PREZISTA (DARUNAVIR)

Prezista Description

Prezista or generic Darunavir is a protease inhibitor (PI) that may be prescribed as part of your treatment for the human immunodeficiency virus, known as HIV. You will combine Prezista with a prescribed dose of Ritonavir as well. Prezista will not protect you from transmitting HIV to others so caution must be used regarding exposure to your bodily fluids. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

How This HIV Drug Works in Your Body

Prezista is primarily metabolized (processed and used) by an enzyme called CYP3A, while Ritonavir is taken to inhibit this enzyme so the plasma concentrations are increased with the amount of Prezista. This helps in blocking an HIV enzyme called protease so the virus is unable to make new viruses. The action of Prezista and Ritonavir results in lowering your viral load so your CD4 cells are able to increase in number in order to help fight other opportunistic infections from taking hold while your immune system is impaired by HIV.

What is a Retrovirus?

HIV is a retrovirus, which means that it needs to hi-jack a cell in order to multiply. The cells that HIV looks for have proteins on their surface called CD4 receptors. The virus binds to these cells and hides their own DNA inside so when this cell replicates, it is actually producing a new HIV cell. This action repeats itself and your immune system becomes weakened as your CD4 cell count is slowly decreased.

Once diagnosed, you are usually prescribed a combination of HIV drugs that attacks the virus during different stages of multiplying. The reason for more than one or two drugs is in case HIV becomes resistant to any of the medications; then there are still drugs in your system that can fight to decrease your viral load.

Prezista is not a cure for HIV, but it will help to reduce the symptoms and allow you to carry on with your daily activities. By keeping the amount of HIV in your blood at a decreased level, you can avoid complications from this virus, including its progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Before You Take Prezista

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding before taking Prezista as there may be health risks to your unborn or nursing baby. Your doctor may recommend using birth control to avoid pregnancy whether it is you taking or your partner taking Prezista.

Prezista Precautions

Make certain your doctor is aware of other medical conditions you have and all current non-prescription medications and Rx drugs you are taking, including herbal preparations and vitamin supplements. Combining any medication with Prezista could cause an adverse reaction or influence its efficacy.

Possible Side Effects of Prezista

• Skin rash
• Dry mouth
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Headache
• Mild nausea or stomach pain
• Skin rash