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Prezcobix

Generic name: cobicistat and darunavirkoe-BIK-i-stat-and-dar-UE-na-vir ]
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 22, 2023.

What is Prezcobix?

Prezcobix contains a combination of darunavir and cobicistat. Darunavir is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body. Cobicistat reduces the action of enzymes in your liver that break down certain antiviral medicines. This allows the antiviral medicines to be used more safely and effectively at lower doses.

Prezcobix is a combination medicine given together with other antiviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in adults, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Prezcobix is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Prezcobix is for use in adults and children who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

Warnings

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with Prezcobix. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a serious side effect--upper stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), fever, tiredness, eye redness, muscle or joint pain, skin sores, or a skin rash with blistering.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Prezcobix if you are allergic to cobicistat or darunavir.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with cobicistat and darunavir. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Prezcobix may not work as well if you take it during pregnancy. Do not start taking this medicine if you are pregnant, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for another antiviral medicine to use during pregnancy. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of Prezcobix on the baby.

If you do not plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy. Cobicistat and darunavir 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 breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Prezcobix should not be given to children younger than 3 years of age, or to people who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

How should I take Prezcobix?

Take Prezcobix exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Take this medicine once daily with food.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. 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 Prezcobix at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection:

1 tablet orally once a day with food

Comments:
-HIV genotypic testing is recommended before starting therapy in antiretroviral therapy-experienced patients.
-If HIV genotypic testing is not possible, this drug should be used in protease inhibitor-naive patients only.

Use: In combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in therapy-naive and therapy-experienced patients without darunavir resistance-associated substitutions (V11I, V32I, L33F, I47V, I50V, I54L, I54M, T74P, L76V, I84V, L89V)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Prezcobix side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Prezcobix (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, blisters or skin lesions, mouth sores or ulcers, red or inflamed eyes).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Prezcobix affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

Common Prezcobix side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Prezcobix?

If you also take enteric-coated didanosine (Videx EC), take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Prezcobix.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can interact with Prezcobix. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Prezcobix only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.