Evotaz vs. Prezcobix for HIV Treatment: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Evotaz (atazanavir/cobicistat) and Prezcobix (darunavir/cobicistat) are both antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV, but they have some differences. Evotaz is approved for people who weigh at least 77 pounds, while Prezcobix is for those who weigh at least 88 pounds. Both medications combine a protease inhibitor with a booster, but Evotaz uses atazanavir as the protease inhibitor, whereas Prezcobix uses darunavir. You need to take both medications once a day with food. Both medications can cause jaundice and are not recommended during pregnancy. Prezcobix can cause severe skin reactions and must be used carefully if you have a sulfa allergy. Both medications interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking.

Evotaz

(atazanavir / cobicistat)

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Prezcobix

(darunavir / cobicistat)

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Summary for Evotaz

Prescription only

Evotaz (atazanavir / cobicistat) is a combination medication that's taken as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It's approved for people with HIV who weigh at least 77 pounds. Evotaz (atazanavir / cobicistat) is a tablet that's taken once a day with food. It must be taken along with other HIV ARV medications. Evotaz (atazanavir / cobicistat) can cause side effects, including rash and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Indications for Evotaz

Treatment of HIV

Pros and Cons for Evotaz

Pros

Taken once a day
Combination tablet, so there are fewer pills to take
Same dose for adults and children who weigh at least 77 pounds
Can take if you have a sulfa allergy

Cons

Need to take with food
Might cause jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
Interacts with a lot of medications, such as certain other HIV medications, statins, and certain blood thinners
Must be separated from medications that treat heartburn and indigestion by a certain amount of time

Common Side Effects for Evotaz

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes; up to 6%)
Rash (5%)

Warnings for Evotaz

Heart rhythm problems
Rash and other severe skin reactions
Kidney problems
Kidney stones or gallstones
Liver problems
High bilirubin levels
Interactions with other medications (including certain HIV ARVs)
Overactive immune system
High blood sugar
Changes in body fat
Risk of bleeding in people with hemophilia

Summary for Prezcobix

Prescription only

Prezcobix (darunavir / cobicistat), also known as DRV/COBI, is an antiretroviral (ARV) medication that treats HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections in people who weigh at least 88 pounds. It's typically taken with other HIV ARVs to make up a complete treatment regimen. Prezcobix (darunavir / cobicistat) is an oral tablet that's taken once daily. It's important to take the medication every day to prevent HIV drug resistance (when HIV medications no longer work). A side effect of Prezcobix (darunavir / cobicistat) is a skin rash that appears within the first month of treatment, but it typically goes away on its own.

Indications for Prezcobix

Treatment of HIV infection in adults and children weighing at least 88 pounds

Pros and Cons for Prezcobix

Pros

Taken once a day by mouth
Combines two medications into one pill for convenience
Safe to use in adults and children weighing at least 88 pounds

Cons

Interacts with many medications, such as certain statins and blood thinners
Must be used carefully in people with sulfa allergies
Not recommended during pregnancy (being pregnant can cause the medication to work less well)