Stribild can harm your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have: upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.
Do not stop using Stribild without your doctor's advice. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you've ever had hepatitis B, it may become active or get worse after you stop using Stribild. You may need frequent liver function tests for several months.
Many drugs can interact with cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir and some should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you use.
Before taking Stribild
You should not take Stribild if you are allergic to cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, or tenofovir.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Stribild. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
alfuzosin;
cisapride;
oral midazolam, or triazolam;
rifampin;
sildenafil (Revatio, for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension);
St. John's wort;
antipsychotic medicine - lurasidone, pimozide;
cholesterol medication - lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin;
ergot medicine - dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine; or
seizure medicine - carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin.
Stribild is a complete combination treatment and should not be used with other antiviral medications, especially those that contain adefovir, cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, ritonavir, or tenofovir: Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Epivir, Epzicom, Evotaz, Hepsera, Kaletra, Norvir, Odefsey, Prezcobix, Symfi, Symtuza, Technivie, Triumeq, Trizivir, Tybost, Viekira, and others.
To make sure Stribild is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
hepatitis B or other liver problems;
kidney disease; or
bone problems.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.
Stribild may not work as well if you take it during pregnancy. Do not start taking the medicine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for another antiviral medicine to use during pregnancy. Use all medications properly to control your infection.
If you do not plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor about using a non- hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy. Cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir can increase certain side effects when taken with hormonal birth control (pills, injections, implants, skin patches, vaginal rings).
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breastfeed. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
How should I take Stribild?
Stribild is usually taken once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take with food.
You will need frequent medical tests. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.
Use Stribild regularly to get the most benefit. Your disease may become resistant if you miss doses. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
If you've ever had hepatitis B, this virus may become active or get worse in the months after you stop using Stribild. You may need frequent liver function tests while using Stribild and for several months after your last dose.
