cobicistat, darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir

What is the most important information I should know about Symtuza?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with Symtuza.

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using this medicine. You may need liver function tests for several months.

What is cobicistat, darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (Symtuza)?

Cobicistat, darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (Symtuza) is a combination medicine that is used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Symtuza is for use in adults and children weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

Symtuza is sometimes used in people who have never been treated with other HIV medications.

Symtuza is also used to replace other HIV medications in adults with suppressed viral loads. Your doctor will determine which medication is best for you.

Symtuza may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Symtuza?

Some drugs should not be used with Symtuza. Your treatment plan may change if you also use:

• alfuzosin;
• cisapride;
• colchicine (in people with liver or kidney disease);
• elbasvir and grazoprevir;
• lovastatin or simvastatin;
• pimozide, lurasidone;
• rifampin;
• sildenafil (Revatio, for pulmonary arterial hypertension);
• St. John's wort;
• triazolam or oral midazolam;
• heart medication --dronedarone, ivabradine, ranolazine;
• ergot medicines --dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine; or
• seizure medicine --carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease (especially cirrhosis, or hepatitis B or C);
• kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for another antiviral medicine to use during pregnancy. To prevent HIV in a newborn baby, use all medications to control your infection during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry.

How should I take Symtuza?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

If you cannot swallow a tablet whole, you may break the tablet in half. Take both halves right away.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed. Do not change your dose or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice. Skipping doses could make your virus resistant to medication. Remain under the care of a doctor.

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using Symtuza. You may need liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking Symtuza?

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

What are the possible side effects of Symtuza?

• increased thirst, increased urination;
• kidney problems --swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
• lactic acidosis --unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired; or
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Symtuza can affect your immune system (even weeks or months after you've used this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection --fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, gas;
• headache, feeling tired; or
• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Symtuza?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Many drugs can affect Symtuza, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cobicistat, darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02. Revision date: 9/20/2021.