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Does Symtuza cause weight gain?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on March 31, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Symtuza may lead to mild weight gain as a side effect. In two clinical studies over 96 weeks, patients taking Symtuza gained about 2 kg (4.4 lbs). The exact reason why some antiretroviral medications cause weight gain is not fully understood.

Managing Weight While on Symtuza

The effects of weight gain from HIV treatment like Symtuza aren’t fully known. To lower your risk of gaining weight:

  • Maintain a balanced diet
  • Engage in regular exercise
  • Discuss concerns with your healthcare provider

What Is Symtuza Approved For?

Symtuza is an FDA-approved combination antiretroviral regimen containing darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. It is used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in:

  • Adults and children (≥40 kg)
  • Patients with no prior antiretroviral treatment
  • Patients who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) for at least 6 months

Approved in 2018, Symtuza offers a complete, once-daily treatment option for eligible patients.

References

Huhn, G. D., et. al. (2021). Week 96 subgroup analyses of the phase 3, randomized AMBER and EMERALD trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of the once daily darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) single-tablet regimen in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve and -experienced, virologically-suppressed adults living with HIV-1. In: HIV Research and Clinical Practice. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/25787489.2020.1844520

Ruderman, S. A., et. al. (2021). Brief Report: Weight Gain Following ART Initiation in ART-Naïve People Living With HIV in the Current Treatment Era. In: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000002556

Symtuza [package insert]. (2023). Janssen Products LP. Accessed 06/28/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=85a17d00-6b7c-41ea-a6b3-5ad924820dab

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