What is a Descovy Blister Pack?
The Descovy Blister Pack contains a combination of antiviral medicines that are used in conjunction with other HIV medications to treat HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This medication is not a treatment for HIV or AIDS. The Descovy Blister Pack can also be used to prevent HIV infection in adults and adolescents by using pre-exposure prophylaxis. Descovy Blister packs are available in more than one brand. Your doctor will decide which brand is best for you depending on your weight, age, and other factors. The Descovy Blister Pack can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effect of Descovy Blister Pack
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, swelling in your face, lips, or throat, or hives.
Descovy blister packs can affect your immunity (even after weeks or even months of using them). Tell your doctor about:
- Signs of an infection: fever, sweats at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores, coughing, wheezing, and diarrhea.
- Problems with balance, eye movements, or speech, or even a prickly sensation;
- Impotence, menstrual irregularities, and swelling of the neck or throat
The mild symptoms of lactic acidosis can worsen over time. This condition is fatal. If you experience: unusual muscular pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain or vomiting; fast or slow or abnormal heartbeats; or dizziness,
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Symptoms of a new HIV infection include fever, night sweats, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, or a sore neck.
- Sudden or unusual bone pain
- Kidney problems: swelling, decreased urination, fatigue, or feeling short of breath.
- Liver problems: swelling around the midsection of your body; upper right stomach pain; loss of appetite; dark urine and clay-colored stool; jaundice.
Some of the common side effects associated with the Descovy Blister Pack include:
- Feeling tired, depressed, or dizzy?
- Sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
- Diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain;
- Weight loss;
There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for FDA reporting purposes contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Zidovudine, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir
Warnings
You may need to have frequent blood tests and other medical tests before starting this medicine, as well as for several months after stopping. Before starting the medicine, you may need to have frequent blood tests done in order to monitor your liver function. You will also require other medical tests for several months following its discontinuation. Descovy Pre-exposure Prophylaxis reduces the risk of HIV infection. Do not use this medicine as PrEP if HIV-positive or if HIV-negative status has not been confirmed.
Before you take this drug
Do not use the Descovy Blister Pack if you have HIV or do not know if you're HIV-negative.
Be sure to inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Flu-like symptoms;
- If you are sexually active,
- You may have been infected with hiv within the last month.
- Have you recently been tested for other sexually transmissible diseases, such as syphilis?
- Bone problems, low bone mineral density;
- Hepatitis b: (you may need to be tested for the hepatitis b virus before using the descovy blister pack);
- liver disease
- Kidney disease (or dialysis)
You could develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous accumulation of lactic acids in your blood. Consult your doctor to determine your risk. Inform your physician as soon as you become pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. Use all medications to control your infection while pregnant in order to prevent HIV from affecting a newborn. You may have your name listed on a registry of antiviral pregnant women. Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV. Breast milk can transmit the virus to your child.
How to take Descovy Blister Packs?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label. The Descovy Blister Pack should be taken only once per day. This medicine can be taken with or without food. Take this medication after dialysis if you are on dialysis. All HIV medications should be taken as prescribed. You should not alter your dosage, skip doses, or stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor. Continue to be under the doctor's care. If you change the brand, strength, or form of a medicine, your dose requirements may be different. Use the medication exactly as prescribed by your physician or on the label. The Descovy Blister Pack (PrEP) alone will not protect you against HIV infection. You should also practice safer sex and be tested for HIV at least every three months and before you start prophylaxis.
You may get hepatitis B again, or it could worsen after stopping this medication. Before starting the medicine, you may need to have frequent blood tests done to monitor your liver function. You will also require other medical tests for several months following its discontinuation. During the use of this medication, you will need to have your kidney function and medical tests checked frequently. Weight is taken into account when determining the dose. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight. Store tightly sealed in the original container, at room temperature, and away from moisture.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take two doses at once. Never take two doses of the same medication at once. If you skip doses, the virus could become resistant to your medication or increase the risk of HIV infection. Refill your prescription before you run out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
The Descovy Blister Pack will not stop your disease from spreading. Share razors and toothbrushes. Do not engage in unprotected sexual activity. Consult your doctor about how to avoid HIV transmission while sexing. It is not safe to share syringes or needles for drugs or medicines.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective. Descovy Blister Pack may harm your kidneys if you are also taking certain medications for cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, high blood pressure, or pain (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).
Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:
- Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital
- Other antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis c and hiv
This list is incomplete, and other drugs can affect the Descovy blister pack. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
