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Stribild vs. Complera

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

Key takeaways

Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir) and Complera (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir) are both single-tablet regimens used for the treatment of HIV. Stribild includes an integrase inhibitor (elvitegravir) and a booster (cobicistat), while Complera contains a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) (rilpivirine). Both medications must be taken with food to ensure proper absorption, but Stribild can be taken with any meal, whereas Complera should be taken with at least 400 calories. Stribild is not recommended for people with kidney or liver problems, and Complera, on the other hand, is not recommended for people with high viral loads. Both medications have many drug interactions and can cause kidney and bone problems, but Complera is also associated with mood changes and depression. Stribild is not a preferred option during pregnancy, while Complera can be used during pregnancy but not during breastfeeding.

Stribild

 

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Complera

 

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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

Summary for Complera

Prescription only

Complera is a single-tablet regimen containing 3 HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs), rilpivirine (Edurant), emtricitabine (Emtriva), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread). It's no longer a first-choice treatment option due to newer agents with fewer side effects.

Indications for Complera

  • HIV treatment

Pros and Cons for Complera

Pros

  • 1 tablet once a day is a full HIV regimen
  • Can be used in pregnancy at the same dose
  • Contains tenofovir, which is also a first-choice treatment option for hepatitis B
  • Causes less abnormal dreams when compared to a similar medication Atripla
  • Not associated with weight gain

Cons

  • Must be taken with food
  • Not recommended for people with kidney problems since the dose can't be adjusted
  • Can't be used if the amount of virus (viral load) is too high
  • There are many medication interactions and it can't be taken with some medications used to treat tuberculosis, seizures, and stomach acid.
  • Can lead to kidney and bone problems

Common Side Effects for Complera

  • Change in mood, depression (2%)
  • Headache (2%)
  • Trouble sleeping, insomnia (2%)

Warnings for Complera

  • WORSENING OF HEPATITIS B
  • LIVER PROBLEMS AND TOXICITY
  • DEPRESSION AND CHANGES IN MOOD
  • KIDNEY PROBLEMS
  • BONE PROBLEMS
  • IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION SYNDROME

Prices with our coupons for Stribild vs. Complera

Price Card Drug Icon
Stribild30 tablets / 150mg/150mg/200mg/300mg
$4,460.07$5,696.14
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Price Card Drug Icon
Emtricitabine/Rilpivirine/Tenofovir30 tablets / 200mg/25mg/300mg of
$956.64$3,040.49
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