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Darunavir Coupon - Darunavir 800mg tablet

darunavir

Generic Prezista
Used for HIV Treatment
Used for HIV Treatment

Prezista (darunavir) is an oral tablet or suspension that's used as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. It's often taken in combination with a "booster," like ritonavir (Norvir), to help Prezista (darunavir) work better against the virus. Rarely, this medication can cause a skin rash within the first month of treatment, but it typically goes away on its own. Lastly, let your provider know if you have a history of sulfa allergy since Prezista (darunavir) contains a "sulfa" component.

Last reviewed on May 23, 2023
basics-icon

What is Prezista (darunavir)?

What is Prezista (darunavir) used for?

  • Treatment of HIV infection in people aged 3 years and older

How Prezista (darunavir) works

Prezista (darunavir) is a protease inhibitor, which means it blocks a protein called protease. Normally, protease helps to process viral proteins so that the HIV virus can infect healthy cells. By blocking protease from working, Prezista (darunavir) prevents the virus from making copies of itself and spreading.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsPrezista
Drug ClassHIV ARV
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$139.23
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What are the side effects of Prezista (darunavir)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Diarrhea (9-14%)
  • Rash (6-7%)
  • Nausea (4-7%)
  • Headache (3-7%)
  • Stomach pain (6%)
  • Vomiting (2-5%)
Side effects above were reported in adults taking this medication with ritonavir (Norvir). Side effects might differ in children.

Other Side Effects

  • Feeling weak
  • Indigestion
  • Swollen belly
  • Weight loss
  • Feeling tired
  • Excessive gas
  • Muscle pain
  • Irregular dreams
  • Itching

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reactions: facial swelling, hives, rash, itchy skin, blistering or peeling of skin, body aches, trouble breathing
  • Serious liver problems: nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blurred vision

dry mouth

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

skin rash

sweating

trouble breathing

unexplained weight loss

unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Belching

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloating

chills

constipation

cough

dark urine

decreased appetite

diarrhea

difficulty with moving

dizziness

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

fast heartbeat

feeling of fullness

fever

headache

heartburn

indigestion

itching

joint or muscle pain

lack or loss of strength

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

muscle aching or cramping

nausea

passing gas

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

stomach pain or tenderness

swelling of the feet or lower legs

swollen joints

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Muscle pain or stiffness

swelling or puffiness of the face

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Stuffy or runny nose

Less common

Gaining weight around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Prezista (darunavir)

thumbs-up

Pros

Taken once a day by mouth

Available as an oral suspension, so it's convenient if you have trouble swallowing pills

Safe to take during pregnancy

thumbs-down

Cons

Requires regular blood work and lab tests

Interacts with many medications

Must be used carefully in people with sulfa allergies

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Prezista (darunavir)

pharmacist
  • Prezista (darunavir) should always be taken along with ritonavir (Norvir)) and with food. This combination helps to keep higher levels of Prezista (darunavir) in the body, allowing it to work better for you.

    • Get your routine blood tests done on time while you’re taking Prezista (darunavir). Lab work is important to make sure that Prezista (darunavir) works against the virus, and that the medication isn't causing unwanted effects.

      • Prezista (darunavir) oral suspension should be kept in its original container and at room temperature. Remember to shake it before each dose. And use the dosing cup provided to take your dose.

        • Prezista (darunavir) can interact with many medications. Some medications might need to be stopped or the dose changed before you start HIV ARV regimen. Let your provider or pharmacist know what medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements.

          • Prezista (darunavir) might raise your blood sugars. This can lead to or worsen diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's important that you check your blood sugar while taking this medication. Talk to your provider to see if you need additional medications to help control your sugar levels during treatment with Prezista (darunavir).

            • Always follow the directions on your medications. This is extra important for HIV ARV medications. For adults taking Prezista (darunavir), the 800 mg tablet should be taken once a day, but the 600 mg tablet should be taken twice a day.

              • Talk to your provider before stopping Prezista (darunavir) or any of your HIV medications. Doing so can cause the virus to spread and become harder to treat.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Prezista (darunavir)

                Can Prezista (darunavir) be crushed?
                It's probably best not to crush the Prezista (darunavir) tablet. If you have a hard time swallowing the tablet, ask your provider about the oral suspension that you can drink.
                Does Prezista (darunavir) cause liver problems?
                Yes. Some people who take Prezista (darunavir) have experienced liver problems. If you've a history of chronic (long-term) hepatitis B or C infection, you're more likely at risk of severe liver problems, such as liver failure or end stage liver disease. As a result, before and while taking Prezista (darunavir), your provider will order blood tests to make sure this medication is safe for your liver health. Let your provider know right away if you have signs and symptoms of liver problems including dark urine, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, pale colored stools, and pain below your ribs.
                Can I take Prezista (darunavir) if I have a sulfa allergy?
                If you're allergic to sulfa medications, such as furosemide (Lasix), Bactrim, or glipizide, talk to your provider first before using Prezista (darunavir). This is because the chemical structure of Prezista (darunavir) is similar to other sulfa medications, which can raise your risk of an allergic reaction. Let your provider know if you experience itching, skin rash, redness, or swelling while taking this medication.
                Why do I need to take Prezista (darunavir) with ritonavir (Norvir)?
                Prezista (darunavir) should always be taken with a "booster" medication like ritonavir (Norvir). This is because ritonavir (Norvir) slows the breakdown of Prezista (darunavir). This allows Prezista (darunavir) to stay in your body longer at higher levels so that it can work better. Without ritonavir (Norvir), Prezista (darunavir) won't be able to work well, and can cause the HIV virus to become resistant. This means the virus will become much harder to treat.
                Can I take Prezista (darunavir) if I'm pregnant?
                Clinical guidelines recommend that pregnant people with HIV start treatment as soon as possible to lower the risk of transferring the virus to the unborn baby. In general, studies showed that Prezista (darunavir) was well tolerated if taken during pregnancy. If you're pregnant and taking Prezista (darunavir), you’re encouraged to enroll in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR). This registry collects information about your and your baby’s health during treatment with Prezista (darunavir).
                Can I take Prezista (darunavir) if I'm breastfeeding?
                It's recommended to avoid breastfeeding if you have HIV. Doing so can raise the risk of spreading the infection to your baby or worsen their HIV infection. In addition, studies showed that Prezista (darunavir) is found in animal breast milk. Speak to your provider so you can discuss the benefits and risks of receiving this medication while breastfeeding.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Prezista (darunavir)?

                Prezista (darunavir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Liver problems

                • Risk factors: Hepatitis B or C | History of liver problems

                  Prezista (darunavir) can cause life-threatening liver problems. These are more common in the first few months of treatment. Your provider will order blood tests for you before and during treatment so they can make sure this medication is safe for your liver. Let your provider know immediately if you experience signs and symptoms of liver damage, such as feeling sleepy, nausea, loss of appetite, light-colored stool, upper right stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine.

                  risk-warning

                  Severe skin and allergic reactions

                  • Risk factor: Sulfa allergies | Taking Isentress (raltegravir) with Prezista (darunavir) and ritonavir (Norvir)

                    Prezista (darunavir) can sometimes cause rash and other severe skin reactions. In studies, some people developed a rash within the first 4 weeks of treatment. If you have a mild or moderate rash, continue to take Prezista (darunavir) and let your provider know. Oftentimes, the rash goes away on its own. If you have a severe rash or your rash gets worse, talk with your provider right away. In rare cases, if you experience a severe rash with fever, general discomfort, muscle or joint pain, mouth sores, blisters, or facial swelling, stop taking Prezista (darunavir) right away and get medical attention.

                    People with allergies to sulfa medications might experience similar reactions, including rash, with Prezista (darunavir). Make sure your provider and pharmacist know about all of your medication allergies, especially if they are severe.

                    risk-warning

                    Changes in body fat

                    Rarely, people taking HIV medications, such as Prezista (darunavir), have experienced changes in body fat. These changes include fat buildup in the back of the neck, breast, and around the middle of the body. Some people also lost fat from the legs, arms, and face. It's not clear whether Prezista (darunavir) causes these changes to body fat, why this happens, and whether it will affect your health in the future. Let your provider know if these changes occur while you're taking Prezista (darunavir).

                    risk-warning

                    Overactive immune system

                    Taking combination ARV therapy, such as Prezista (darunavir) with other HIV medications, can cause changes to your immune system called immune reconstitution syndrome. This condition happens when your immune system becomes overly active after you start combination therapy. So your immune system begins to fight off different infections that it was too weak to fight off before you started treatment. In rare cases, your immune response might improve too much with treatment that it starts to attack normal cells in your body (autoimmune). You can develop these conditions as early as during the first few weeks of treatment or many months later. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms, such as fever, pain, hair loss, bulging eyes, or sweating, after starting Prezista (darunavir).

                    risk-warning

                    Bleeding

                    • Risk factor: History of bleeding problems

                      Some people with a bleeding condition called hemophilia have had more bleeding after starting protease inhibitors, such as Prezista (darunavir). About half the time, you can continue taking this medication after the bleeding stops. If you have pain and swelling in your joints or bruising on your skin, let your provider know right away. These can be signs of blood buildup under the skin or in your joints.

                      risk-warning

                      Interactions with other medications

                      Some medications can interfere with how well your body gets rid of Prezista (darunavir) from your system. This can affect the amount of Prezista (darunavir) in your body, how well it works, and the risk of side effects.

                      Taking certain HIV medications (e.g., Invirase (saquinavir)) or tuberculosis medication rifampin (Rifadin) can lower the amount of Prezista (darunavir) in your body. This can make Prezista (darunavir) not work as well to treat your HIV. So this combination must be avoided.

                      Prezista (darunavir) also interferes with how your body gets rid of other medications. For example, taking Prezista (darunavir) with medications like alfuzosin (Uroxatral) can raise the amount of alfuzosin in your body. This can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. In addition, taking Prezista (darunavir) with some statins (e.g., lovastatin (Altoprev), simvastatin (Zocor)) can cause your body to absorb more of these statins and raise your risk for serious muscle problems.

                      Because of the potential for serious interactions with Prezista (darunavir) and various medications, tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you take or plan to take. They can make sure your medications are safe to take together.

                      dosage

                      Prezista (darunavir) dosage forms

                      The average cost for 30 tablets of 800mg of Prezista (darunavir) is $2106.37 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 16.49% off the average retail price of $2522.33.
                      tablet
                      Tablet
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      75mg30 tablets$139.23$4.64
                      150mg180 tablets$1508.50$8.38
                      600mg60 tablets$2108.84$35.15
                      800mg30 tablets$2106.37$70.21

                      Typical dosing for Prezista (darunavir)

                      • Adults: The typical dose is 800 mg by mouth once a day taken together with 100 mg ritonavir (Norvir) and food.

                      • Children 3 years and older: The dose will depend on your child's weight.

                        • 10 kg (22 lbs) to less than 15 kg (33 lbs): The dosage ranges from 350 mg to 490 mg by mouth once a day taken together with 64 mg to 96 mg ritonavir (Norvir) and food.

                        • 15 kg (33 lbs) to less than 30 kg (66 lbs): The typical dose is 600 mg by mouth once a day taken together with 100 mg ritonavir (Norvir) and food.

                        • 30 kg (66 lbs) to less than 40 kg (88 lbs): The typical dose is 675 mg by mouth once a day taken together with 100 mg ritonavir (Norvir) and food.

                        • 40 kg (88 lbs) and more: The typical dose is 800 mg by mouth once a day taken together with 100 mg ritonavir (Norvir) with food.

                      Your dose might be different depending on the results of the drug-resistance test. Your dose might also be different if you're pregnant.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Prezista (darunavir) and other drugs

                      Prezista (darunavir) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Prezista (darunavir). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                      How much does Prezista (darunavir) cost?

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                      contraindications-icon

                      Prezista (darunavir) contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Prezista (darunavir) will not be safe for you to take.
                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Prezista (darunavir)?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Prezista (darunavir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Prezista (darunavir)
                      Used for:
                      • Treatment of HIV infection in people aged 3 years and older

                      $139.23 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Used for:
                      • Treatment of HIV infection

                      $66.08 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Used for:
                      • Treatment of HIV infection in adults and children weighing at least 88 pounds

                      $2414.21 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      images

                      Prezista (darunavir) images

                      Blue Oval Da800 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      This medicine is Blue, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "Da800".Blue Oval Da800 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      Red Oval D And 800 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      This medicine is Red, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "D" And "800".Red Oval D And 800 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      White Oblong C244 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      This medicine is White, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "C244".White Oblong C244 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      Brown Oval 800 And M - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      This medicine is Brown, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "800" And "M".Brown Oval 800 And M - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      Beige Oval 1217 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      This medicine is Beige, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "1217".Beige Oval 1217 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      White Oblong C244 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet
                      This medicine is White, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "C244".White Oblong C244 - Darunavir 800mg Tablet

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). What is hemophilia?

                      Clinical Info HIV.gov. (n.d.). Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).

                      Clinical Info HIV.gov. (n.d.). Protease.

                      View All References (8)

                      Clinical Info HIV.gov. (2023). Laboratory testing.

                      Clinical Info HIV.gov. (2023). Recommendations for the use of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and interventions to reduce perinatal HIV transmission in the United States.

                      HIVinfo.NIH.gov. (2021). Drug resistance.

                      HIVinfo.NIH.gov. (2023). Drug database: Darunavir.

                      Janssen Products LP. (2023). Prezista- darunavir tablet, film coated; darunavir suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2017). Prevention of perinatal HIV transmission.

                      National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Darunavir. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.

                      Thapa, S., et al. (2023). Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. StatPearls.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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