Question
What does 'take with food' mean for darunavir?
26 September 2011. Related: Adherence, All topics, Drug interactions.
Does it matter what type of food I take with darunavir? Can I take it afterwards as well as at the same time?
Answer
Some drugs have diet restrictions for taking meds. Depending on the individual drug, this can be with food, on an empty stomach, or with or without certain types of food.
The detailed advice given with your meds is important. This is to make sure you get the right amount of active drugs.
Sometimes the recommendation are to make sure the drug levels are high enough. Sometimes it is to make sure they are not too low.
The recommendation for darunavir is to ‘take with food’. The more detailed product information says to take with food or within 30 minutes of a meal. The type of food does not seem to matter.
Without food, drug levels of darunavir drop by 30% and the drug would not be strong enough to control the HIV. It would also increase the risk of developing resistance.
The types of food studied were following a standard breakfast, a high-fat breakfast, a nutritional protein-rich drink, or a croissant with coffee. Drug levels were similar with all four types of meal but 30% lower when taken without food.
Please remember this information is specific to darunavir and NOT other meds that also say ‘take with food’.
Hi Paul, which country are you based in? Did you speak with the doctor before your treatment was switched?
Zidovudine (azt) is not a commonly used HIV med in adults due to side effects. How were you managing on the older combination? and have you been on any other meds previously?
This is a boosted combination (meaning ritoniovir is used to improve darunavir). This is rarely a first line recommendation as similar results can be achieved in treatment naïve people on combinations not requiring boosting. Does the government policy allow for alternatives? and is this being rolled out nationwide?
Hello Simon, just been switched to Darunavir/ritonavir and azt/3tc from Truvada, Abacavir and Alluvia based. It’s government based policy. What do you advise. Should we resist the change?
Hi Nick
Thanks for your question.
According to the information that comes with these meds, the type of food does not matter.
https://i-base.info/guides/3555
So yes, the shake and biscuits will be fine.
Will a glass of mango shake and 3 cookies be okay with a darunavir/ritonavir-based combo. Will this amount of food be okay?
A sandwich and milk are fine. Great things are going so well :)
Hi I take darunavir along with ritonavir and truvada I work nights so I have my dinner late about 11ish and have them while im eating with a big glass of milk, suppose if yu dont eat late just have a sandwich and milk ?? and I have a 500 cd4 count along with a undetectable viral load…been + now 11 years……so seems to be doing the job for me m8 ….cheers