darunavir propylene glycolate at a glance
Medicine class
HIV protease inhibitor
Main role
Combination treatment of HIV-1 infection, including in people previously treated with antiretrovirals
Pharmacokinetic booster
This product must be used with ritonavir
Food
Take with ritonavir and food; the type of food is not important
What is darunavir propylene glycolate used for?
Licensed uses include:
Treatment of HIV-1 infection with ritonavir and other antiretroviral treatment.
Use in adults previously treated with antiretrovirals, including those who have received extensive treatment.
Use in eligible children aged 3 years and over who meet the product’s minimum body-weight requirement.
How does darunavir propylene glycolate work?
Darunavir blocks HIV protease, preventing infected cells from producing mature, infectious virus particles. Ritonavir slows darunavir breakdown and maintains its exposure.
darunavir propylene glycolate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 400 mg, 600 mg, 800 mg
How to take darunavir propylene glycolate
Use exactly as directed by the specialist HIV team. Take the tablet with ritonavir, the other prescribed antiretrovirals and food. Do not change the formulation or stop treatment without discussing it with the team; an oral suspension may be available if tablets cannot be swallowed.
Swallow with a drink and take with food.
Keep all parts of the prescribed HIV combination together as instructed.
Check with the HIV pharmacist before starting prescription, pharmacy-bought or herbal products.
darunavir propylene glycolate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Rash or itching
- Abdominal pain or indigestion
- Tiredness or weakness
- Changes in blood glucose or lipids
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe skin reaction, including rash with fever, blisters, mouth sores or eye inflammation
- Serious allergic reaction with facial swelling or breathing difficulty
- Liver inflammation, possibly causing jaundice, dark urine, nausea or abdominal tenderness
- Pancreatitis, possibly causing severe persistent abdominal pain
- New or worsening inflammatory symptoms after immune recovery
- Increased bleeding in people with haemophilia
darunavir propylene glycolate in pregnancy
HIV treatment should not be stopped during pregnancy without specialist advice. Darunavir with ritonavir may be considered when the expected benefit justifies potential risk. Darunavir boosted with cobicistat should not be started during pregnancy because exposure may be too low.
darunavir propylene glycolate while breastfeeding
The product information advises against breastfeeding because effects on a breastfed infant are uncertain and HIV can pass through breast milk. In current UK practice, formula feeding is the safest option. Anyone considering breastfeeding needs early discussion and close support from specialist HIV and maternity teams.
darunavir propylene glycolate interactions
Darunavir with ritonavir has extensive CYP3A and transporter-mediated interactions. All medicines and herbal products require review.
Rifampicin
Contraindicated because it can markedly lower darunavir and ritonavir exposure, risking loss of HIV control and resistance.
St John’s wort
Contraindicated because it can lower darunavir exposure and reduce effectiveness.
Simvastatin, lovastatin or lomitapide
Contraindicated because boosted darunavir may greatly increase exposure and serious toxicity.
Common questions about darunavir propylene glycolate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is darunavir propylene glycolate given with ritonavir?
Ritonavir slows darunavir’s CYP3A-mediated breakdown, increasing and maintaining its exposure. This product must not be used without its prescribed booster.
Does darunavir propylene glycolate have to be taken with food?
Yes. Food improves exposure; the type of meal is not important.
Does darunavir propylene glycolate cure HIV?
No. It suppresses viral replication as part of combination treatment but does not remove HIV from the body.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.