Have you or someone you know been prescribed treatment for HIV infection? If so, you must have heard about the different types of medications that doctors prescribe. Today we are going to talk about one such very important, one-pill combination. Let's understand everything about this drug, commonly known by the brand name `Genvoya`, in simple terms.
What kind of medicine is this really?
Simply put, it is a single pill that combines three antiretroviral drugs that fight HIV, plus a booster drug that increases the effectiveness of those drugs. Its main ingredients are `Elvitegravir`, `Cobicistat`, `Emtricitabine` and `Tenofovir Alafenamide`.
The important thing is that this is not a cure for HIV infection. But it does help control the amount of HIV in your body and keep your immune system strong.
Also, when used correctly, this medication significantly reduces the risk of transmitting the HIV virus to someone else. However, it is important to remember that this risk does not completely disappear.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing this medication, it is essential that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Be sure to tell him/her if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have any kidney-related condition.
- If you have any liver disease.
- If you have previously had an allergic reaction to any ingredient in this medicine, another medicine, food, or preservative.
- If you are pregnant , or are expecting a baby .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How should I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Take with food: Always take this medicine with a meal and a glass of water. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Take it on time: Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. This will help keep the levels of the medicine in your body consistent.
- Do not skip doses: This is the most important thing. No matter how well you feel, do not skip doses or stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause the HIV virus to become resistant to the medication. This is very dangerous.
- If giving to children: If your child has been prescribed this medication, be sure to talk to a pediatrician for advice.
- If you take too much medicine: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine by mistake, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Alternatively, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible.
Remember, this medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
This is a very important part. Taking this medicine with other medicines can cause serious problems. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including vitamins, herbal medicines, and traditional medicines.
| Never take this medicine with it! | |
|---|---|
| Type of medicine | Examples |
| Some cholesterol-lowering medications | lovastatin, simvastatin |
| Some medications for epilepsy | carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin |
| A medicine for tuberculosis | rifampin |
| Some medications for headaches/migraines | dihydroergotamine, ergotamine |
| Other HIV/AIDS antiviral medications | Ask the doctor. |
| An herbal medicine | St. John's wort |
| Other medications that may cause problems with this medicine (tell your doctor ) | |
|---|---|
| Antacids | Medicine for stomach acid |
| Antibiotics, antifungals | clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole |
| Medicines for blood pressure and heart disease | amlodipine, metoprolol, verapamil |
| Medications for mental illness and depression | risperidone, thioridazine |
| Birth control pills and types of hormones | Estrogens, progestins |
| Types of steroids | prednisolone, dexamethasone, fluticasone (inhalers) |
This is not a complete list, so it is very important to inform your doctor about everything you are using.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular checkups: Attend regular checkups with your doctor. You may need blood tests to monitor things like your kidney and liver function while taking this medication.
- Hepatitis B status: If you also have Hepatitis B infection, stopping this medication without your doctor's advice may worsen Hepatitis B symptoms. So talk about that as well.
- Birth control: This medication may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Therefore, if you want to prevent pregnancy, you should definitely use another barrier method of birth control, such as a condom. Talk to your doctor about this and get further advice.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, extreme fatigue, fever. |
| Symptoms of kidney damage | Difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine that comes out. |
| Other serious symptoms | Fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle pain or weakness. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Diarrhea, nausea. |
| Other | Headache, fatigue. |
Take-Home Message
- Take this medicine at the same time every day, with food. Never skip a dose.
- This is not a cure for HIV, but it helps control the virus and lead a healthy life.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, even vitamins.
- If you experience serious side effects such as yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, or skin rashes, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medication, don't be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
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