Uses
The combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (Genvoya, Stribilid) is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults and children who have not been treated with other HIV medications or to replace current medication therapy in certain people already taking HIV medications. The combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir is in a class of medications called antivirals. Elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir work by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Cobicistat helps to keep elvitegravir in the body longer so that the medication will have a greater effect. Although the combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir will not cure HIV, these medications may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of transmitting the HIV virus to other people.
Side Effects Of Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir
Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- unusual dreams
- diarrhea
- gas
- rash
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS sections, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- decreased urination
- pain in the arms, hands, feet, or legs
- pain in upper right part of your stomach
- loss of appetite
- flu-like symptoms
- nausea
- vomiting
- extreme tiredness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- weakness
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- trouble breathing
- dark yellow or brown urine
- light-colored bowel movements
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- feeling cold, especially in the arms or legs
- muscle pain
Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, or tenofovir, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: alfuzosin (Uroxatral); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, others), cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the U.S.); ergot medications such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot), and methylergonovine (Methergine); lomitapide (Juxtapid); lovastatin (Altoprev); lurasidone (Latuda); midazolam (Versed) by mouth; phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); pimozide (Orap); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); St. John’s wort; sildenafil (only Revatio, brand used for lung disease); simvastatin (Simcor, Zocor, in Vytorin); or triazolam (Halcion). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir if you are taking one or more of these medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin; anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as apixaban (Eliquis), betrixaban (Bevyxxa), dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Savaysa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole, and voriconazole (Vfend); antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Sitavig, Zovirax), cidofovir, ganciclovir (Cytovene), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and valganciclovir (Valcyte); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet); benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Gen-Xene, Tranxene), diazepam (Diastat, Valium), estazolam, flurazepam, and midazolam given intravenously (into a vein); beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL, in Dutoprol) and timolol; bosentan (Tracleer); buprenorphine and naloxone (Bunavail, Suboxone); buspirone; calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Diltzac, Tiazac, others), felodipine, nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat CC, Afeditab CR, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, in Tarka); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac); colchicine (Colcrys, Mitagare, in Col-Probenecid); dexamethasone; ethosuximide (Zarontin), hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patch, vaginal ring, or injectable); medications for depression such as amitriptyline, bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin, Zyban), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), and trazodone; other medications for HIV or AIDS including cobicistat (Tybost, in Evotaz, in Prezcobix), emtricitabine (Emtriva, in Atripla, in Complera, in Truvada), lamivudine (Epivir, in Combivir, in Epzicom, in Trizivir, others), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra, in Technivie), and tenofovir (Viread, in Atripla, in Complera, in Truvada); fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide, lidocaine (Xylocaine), mexiletine, propafenone (Rythmol), and quinidine (in Nuedexta); medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf); naloxone (Evzio, Narcan); oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal); perphenazine; quetiapine (Seroquel); phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifapentine (Priftin); risperidone (Risperdal); salmeterol (Serevent, in Advair); oral or inhaled steroids such as betamethasone, budesonide (Pulmicort), ciclesonide (Alvesco, Omnaris), dexamethasone, fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent, in Advair), methylprednisolone (Medrol). mometasone (in Dulera). prednisone (Rayos), and triamcinolone; telithromycin (Ketek; no longer available in the US); thioridazine; tramadol; and zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist). Many other medications may also interact with elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- if you are taking antacids containing aluminum, magnesium, or calcium (Maalox, Mylanta, others), take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, bone problems including osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) or bone fractures, any type of infection that does not go away or that come and goes such as tuberculosis (TB; a type of lung infection) or cytomegalovirus (CMV; a viral infection that may cause symptoms in patients with weak immune systems), or liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, call your doctor right away. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.
- you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms during your treatment with elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, be sure to tell your doctor.
Dosage Of Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir
The combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food once a day. Take elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir help to control HIV infection but do not cure it. Continue to take elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir without talking to your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a supply of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir on hand. Do not wait until you run out of medication to refill your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
