Has your doctor prescribed you a medication to treat HIV infection? If so, you may have received a combination of several drugs in one pill. These types of drugs are now widely used in treatment. Today we are going to talk about one such combination of drugs. Although the name of this one may seem a bit long and complicated, don't worry. We will explain it in a very simple way so that you can understand it.
What exactly is this medicine?
Simply put, it's a combination of four medications in one pill. It contains three drugs that work against the HIV virus (we call these `antiretroviral` drugs) and another drug that increases the effectiveness of those drugs, or `boosts` them. This pill is used to control HIV infection.
The most important thing to remember is that this is not a cure for HIV. It does, however, control the amount of virus in your body, support your immune system, and help you live a healthy life. Also, when used correctly, this medication can significantly reduce , if not completely eliminate, the risk of you passing HIV to someone else.
This drug can be found in the market under the brand name `STRIBILD`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- If you have bone problems (e.g. osteoporosis, frequent fractures).
- If you have or have had kidney disease .
- If you have a liver disease (e.g. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C).
- If you have had an allergic reaction to the medicines `elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, tenofovir` contained in this medicine or to any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant , or planning to have a baby .
- If you are breastfeeding your baby .
It is very important for your safety to tell this information without hiding it.
How should I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is essential to use it correctly.
- Take this pill with a glass of water.
- Most importantly: Always take this medicine with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach. The medicine is best absorbed by the body when taken with food.
- Take your medicine at the same time each day, as prescribed by your doctor. Get into the habit of taking it at the same time every day without changing the time.
- Don't drink more or less than the recommended amount.
- Do not skip medication. Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. If you skip medication, the HIV virus can become resistant not only to this medication but also to other HIV medications. If this happens, treatment will be much more difficult.
- Never stop taking medication without your doctor's advice.
Should this medicine be given to children?
This medicine is sometimes prescribed for children over the age of 12. However, this should be decided by a pediatrician. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
What if I take too much medicine?
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) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it 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 cause problems with this medicine
This is a very important part. This HIV medicine can interact with some other medicines. It can either make the HIV medicine less effective, or it can change the way the other medicine works, causing dangerous side effects.
| Medicines to avoid with this medicine | |
|---|---|
| Drug category | Examples |
| Some medications for seizures | carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin |
| Some cholesterol-lowering medications | lovastatin, simvastatin |
| Some HIV/AIDS medications | Other HIV treatments (unless prescribed by a doctor) |
| Herbal medicine | St. John's wort |
| Other medications | alfuzosin, cisapride, lurasidone, pimozide, sildenafil ( ), rifampin |
| Other drugs that may cause problems with this medicine (Use with Caution) | |
|---|---|
| Drug category | Examples |
| Antacids | Medicine for stomach inflammation |
| Some antibiotics | clarithromycin, rifabutin |
| Medicines for blood pressure and heart disease | amlodipine, metoprolol, verapamil |
| Family planning pills and hormones | Birth control pills, other hormonal treatments |
| Steroid drugs | prednisolone, dexamethasone, fluticasone (inhalers) |
Important: These two lists are not complete. Tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, herbal products, traditional medicine, and anything else you are taking.
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Regular medical check-ups: Be sure to go to your doctor on your scheduled appointments. If you develop any new symptoms, talk to your doctor about them. While taking this medicine, you may need to have blood tests to check how your kidneys, liver, and other organs are working.
- Preventing the spread of HIV: HIV is spread through sexual contact and blood. Talk to your doctor about safe ways to prevent the spread of HIV while taking this medicine.
- Hepatitis B: If you have Hepatitis B infection, stopping this medication suddenly may worsen your Hepatitis B symptoms. Therefore, talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.
- Birth control: This medicine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Therefore, if you want to prevent pregnancy, be sure to use another form of contraception, such as condoms, in addition to birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about this as well.
What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue |
| Symptoms of kidney damage | Difficulty urinating, change in the amount of urine produced |
| 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 |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle pain or weakness |
| If these symptoms persist or become bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Diarrhea | Headache |
| Nausea | Tiredness |
Take-Home Message
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time, with meals . Do not skip any meals.
- Although this is not a cure for HIV, it is essential to control the virus and live a healthy life.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- Because the effectiveness of birth control pills may be reduced when taking this medication, it is very important to use an additional method of birth control, such as condoms .
- If symptoms of serious side effects (yellowing of the skin, difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions) occur, seek medical advice immediately .
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