Key takeaways
Prezista (darunavir) and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) are both antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV infections. They belong to the same drug class, protease inhibitors, which work by blocking a protein called protease to prevent the virus from making copies of itself. However, there are several differences between the two. Prezista is typically taken once a day with ritonavir and food, while Kaletra can be taken once or twice daily, with or without food. Both medications are available as a tablet or an oral liquid. Prezista is safe to take during pregnancy, but Kaletra's oral solution is not recommended during pregnancy because it contains alcohol. Common side effects of Prezista include diarrhea, rash, and nausea, while Kaletra may cause diarrhea, nausea, and high cholesterol levels. Both medications interact with many other drugs, so it's important to discuss all medications you're taking with your prescriber and pharmacist. Prezista contains a sulfa component, so talk to your prescriber if you have a sulfa allergy.
