prezcobix (darunavir/cobicistat) and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) are both antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV infections, but they have some key differences. Prezcobix combines darunavir, a protease inhibitor, with cobicistat, a booster that helps darunavir work better and last longer in the body. Kaletra, on the other hand, combines two protease inhibitors, lopinavir and ritonavir, with ritonavir acting as a booster for lopinavir. Prezcobix is taken once daily with food, while Kaletra can be taken either once or twice daily and comes in both tablet and oral solution forms. Prezcobix is not recommended during pregnancy, whereas Kaletra tablets are considered safe for pregnant individuals, though the oral solution should be avoided due to its alcohol content. Both medications can raise blood sugar levels and interact with many other medications, but Kaletra also has a higher risk of causing high cholesterol and triglycerides. Additionally, Prezcobix is not recommended for people with sulfa allergies, while Kaletra can be used in children as young as 2 weeks old.
