What is Stribild?
Stribild can be described as a tablet that contains a combination consisting of cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and the drug tenofovir. Cobicistat can inhibit the action of liver enzymes, which break down specific antiviral drugs. This allows antiviral medications to be taken more securely and efficiently at lower doses.
Elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir are antiviral medications that stop the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying throughout your body. HIV can lead to an acquired immune deficiency disorder (AIDS). Stribild is an all-in-one medication that treats HIV in both children and adults who are 12 years old and who have a weight of at least 55 lbs (25 kg).
Warnings
Stribild could cause liver damage. Contact your physician immediately when you experience lower stomach discomfort, a lack of appetite or thirst, dark urine, the color of your stool is clay or brown, or you notice an increase in the color of your eyes or skin.
Discuss with your doctor your current medications and all the ones you begin or stop taking. Numerous drugs interact, and some medications should not be combined. Do not stop taking Stribild without consulting your doctor. Make sure you refill your prescription before you run out of medicine completely. If you've experienced Hepatitis B, the virus could get more active or worse after stopping using Stribild. It is possible that you will require regular tests of your liver's function for many months.
A number of medications can interfere with the cobicistat drug, elvitegravir, as well as emtricitabine and tenofovir, and are not recommended to be used in conjunction. Inform your doctor about your medications.
Before you take this drug
Certain drugs shouldn't be used in conjunction with Stribild. The treatment plan you are using could change depending on whether you also take:
- Alfuzosin;
- Cisapride
- Oral midazolam, or triazolam;
- Rifampin;
- Sildenafil (Revatio for treating hypertension in the pulmonary artery)
- John's wort;
- Antipsychotic medicine (lurasidone, pimzoide);
- Cholesterol medication (lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin)
- Ergot medicine: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine; or
- Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
Stribild is a comprehensive combination treatment that is not recommended to be used in conjunction with other antiviral medicines, including cobicistat and adefovir, as well as elvitegra, lamivudine, or emtricitabine. the tenofovir drug, or ritonavir: Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Epivir, Epzicom, Evotaz, Hepsera, Kaletra, Norvir, Odefsey, Prezcobix, Symfi, Symtuza, Technivie, Triumeq, Trizivir, Tybost, Viekira, and many more.
To be sure Stribild is safe for you, ask your doctor if you've ever experienced:
- Hepatitis B or any other liver issues
- Kidney disease.
There is a chance that you will be diagnosed with the condition known as lactic acidosis. It is a serious buildup of lactic acid inside your blood. Consult your physician about the potential risk. Stribild may not function in the same way if you use the medication during your pregnancy. Do not start taking the medication if you are expecting. Inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant. If you're planning to become pregnant, ask your doctor for a different antiviral medication to take during your pregnancy. To stop HIV from infecting a baby, first take all the medications you can to prevent your infection during pregnancy. Your name could be included in an antiviral pregnancy registry.
If you don't intend to become pregnant, ask your doctor about non-hormonal birth control (condom diaphragm or diaphragm as well as a cervical cap as well as a contraceptive sponge) to avoid the possibility of pregnancy. Stribild may increase the risk of certain negative effects when combined with contraceptives that contain hormones (pills, injections, implants, skin patches, or vaginal rings). Women who have HIV shouldn't feed their babies. The virus could infect the baby through breast milk.
How to take Stribild?
Use Stribild exactly as directed by your physician. The medication is typically taken every day. Follow all the instructions on the label of your prescription and read the medication guide or instructions sheets.
You'll need to take regular medical examinations.
Utilize all HIV medication according to your doctor's instructions. Do not alter the dose or stop taking medication without consulting your doctor. Not taking your doses regularly can cause your virus to become resistant to medications. Be sure to keep your medication under the supervision of a physician.
Place the container back in its original place in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed when not being used.
If you've suffered from hepatitis A and it is recurring, it could happen again or worsen when you stop taking Stribild. It is possible that you will require liver function tests while taking this medication and for a few months after stopping.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection:
1 tablet taken orally every day along with food
Comments:
It is not recommended during pregnancy due to significantly less exposure to cobicistat and elvitegravir in the second and third trimesters.
This medication should not be used during pregnancy; women who are pregnant while taking therapy with this drug must be switched to a different treatment.
Use: As a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients with no antiretroviral treatment history or to replace the current antiretroviral regimen in patients virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen for at least 6 months with no history of treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to the individual components of this drug.
Usual Pediatric Dose for HIV Infection:
What happens If I miss the dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as you can. However, do not take your missed dose if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
Make sure you refill your prescription before the expiration date of your medication.
What happens If I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Be sure to avoid taking an antacid 2 hours prior to or 2 hours after taking Stribild. Certain anti-inflammatory medications could make it more difficult for your body to absorb the cobicistats Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir.
Utilizing Stribild is not a way to stop the spread of the disease. Be sure to not engage in unprotected sexual sex or share toothbrushes or razors. Consult your physician on how to avoid HIV transmission during sexual contact. Sharing needles with medicine or drugs is not a good idea.
Side Effects
Get immediate medical attention. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms that indicate you are experiencing an allergic reaction. Stribild: hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
See your doctor right away. If you are suffering from:
- Kidney issues swelling, urination less frequently, and feeling exhausted or uncomfortable.
- Lactic acidosis: muscle pains that are unusual and breathing problems stomach pain, vomiting, an irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, very fatigued, or weak; or
Liver issues liver problems nausea and stomach pains in the upper part of the stomach; nausea, vomiting, dark urine, sour-colored stool, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Antiviral medications can affect the immune system (even months or weeks after using Stribild). Consult your physician when you're suffering from:
- Indications of an infection that is new, like night sweats, glands that are swollen, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, and weight loss;
- Difficulties swallowing or speaking difficulties with balance, eye movement, and prickly or weak feelings trouble swallowing, balance, or eye movement problems;
- Swelling in your throat or neck (enlarged thyroid), menstrual cycles, impotence
Commonly occurring adverse effects could be:
- Nausea;
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs can have an effect on Stribild?
There are times when it's not recommended to take certain medicines simultaneously. Certain medications can alter your blood levels and the other medications you take, which could create side effects or render the medication less effective.
Numerous drugs may interfere with the cobicistat drug, including elvitegravir, tenofovir, emtricitabine, and cobicist. Some drugs shouldn't be used together. Discuss with your doctor the other medicines you are taking. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicine, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all interactions are included in this list.
