1 May 2026Oral drugsSource update: November 2022
Darunavir = DRV oral
Darunavir guidance for HIV treatment with ritonavir boosting, including separate schedules for protease-inhibitor-naive and experienced patients.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Antiretroviral, HIV protease inhibitor.
Indications
HIV infection, in combination with ritonavir booster and other antiretrovirals.
Forms and strengths
- 75 mg, 150 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg tablets.
- 400 mg darunavir/50 mg ritonavir tablet.
Dose
Patients with no previous use of protease inhibitors
Single formulations:
- Child 14 to < 35 kg: 600 mg once daily plus 100 mg ritonavir once daily.
- Child >= 35 kg and adult: 800 mg once daily plus 100 mg ritonavir once daily.
- Fixed-dose combination: child >= 40 kg and >= 12 years and adult: two 400/50 mg tablets once daily.
Patients with previous use of protease inhibitors
Single formulations:
- Child 14 to < 25 kg: 375 mg 2 times daily plus 50 mg ritonavir 2 times daily.
- Child 25 to < 35 kg: 400 mg 2 times daily plus 100 mg ritonavir 2 times daily.
- Child >= 35 kg and adult: 600 mg 2 times daily plus 100 mg ritonavir 2 times daily.
Duration
Depending on the efficacy and tolerance of darunavir and ritonavir.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to children under 3 years, to patients with severe hepatic impairment, or to patients with allergy to sulfonamides because of the risk of cross-sensitivity.
- Do not combine with rifampicin because plasma concentrations of darunavir decrease. Replace rifampicin with rifabutin.
- Administer with caution and monitor use in patients with haemophilia or mild to moderate hepatic impairment.
- May cause gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, renal disorders, myocardial infarction, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, and lipodystrophy.
- Skin rash may be severe and hepatic disorders may occur. In this event, stop treatment immediately.
- Darunavir in combination with ritonavir reduces the efficacy of implants and oral contraceptives. Use injectable medroxyprogesterone or an intrauterine device.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication. Use 2 times daily dosing because plasma concentrations of darunavir decrease during pregnancy.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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