Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Protease Inhibitor [EPC], HIV Protease Inhibitors [MoA], Cytochrome P450 3A Inhibitors [MoA], Cytochrome P450 2D6 Inhibitors [MoA]
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 670026
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Darunavir, co-administered with ritonavir (darunavir/ritonavir), in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in adult and pediatric patients 3 years of age and older [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Darunavir is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) protease inhibitor indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adult and pediatric patients 3 years of age and older. Darunavir must be co-administered with ritonavir (darunavir/ritonavir) and with other antiretroviral agents. ( 1 )
About this medicine
Darunavir is an inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) protease. Darunavir tablets contain the active ingredient darunavir which has the following chemical name: [(1S,2R)-3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl](2-methylpropyl)amino]-2-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)propyl]-carbamic acid (3R,3aS,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-yl ester. Its molecular formula is C 27 H 37 N 3 O 7 S and its molecular weight is 547.67. Darunavir has the following structural formula: Darunavir is a white to creamish with pink tint powder. It is freely soluble in acetonitrile, insoluble in water. Darunavir tablets are for oral administration and contain following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, talc and titanium dioxide. Additionally, each 600 mg and 800 mg tablet contains ferrosoferric oxide, iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow. All strengths for darunavir are expressed in terms of the free form of darunavir. Image
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Darunavir is an HIV-1 antiviral drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] .
Who should not take it
Co-administration of darunavir/ritonavir is contraindicated with drugs that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events (narrow therapeutic index). Examples of these drugs and other contraindicated drugs (which may lead to reduced efficacy of darunavir) are listed below [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3 )] . Due to the need for co-administration of darunavir with ritonavir, please refer to ritonavir prescribing information for a description of ritonavir contraindications. Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: alfuzosin Anti-gout: colchicine, in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment Antimycobacterial: rifampin Antipsychotics: lurasidone, pimozide Cardiac Disorders: dronedarone, ivabradine, ranolazine Ergot derivatives, e.g. dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine Herbal product: St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) Hepatitis C direct acting antiviral: elbasvir/grazoprevir Lipid modifying agents: lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin Opioid Antagonist: naloxegol PDE-5 inhibitor: sildenafil when used for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension Sedatives/hypnotics: orally administered midazolam, triazolam Co-administration of darunavir/ritonavir is contraindicated with drugs that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events (narrow therapeutic index). ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
Drug-induced hepatitis (e.g., acute hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis) has been reported with darunavir/ritonavir. Monitor liver function before and during therapy, especially in patients with underlying chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or in patients who have pre-treatment elevations of transaminases. Post-marketing cases of liver injury, including some fatalities, have been reported. ( 5.2 ) Skin reactions ranging from mild to severe, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, have been reported. Discontinue treatment if severe reaction develops. ( 5.3 ) Use with caution in patients with a known sulfonamide allergy. ( 5.4 ) Patients may develop new onset diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia. Initiation or dose adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may be required. ( 5.6 ) Patients may develop redistribution/accumulation of body fat or immune reconstitution syndrome. ( 5.7 , 5.8 ) Patients with hemophilia may develop increased bleeding events. ( 5.9 ) Darunavir/ritonavir is not recommended in pediatric patients below 3 years of age in view of toxicity and mortality observed in juvenile rats dosed with darunavir up to days 23 to 26 of age. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Importance of Co-administration with Ritonavir Darunavir must be co-administered with ritonavir and food to achieve the desired antiviral effect. Failure to administer darunavir with ritonavir and food may result in a loss of efficacy of darunavir. Please refer to ritonavir prescribing information for additional information on precautionary measures. 5.2 Hepatotoxicity Drug-induced hepatitis (e.g., acute hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis) has been reported with darunavir/ritonavir. During the clinical development program (N=3,063), hepatitis was reported in 0.5% of patients receiving combination therapy with darunavir/ritonavir. Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis B or C, have an increased risk for liver function abnormalities including severe hepatic adverse events. Post-marketing cases of liver injury, including some fatalities, have been reported. […]
Reported side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of labeling: Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Severe Skin Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Diabetes Mellitus/Hyperglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Fat Redistribution [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Immune Reconstitution Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Hemophilia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Due to the need for co-administration of darunavir with ritonavir, please refer to ritonavir prescribing information for ritonavir-associated adverse reactions. The most common clinical adverse drug reactions to darunavir/ritonavir (incidence greater than or equal to 5%) of at least moderate intensity (greater than or equal to Grade 2) were diarrhea, nausea, rash, headache, abdominal pain and vomiting. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-304-5011 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Treatment Naïve-Adults: TMC114-C211 The safety assessment is based on all safety data from the Phase 3 trial TMC114-C211 comparing darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily versus lopinavir/ritonavir 800/200 mg per day in 689 antiretroviral treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected adult subjects. The total mean exposure for subjects in the darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily arm and in the lopinavir/ritonavir 800/200 mg per day arm was 162.5 and 153.5 weeks, respectively. The majority of the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported during treatment with darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily were mild in severity. The most common clinical ADRs to darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily (greater than or equal to 5%) of at least moderate intensity (greater than or equal to Grade 2) were diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain and rash. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Co-administration of darunavir/ritonavir with other drugs can alter the concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the concentrations of darunavir. The potential drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy. ( 4 , 5.5 , 7 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Potential for Darunavir/ritonavir to Affect Other Drugs Darunavir co-administered with ritonavir is an inhibitor of CYP3A, CYP2D6 and P-gp. Co-administration of darunavir and ritonavir with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A and CYP2D6 or are transported by P-gp may result in increased plasma concentrations of such drugs, which could increase or prolong their therapeutic effect and adverse events. Darunavir co-administered with ritonavir with drugs that have active metabolite(s) formed by CYP3A may result in reduced plasma concentrations of these active metabolite(s), potentially leading to loss of their therapeutic effect (see Table 10). 7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Darunavir Darunavir and ritonavir are metabolized by CYP3A. In vitro data indicate that darunavir may be a P-gp substrate. Drugs that induce CYP3A activity would be expected to increase the clearance of darunavir and ritonavir, resulting in lowered plasma concentrations of darunavir and ritonavir. Co-administration of darunavir and ritonavir and other drugs that inhibit CYP3A or P-gp may decrease the clearance of darunavir and ritonavir and may result in increased plasma concentrations of darunavir and ritonavir (see Table 10). 7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Table 10 provides dosing recommendations as a result of drug interactions with darunavir/ritonavir. These recommendations are based on either drug interaction studies or predicted interactions due to the expected magnitude of interaction and potential for serious adverse events or loss of efficacy. […]
Use in specific groups
Pregnancy: Total darunavir exposures were generally lower during pregnancy compared to postpartum period. The reduction in darunavir exposures during pregnancy were greater for once daily dosing compared to the twice daily dosing regimen. ( 8.1 , 12.3 ) Lactation: Women infected with HIV should be instructed not to breastfeed due to the potential for HIV transmission. ( 8.2 ) Pediatrics: Not recommended for patients less than 3 years of age. ( 8.4 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to darunavir during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) 1-800-258-4263. Risk Summary Prospective pregnancy data from the APR are not sufficient to adequately assess the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. Available limited data from the APR show no statistically significant difference in the overall risk of major birth defects for darunavir compared with the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in a U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) [see Data]. The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. The estimated background rate of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15% to 20%. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Studies in animals did not show evidence of developmental toxicity. Exposures (based on AUC) in rats were 3-fold higher, whereas in mice and rabbits, exposures were lower (less than 1-fold) than human exposures at the recommended daily dose [see Data] . Clinical Considerations The recommended dosage in pregnant patients is darunavir 600 mg taken with ritonavir 100 mg twice daily with food. […]
If too much is taken
Human experience of acute overdose with darunavir/ritonavir is limited. No specific antidote is available for overdose with darunavir. Treatment of overdose with darunavir consists of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. Since darunavir is highly protein bound, dialysis is unlikely to be beneficial in significant removal of the active substance.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 29 April 2024. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.