PHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PROFILE OF DARUNAVIR: A REVIEW

Abstract

Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection involves a combination of several antiviral agents belonging to different pharmacological classes. Darunavir is a second-generation protease inhibitor. It used to treat HIV infection. Darunavir, formerly known as TMC114.Darunavir is available in the market under the trade names- Prezista®. Darunavir was designed to form robust interactions with the protease enzyme from many strains of HIV, including strains with multiple resistance mutations to second generation protease inhibitor. Darunavir is also used with small dose of ritonavir,that is darunavir is available in combination form. Combination therapy is the current standard of care for antiretroviral therapy. Since combinations of antiretroviral agents may be synergistic, additive, or antagonistic, it is important to test the developmental compounds which are used in combination with all the currently prescribed antiretroviral drugs. This combination is referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This paper reviews the pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties of Darunavir. Darunavir could be an attractive target for the generic industries.