Genvoya

Generic Name: cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (koe BIK i stat, EL vi TEG ra vir, EM trye SYE ta been, and ten OF oh vir)
Brand Names: Genvoya, Stribild

What is Genvoya?

Genvoya is a tablet containing a combination of cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. Cobicistat reduces the action of enzymes in your liver that break down certain antiviral medicines. This allows the antiviral medicines to be used more safely and effectively at lower doses. Elvitegravir, emtricitabine and tenofovir are antiviral medicines that prevent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cells from multiplying in your body. HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Genvoya is used to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Genvoya is for use in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

Important information

Many drugs can interact with Genvoya and some should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you use.

Genvoya may cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

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Genvoya can harm your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have: nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medicine. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Genvoya if you are allergic to cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, or tenofovir.

Some medicines can interact with Genvoya and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

alfuzosin;

lovastatin, simvastatin;

oral midazolam, triazolam;

rifampin;

sildenafil (Revatio, for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension);

St. John's wort;

antipsychotic medicine - lurasidone, pimozide;

ergot medicine - dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine; or

seizure medicine - carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin.

Genvoya 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, Combivir, Complera, Emtriva, Epivir, Epzicom, Hepsera, Kaletra, Norvir, Triumeq, Trizivir, Truvada, Tybost, Viread, or Viekira.

To make sure Genvoya is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease;

osteopenia (low bone mineral density); or

a history of hepatitis B or C infection.

Some people taking Genvoya develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk.

Genvoya is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of this medicine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Genvoya is not approved for use by a child younger than 12 years old or weighing less than 77 pounds.

How should I take Genvoya?

Genvoya is usually taken once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take with food.

Use Genvoya regularly to get the most benefit. Your disease may become resistant if you miss doses. Do not change your dose or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

While using Genvoya, your blood may need to be tested often. Your bone density and kidney or liver function may also need to be tested.

Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medicine, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Genvoya.

Genvoya dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Genvoya for HIV Infection:

1 tablet orally once a day with food

Use: As a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients with no antiretroviral treatment history or to replace the current antiretroviral regimen in patients virologically-suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen for at least 6 months with no history of treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to the individual components of this drug