Skip to main content

Compare
Prezcobix vs. Stribild

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Prezcobix (darunavir/cobicistat) and Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir) are both antiretroviral (ARV) medications used to treat HIV infections. They both contain cobicistat, a booster medication. However, they have some important differences. Prezcobix combines a protease inhibitor (darunavir) with cobicistat and is typically used with other HIV medications, while Stribild is a complete single-tablet regimen that includes an integrase inhibitor (elvitegravir) and two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (emtricitabine and tenofovir). Both medications are taken once daily with food and are not recommended during pregnancy. Common side effects of Prezcobix include diarrhea, nausea, and rash, whereas Stribild may cause nausea, diarrhea, and abnormal dreams. Both medications interact with many other drugs, so it's important to discuss all medications you're taking with your prescriber and pharmacist. Prezcobix contains a sulfa component, so talk to your prescriber if you have a sulfa allergy.

Prezcobix

(darunavir / cobicistat)

Get free coupons

Stribild

 

Get free coupons

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)

Common Side Effects for Prezcobix

Side effects below were reported in at least 5% of adults taking Prezista (darunavir) with ritonavir (Norvir) during clinical studies.

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Rash

Side effects below were reported in at least 5% of adults taking Tybost (cobicistat) with other HIV medications in clinical studies.

Warnings for Prezcobix

  • Liver problems
  • Severe skin and allergic reactions
  • Changes to blood test results for kidney function
  • Kidney problems when used with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
  • High blood sugar
  • Changes in body fat
  • Overactive immune system
  • Risk of bleeding in people with hemophilia
  • Interactions with other medications

Summary for Stribild

Prescription only

Stribild is a single-tablet-regimen containing 3 HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs), elvitegravir (Vitekta), emtricitabine (Emtriva), and tenofovir DF (Viread), and one booster medication, cobicistat (Tybost).

Indications for Stribild

  • HIV treatment

Pros and Cons for Stribild

Pros

  • 1 tablet once a day is a full HIV regimen
  • Contains tenofovir, which is also a first-choice treatment option for hepatitis B
  • One of the few single-tablet-regimens that contains an integrase inhibitor (a preferred HIV ARV subclass)
  • In clinical trials, caused less abnormal dreams than Atripla
  • Gilead copay card available for people with commercial health plans (not for use with Medicaid and Medicare plans)

Cons

  • Must be taken with food
  • Dose can't be adjusted, so it's not recommended for people with kidney or liver problems
  • Can cause kidney and bone problems
  • Interacts with a lot of medications
  • Not a good option for people who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant

Common Side Effects for Stribild

  • Nausea (16%)
  • Diarrhea (12%)
  • Abnormal, strange dreams (9%)
  • Headache (7%)

Warnings for Stribild

  • WORSENING OF HEPATITIS B
  • CHANGES IN KIDNEY FUNCTION
  • LIVER PROBLEMS
  • DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • BONE PROBLEMS
  • IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION SYNDROME

Prices with our coupons for Prezcobix vs. Stribild

Price Card Drug Icon
Prezcobix30 tablets / 800mg/150mg
$2,404.58$2,840.83
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Stribild30 tablets / 150mg/150mg/200mg/300mg
$4,063.91$5,695.92
Get free coupons
More Information

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.