Is Stribild used for PrEP?
No, Stribild is not approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Stribild is used to treat (not prevent) HIV infection.
- Stribild tablet contains the medicines cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
- Stribild is taken once a day with food and is a complete HIV treatment regimen. It is not used with other HIV medicines.
- It can be used in people who have not received anti-HIV medicines in the past, or in certain people to replace their current anti-HIV medicines.
It is not known if Stribild is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age or who weigh under 77 lbs (35 kgs).
Take Stribild exactly as your doctor prescribes it.
What can I use for PrEP?
There are two oral medicines and one long-acting injection that the FDA approved to be used for PrEP.
Two oral antiviral medications, Truvada and Descovy, are approved to be used for PrEP in the U.S. PrEP is a highly effective, once-a-day pill regimen used to prevent HIV infection. PrEP reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex by 99%, when used as directed.
- Truvada (tenofovir, disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine)
- Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide).
Stribild also contains both emtricitabine and tenofovir, similar to Truvada and Descovy, but not enough studies have been done to show it is effective for PrEP.
In Dec. 2021, the FDA approved a new long-acting intramuscular injection for PrEP called Apretude (cabotegravir).
- Apretude is approved for use in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb) who are at risk of sexually acquiring HIV and who are HIV-1 negative prior to initiation. A negative HIV test is required prior to each injection.
- Apretude is given as an intramuscular (IM) injection once a month for the first 2 months, then once every 2 months by a healthcare provider. A negative HIV test is required prior to each injection.
- Before the first Apretude injection, patients may take oral cabotegravir (Vocabria) for at least 28 days to determine if the tolerate cabotegravir (but this is not required). However, no safety and efficacy data are available for use of Apretude without use of Vocabria first.
Learn more: HIV Treatment Options: An Overview
This is not all the information you need to know about Stribild (elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full product information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related questions
- What medicines should not be taken with Stribild?
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References
- Apretude (cabotegravir). Drugs.com. Accessed 12/31/2021 at https://www.drugs.com/apretude.html
- Preventing HIV with PrEP. Jan 18, 2024. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Accessed October 23, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/prep.html
- Stribild prescribing information. 8/2020. Gilead Sciences Inc. Foster City, CA. Accessed August 12, 2021 at https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/stribild/stribild_pi.pdf
Read next
Can Stribild be crushed?
Yes, Stribild tablets can be crushed or cut to ease administration to people who have difficulty swallowing the tablets. The effects of crushing Stribild and then combining the crushed tablet with liquid nutrition were investigated in 24 volunteers. There was no difference in most pharmacokinetic parameters, such as area under the curve between the people receiving crushed Stribild and those receiving a whole tablet with breakfast. A difference in the maximum concentration of Stribild was noted between the two groups, but this was considered not clinically relevant. People with swallowing difficulties or needing liquid feeding can safely use crushed and suspended Stribild tablets. Continue reading
How long does it take for Stribild to work?
Stribild works quickly to drop levels of HIV-1 in the blood; however, it may take several months for viral loads to become undetectable (defined in clinical studies using Stribild as an HIV-1 RNA of <50 copies/mL). Most Stribild studies were a minimum of 48 weeks duration and these showed that 94% of people with HIV-1 taking Stribild achieved undetectable viral loads. Continue reading
Can Descovy be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in HIV?
Yes. The FDA approved Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in October 2019 to help reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection. Continue reading
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