How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
This is a combination product that contains 4 medications in 1 tablet: cobicistat, emtricitabine, elvitegravir, and tenofovir. These 4 medications are used in combination to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Together, these medications are antiretroviral medications. This combination product is used to treat adults with HIV-1 infection who have not previously taken medications for HIV. The HIV virus is responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This product is not intended to be used in combination with any other product.
Emtricitabine and tenofovir belong to the class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that needed by HIV to multiply and infect other cells. These two medications prevent reverse transcriptase from working properly.
Elvitegravir belongs to the class of medications known as integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). Integrase is an enzyme that is needed for the HIV virus to be reproduced. INSTIs stop the action of this enzyme, blocking the virus from reproducing.
Cobicistat slows down the speed at which the body gets rid of these medications. It is included in this medication to increase the length of time that the body is exposed to these medications with each dose.
This medication does not cure AIDS and does not prevent it from being spread to others. It is used in combination with other anti-HIV medications to slow further growth or reproduction of HIV and seems to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help to delay the development of problems such as infections related to AIDS or HIV disease.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each green, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablet, debossed with "GSI" on one side and the number "1" surrounded by a square box on the other side, contains 150 mg of elvitegravir, 150 mg of cobicistat, 200 mg of emtricitabine, and 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (which is equivalent to 245 mg of tenofovir disoproxil). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, and magnesium stearate; film-coating: indigo carmine (FD&C Blue No. 2) aluminum lake, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended adult dose of this medication is one tablet (containing 150 mg of elvitegravir, 150 mg of cobicistat, 200 mg of emtricitabine, and 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) taken by mouth, once daily.
This medication should be taken with food.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose and it is more than 12 hours until your next dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication in its original container at room temperature. Protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take cobicistat-emtricitabine-elvitegravir-tenofovir if you:
- are allergic to cobicistat, emtricitabine, elvitegravir, tenofovir or any ingredients of the medication
- are taking any of the following medications:
- alfuzosin
- apixaban
- ergot derivatives for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine)
- cisapride
- lomitapide
- lurasidone
- midazolam
- pimozide
- rifampin
- rivaroxaban
- salmeterol
- seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin)
- sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension
- "statin" cholesterol lowering medications (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin)
- St. John's wort
- triazolam
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abnormal dreams
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- gas
- headache
- nausea
- stomach pain
- tiredness
- trouble sleeping
- upset stomach
- vomiting
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- back pain
- bone pain
- decreased body fat from legs, arms, and face
- increased body fat around the trunk, neck, and breast
- inflammation of the nasal cavity and throat area
- muscle pain or weakness
- rash
- shortness of breath
- signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
- signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased thirst, change in urination, swelling legs or feet, listless and tired)
- signs of liver problems (e.g., yellowing of skin and eyes, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains)
- sinus inflammation (sinus congestion, pain)
- skin discoloration (freckles or small spots)
- symptoms of autoimmune disorders (e.g., fever, joint or muscle pain, rash, swelling or fatigue)
- upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., cold, flu)
- weakness
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of lactic acidosis (e.g., nausea, vomiting, increased breathing rate, abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, dizziness, rapid irregular heart rate)
- signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
- thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Bone effects: Tenofovir may reduce bone mineral density and should not be taken by anyone who is at risk for bone problems. If you experience bone pain or a bone fracture while taking this medication, contact your doctor. Your doctor may do tests to monitor the effect of this medication on your bones.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: This medication may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how this medication affects you.
Fat redistribution: Over time, this medication may change how fat is distributed in your body and may change your body shape. You may notice increased fat in the upper back and neck; breast; around the back, chest, and stomach area; or loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face. The long-term effects of this are not known.
Hepatitis B: For patients with hepatitis B, your doctor will talk to you about HIV treatment before you begin taking this medication. The safety and effectiveness of taking this medication if you have both HIV and hepatitis B have not been determined. People with hepatitis B, who have taken emtricitabine or tenofovir (two of the medications in this product) have experienced severe recurrences of hepatitis B when the emtricitabine or tenofovir and have been stopped.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: This medication may cause immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, where signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections appear. These symptoms occur soon after starting anti-HIV medication and can vary. They are thought to occur as a result of the immune system improving and being able to fight infections that have been present without symptoms (such as pneumonia, herpes, or tuberculosis). Report any new symptoms to your doctor immediately.
Kidney function: This medication has been reported to cause severely reduced kidney function, including kidney failure. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience signs of decreased kidney function such as reduced urination, swelling of the legs or ankles, fatigue, shortness of breath, or confusion, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Lactic acidosis and enlarged liver: This medication can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid), together with an enlarged fatty liver. Your doctor will periodically monitor you and perform laboratory tests to check your liver function. If you notice any symptoms of this condition such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness, tiredness, feeling cold, dizziness, lightheadedness, or irregular heartbeat, seek immediate medical attention.
Liver function: Elvitegravir and cobicistat are removed from the body by the liver and may cause liver problems. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, feeling unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine), contact your doctor immediately.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Tenofovir may cause or worsen pancreatitis. If you have a history of or are at risk for developing pancreatitis, you should be closely monitored by your doctor while taking this medication. If you develop signs of pancreatitis (e.g., upper left abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), contact your doctor.
Stopping the medication: If you stop taking this medication, your HIV infection could get worse. Some people who also have hepatitis B infection experience a flare-up of hepatitis B when tenofovir or emtricitabine are stopped. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if cobicistat or elvitegravir passes into breast milk. Emtricitabine and tenofovir pass into breast milk and may affect your baby. People who have HIV infection are cautioned against breast-feeding because of the risk of passing HIV to a baby who does not have the infection.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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