Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir are combined together in this medicine.
Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir is used to slow down the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and children (6 years of age and older) who weighs at least 35 kg.
Take Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition.
Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
If you miss a dose and it is within 18 hours from your missed dose, take the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
If it is more than 18 hours from your missed dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir or any other similar medicines.
Do not take Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir with medicines for enlarged prostate, epilepsy (fits or seizures), tuberculosis or TB, heart disease, migraine, mental disorders, pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries that go from your heart to your lungs), anxiety or difficulty sleeping, stomach medicine and cholesterol-lowering medicines. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- hepatitis B or C infection
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is best that you do not breastfeed as HIV passes into the breast milk. Avoid breastfeeding in order to reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. It is recommended to give your baby commercial infant formula provided that you have access to clean water and facilities.
Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir does not reduce your risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual contact or through contamination with infected blood. Ensure that you use proper precautions to avoid spreading HIV infection to others.
Both this medicine and HIV may weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Avoid crowded places or those who are sick to minimise the risk of catching an infection. While undergoing treatment, you may develop other infections or experience other health problems. Always keep your doctor updated on your condition.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- To check the appropriateness of the treatment, screening for hepatitis B infection may be needed before initiation of the therapy.
- You may need to have routine tests (e.g. certain blood tests such as CD4 count and HIV RNA, urine test, liver and kidney function test). Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of toxicity and disease progression may be needed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, stomach wind, abnormal dreams, and rash.
If you develop rashes, breathlessness, swollen mouth or eyes, stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor quickly. These could be signs of an allergic reaction.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs of infection e.g. fever, chills, night sweats, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, mouth sore, tiredness, persistent cough, painful or burning sensation when urinating
- signs of liver problems e.g. yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, light coloured stool, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- signs of lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood) e.g. deep, rapid or shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, lack of strength or energy, feeling cold in your arms or legs, unusual muscle pain
- joint pain, stiffness or difficulty moving
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir with the following medicines:
- medicines for enlarged prostate e.g. alfusozin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- medicine for tuberculosis or TB e.g. rifampicin
- medicines for heart disease e.g. amiodarone, quinidine
- medicines for migraine e.g. ergonovine, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methylergonovine
- stomach medicine e.g. cisapride
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. lovastatin, simvastatin
- medicines for mental disorders e.g. pimozide
- medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries that go from your heart to your lungs) e.g. sildenafil
- medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping e.g. midazolam, triazolam
- herbal medicines e.g. St. John’s wort
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole
- medicine for hepatitis C infection e.g. boceprevir
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin
- corticosteroids e.g. betamethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone, prednisone, triamcinolone
- medicines used to neutralise stomach acid (antacid) e.g. aluminium or magnesium-containing antacids
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. digoxin, metoprolol, diltiazem
- birth control pills
- medicine for diabetes e.g. metformin
- medicine for gout e.g. colchicine
- medicine for asthma e.g. salmeterol
- medicines for depression e.g. sertraline
- medicines for organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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