cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir

What is the most important information I should know about this medicine?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used together.

Do not stop using this medicine without your doctor's advice. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using this medicine. You may need liver function tests for several months.

What is cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir?

Cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine and tenofovir is a combination medicine that is used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir is for use in adults and children weighing at least 55 pounds (25 kilograms).

Cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking this medicine?

Some drugs should not be used with cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. Your treatment plan may change if you also use:

• alfuzosin;
• cisapride;
• oral midazolam, or triazolam;
• rifampin;
• sildenafil (Revatio, for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension);
• St. John's wort;
• antipsychotic medicine --lurasidone, pimozide;
• cholesterol medication --lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin;
• ergot medicine --dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine; or
• seizure medicine --carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin.

Cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir is a complete combination treatment and should not be used with other antiviral medications, especially those that contain adefovir, cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, ritonavir, or tenofovir: Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Epivir, Epzicom, Evotaz, Hepsera, Kaletra, Norvir, Odefsey, Prezcobix, Symfi, Symtuza, Technivie, Triumeq, Trizivir, Tybost, Viekira, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• hepatitis B or other liver problems; or
• kidney disease.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for another antiviral medicine to use during pregnancy. To prevent HIV in a newborn baby, use all medications to control your infection during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry.

How should I take this medicine?

This medicine is usually taken once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed. Do not change your dose or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice. Skipping doses could make your virus resistant to medication. Remain under the care of a doctor.

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using this medicine. You may need liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking this medicine?

Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb this medicine.

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

• kidney problems --swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
• lactic acidosis --unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired; or
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Antiviral medicine can affect your immune system (even weeks or months after you've used this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection --fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea; or
• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Many drugs can affect cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.