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).
HIV treatment
Stribild contains an integrase inhibitor (elvitegravir) and two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (emtricitabine, tenofovir). These 3 medications work together to prevent the virus from making copies of itself in your body. The booster medication (cobicistat) slows the metabolism of elvitegravir (Vitekta) and raises the level in the body.
Source:Â FDA
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Cloudy urine
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach discomfort or pain
bloody urine
bone fractures
bone pain
change in urination
convulsions
dark-colored urine
decreased appetite
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast or irregular heartbeat
fast, shallow breathing
general feeling of discomfort
increased thirst
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
mood changes
muscle pain, cramps, or stiffness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
sleepiness
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
tightness in the chest
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Abnormal dreams
headache
Incidence not known
Chills
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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)
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
Take the medication around the same time each day, always with food.
Make sure your healthcare providers have a full list of the medications you are taking. Stribild interacts with a lot of commonly used medications like blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Your provider may have to make changes to your doses.
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements can help protect your bone health. Just remember to separate the calcium supplements by 2 hours from Stribild.
Stribild is not a preferred HIV ARV in pregnancy. Talk to your provider if you become pregnant or have plans to. If you do not wish to become pregnant, talk to your provider about your options for birth control. Estrogen-based contraceptives might not be a good option when you are taking Stribild due to medication interactions.
Stribild can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) | Stopping Stribild
People who have stopped taking Stribild have had severe worsening of their hepatitis B. Don't stop taking Stribild unless instructed by your healthcare provider. If you are instructed to stop the medication, or switch to a different antiviral medication, make sure you get your labs drawn regularly. This is how your provider will monitor your liver and HBV.
Risk factors: History of kidney damage | Taking Viread (tenofovir)
Stribild can cause kidney damage or changes to your kidney function blood tests. This is more common in people with a history of kidney damage. Make sure to have routine labs drawn so your provider can monitor your kidney function.
Risk factors: Obesity | Women | History of liver problems
Although rare, NRTIs including those in Stribild can cause a life-threatening liver problem called lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis. Most of the cases have been in women. Symptoms can include appetite loss, stomach pain, muscle pain, fast and shallow breathing, extreme tiredness, and sudden weakness. Stop taking Stribild and go to the emergency room right away if this happens.
Risk factors: Taking other medications or supplements
Stribild interacts with a lot of medications. The interaction usually makes the level of the other medication too high, and can lead to serious or fatal side effects. There are also medications that can lower the amount of Stribild in your body. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medications.
Risk factors: History of bone fractures | Osteoporosis
Stribild can lower your bone mineral density and weaken your bones. This can lead to osteoporosis and raise your risk of fractures. Many people take calcium and vitamin D supplements to help prevent this. Your provider may order additional tests to check your bone density if you have a fracture or other risk factors for bone problems.
Risk factors: Weakened immune system | Current untreated infection
HIV attacks your immune system. Over time, if the virus isn't treated your body may become defenseless against bacterial and fungal infection. Your HIV medications are very good at killing the virus, and when the number of viruses goes down, your immune system gets started making more cells. Once your immune system gets better, it will start to fight off any infections you might have, which can lead to a lot of inflammation. Even though it's a good thing that your immune system is getting better, too much inflammation can be bad. Your healthcare provider might check for underlying infections (sometimes called opportunistic infections) before starting Stribild especially if it is your first time taking HIV medications. Call your provider if you experience fever, difficulty breathing, or sudden changes to your health after starting Stribild.
The recommended dose for adults and children age 12 years and older who weigh more than 35 kg is 1 tablet once a day with food.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
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