Key facts about Symtuza
What is Symtuza?
Symtuza is the brand name for darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide and is available as an oral tablet.
What dosages is Symtuza available in?
Symtuza is available as an oral tablet that contains 800 mg of darunavir, 150 mg of cobicistat, 200 mg of emtricitabine, and 10 mg of tenofovir alafenamide (equivalent to 11.2 mg of tenofovir alafenamide
fumarate).
What is Symtuza used for?
- Symtuza is a HIV ARV combination that is used to treat HIV
How does Symtuza work?
Symtuza is an HIV ARV combination medication. It contains four different medications that work together to prevent HIV from infecting your cells and making copies of itself:
Darunavir is a protease inhibitor (PI) and blocks an enzyme HIV needs to make copies of itself. Cobicistat is a booster medication. It doesn’t act on HIV. Instead, it slows down your body’s ability to break down darunavir, so that darunavir levels stay higher.
Emtricitabine and tenofovir are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They insert themselves into the virus’ DNA (genetic material) and stop the DNA-making process.
How do I take Symtuza?
- Symtuza is typically taken as 1 tablet by mouth once a day with food
Is it safe for me to take Symtuza?
Symtuza is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. Symtuza is contraindicated to be co-administered with certain drugs for
which altered plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or lifethreatening events or which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect of Symtuza and development of resistance.
Symtuza Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Symtuza:
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headache
Symtuza Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Symtuza. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver problems: fever, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored stool, stomach pain, yellowing of your skin and eyes
- Kidney problems: swelling in your legs and feet, difficulty urinating, confusion
- Severe skin reaction: blistering rash, fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, mouth sores
- High blood acid levels (lactic acidosis): muscle pain, severe stomach pain, shallow breathing, tiredness, weakness, change in heartbeat
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Symtuza
The following medications may interact with Symtuza:
- Co-administration of Symtuza with other drugs can alter the concentration of other drugs and other drugs may alter the concentrations of Symtuza components. Consult the full prescribing information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions
Who makes Symtuza?
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Is Symtuza safe in pregnancy?
Symtuza is not recommended during pregnancy due to
substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
