Has your doctor prescribed you a new medicine to control your HIV infection? Or maybe you are already taking this medicine. This medicine contains four drugs: Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir alafenamide. It is most commonly known in the market as Symtuza®. In this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about this medicine in a very simple and friendly way.
What is this medicine? Simply put...
Okay, let's first look at what this medicine does. Although it's actually one pill, it contains three main types of antiretroviral medicines that control the HIV virus in your body, plus a booster that increases the effectiveness of those medicines. This means that instead of taking many pills, one pill does the job.
The most important thing: This medicine cannot completely cure HIV infection. However, it can help you live a healthy life by keeping the amount of virus in your body at a very low level. It can also help reduce the risk of you spreading HIV to someone else. But it is important to remember that it does not completely eliminate that risk.
Things to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Especially if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell them about them.
- If you have diabetes .
- If you have kidney disease .
- Liver disease , especially conditions like Hepatitis B.
- If you have blood clotting problems, such as hemophilia .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir, or any sulfa drugs contained in this medicine.
- If you have any allergies to any other medicine, food, or coloring.
- If you are pregnant or expecting a baby .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
The correct way to use this medicine
To get the most out of a medication, it is essential to use it correctly.
- Take with food: Take this tablet with a meal and a glass of water. Do not take on an empty stomach.
- Take it on time: Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. Take the exact dose as prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not skip doses: This is the most important thing. No matter how well you feel, do not stop taking your medication for even a day or skip a dose. Doing so can cause the HIV virus to become resistant not only to this medication but also to other HIV medications. It is like letting the enemy escape in the middle of a battle and then coming back stronger.
- Do not stop taking medication: Never stop taking medication without your doctor's advice.
What if the dosage of the medicine increases? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) at the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose? (Missed Dose)
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
This is a very important part. Symtuza® is a medication that can interact with many other medications. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
| Do NOT Take Symtuza® with These Medications! | |
|---|---|
| Type of medicine | Examples |
| Some for blood pressure, heart disease | Dronedarone, Ranolazine |
| For cholesterol | Lomitapide, Lovastatin, Simvastatin |
| Seizures | Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital |
| For headaches (migraines) | Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine |
| Other HIV/AIDS medications | (Ask your doctor) |
| Herbal medicine | St. John's Wort |
| Other | Alfuzosin, Cisapride, Lurasidone, Midazolam, Pimozide, Sildenafil (for pulmonary hypertension), Triazolam, Rifampin |
If you are already taking any of the medications listed above, be sure to tell your doctor before starting Symtuza®.
There are many other medications that can interact with Symtuza®, so give your doctor a list of all the medications you take, including painkillers, vitamins, birth control pills, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic medicines.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Regular checkups: Go to your doctor's scheduled checkups. It's also important to get the necessary blood work done.
- Serious skin reactions: Some people may develop serious skin reactions even weeks after starting this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms like fever or chills, along with red or purple skin rash, blistering, or peeling skin . Also watch out for a rash that appears on the face, lips, or around the neck or armpits.
- Hepatitis B status: If you have Hepatitis B, stopping this medication suddenly may worsen your Hepatitis B symptoms. So talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.
- Birth control: Birth control pills may be less effective when taking this medication. Therefore, it is very important to use an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, to prevent pregnancy.
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may increase blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor if you need to make any changes to your diet or diabetes medications.
Side effects that may occur due to the medicine
Like any medication, this one can have some side effects. Let's break them down into two categories.
| Side effect/symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| If you have any of these, call your doctor immediately. | |
| Serious Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, pale stools, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of Kidney Injury | Difficulty urinating, change in the amount of urine that comes out, lower back pain. |
| Symptoms of High Blood Sugar | Thirst or hunger more than usual, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| If these persist or become bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Changes in body fat distribution, such as diarrhea, headaches, stomach aches, increased waist circumference, and thin limbs. |
How do you store your medicine?
- Keep away from children.
- Keep at room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius).
- Discard after expiration.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Remember, if you have any questions about this medication, the best person to ask is your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Always take Symtuza® tablets with a meal .
- Never skip a dose. Continue to take the medicine even if you feel well.
- This medicine controls HIV, but does not completely cure it.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
- If you experience symptoms such as severe skin rash and yellowing of the eyes along with a fever, seek medical advice immediately .
- Use an extra protective method, such as a condom , as birth control pills may be less effective when taking this medicine.
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