Symtuza (Darunavir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir alafenamide) for HIV

Overview
Symtuza is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as treatment for HIV-1 infection in adults. Symtuza is a combination drug composed of Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir alafenamide. Darunavir is an antiviral medication of the protease inhibitor (PI) class. Darunavir is believed to work by preventing HIV from replicating in cells. Cobicistat is a pharmacokinetic enhancer. Cobicistat is believed to work by preventing the body from breaking down some antiretroviral drugs, increasing their effectiveness. Emtricitabine and Tenofovir alafenamide are both antiretroviral medications of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) class. NRTI drugs are believed to work by preventing HIV from replicating in cells.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Symtuza is taken once daily. Symtuza comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Symtuza lists common side effects including headache, fatigue, nausea, rash, diarrhea, upset stomach, flatulence, and changes in the shape or location of body fat. Rare but serious side effects listed for Symtuza include liver damage, severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, development or worsening of type 2 diabetes, increased bleeding episodes in those with bleeding disorders, and immune reconstitution syndrome.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Symtuza.com – Janssen

Overview of HIV Treatments – AIDS.gov