Did your doctor prescribe Symtuza for you to treat your HIV infection? It's actually just one pill, but it contains four different types of medication. So today, let's talk in a very simple and friendly way about what this pill actually does, how exactly it should be used, and what things we should be aware of.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this medication (often known by the brand name Symtuza) is used to control the symptoms of HIV infection. That is, it works by stopping the spread of the HIV virus inside your body, which means it limits the virus from multiplying.
But it's important to remember this: This medicine does not cure HIV or AIDS. It only controls the virus and helps you live a healthy life.
Also, even when you are taking this medicine, there is still a chance that you can pass the HIV virus on to others, that is, you can get infected. Therefore, it is very important to follow safe methods. Also, this medicine does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Things to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health. So if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you have diabetes .
- If you have hemophilia , a blood clotting problem.
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease .
- Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir, or any of the sulfa drugs in this medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, or preservatives.
- If you are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
How should I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is very important to know how to use it correctly.
- Take this pill with a glass of water .
- Be sure to take this medicine with a meal . Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip doses. If you skip doses, the HIV virus can become resistant to this medicine and even other medicines. This means that the medicine may not work as well later.
- Continue using this treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you give this medicine to children...
Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, talk to your doctor about it carefully.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you suddenly think you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
Most importantly: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
It is possible to miss a dose. If this happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take double or extra doses.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This medicine may interact with some other medicines. Therefore, it is very important to inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking. Be especially careful with the medicines listed below.
| These medications should never be taken with Symtuza. | |
|---|---|
| Alfuzosin | Pimozide |
| Some medications for heart disease, such as dronedarone, ivabradine, and ranolazine | Rifampin |
| Some medications used for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital | Sildenafil (when given for pulmonary hypertension) |
| Colchicine (if you have liver or kidney problems) | St. John's wort (herbal medicine) |
| Elbasvir; grazoprevir | Triazolam |
| Lurasidone | Midazolam |
| Cholesterol medications like lomitapide, lovastatin, and simvastatin | Other HIV or AIDS medications (such as Adefovir) |
| Some medications for migraines, such as dihydroergotamine and ergotamine | Irinotecan |
| If you are taking these medications, inform your doctor. |
|---|
| Antibiotics, Hormones, Cancer drugs, Antifungals, Medicines for mental illnesses, Blood thinners, Painkillers (NSAIDs, Opioids), Steroids, Medicines for high blood pressure, Other medicines for cholesterol, Medicines for heart rhythm disorders, and many other types of medicines. |
| This is not a complete list. So tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamins). Also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
While you are taking this medicine, you need to pay special attention to some things.
- Regular medical checkups: See your doctor at regular intervals to monitor your progress. Talk to your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. You may also need to have some important blood tests while taking this medicine.
- Preventing the spread of HIV: HIV is spread through sexual contact and blood. Talk to your doctor about how you can stop it.
- Serious skin reactions: This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions. These may occur even weeks after starting the medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a rash with symptoms such as fever or chills . These rashes may turn red or purple and then blister or peel. Or, if you develop a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, seek medical advice right away.
- If you have Hepatitis B: If you also have Hepatitis B infection, you should talk to your doctor before stopping this medication, as stopping this medication may worsen the symptoms of Hepatitis B.
- Birth control: If you are using birth control pills or other methods that contain hormones (estrogen and progestin), their effectiveness may be reduced while taking this medicine. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control (for example, a condom).
- Blood sugar levels: This medicine may increase blood sugar levels. This risk is higher in people who already have diabetes. Ask your doctor how you can reduce this risk.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual tiredness. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Increased blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Unusual thirst or increased urination, unusual tiredness, blurred vision. |
| Serious skin reactions | Redness, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). Skin lesions with fever and swollen lymph nodes. |
| Lipodystrophy | Changes in the way body fat is stored (e.g., increased fat in the upper back or abdomen, decreased fat in the face, arms, or legs). |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Stomach ache/stomachache | Diarrhea |
| Tiredness | Nausea |
| Headache | Gas |
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
- Storage: Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Do not use expired medicine.
- Disposal: The best way to dispose of unused or expired medications is to donate them to a special program. Ask your doctor about this. If that is not possible, do not flush the pills down the toilet or directly into the trash. Remove the pills from the bottle, mix them with something like coffee grounds, soil, or used cat litter, and place them in a sealable bag or container and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine controls the HIV virus, but does not completely cure it.
- Take the medicine at the prescribed time, with meals , as the doctor tells you. Don't skip any meals.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious side effects, such as severe skin rashes, yellowing of the eyes or skin, along with fever.
- If you use birth control pills, talk to your doctor about an extra safe method, as this medicine may make them less effective.
- Maintain regular contact with your doctor. Don't be afraid to discuss any concerns with them.
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