7 mins read

Stribild is used to treat HIV. It contains four medicines that work together to help stop the spread of HIV in your body. Common side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Keep all appointments, including for blood tests, before you start and while taking Stribild. Stribild interacts with many other medicines. Tell your health care providers about all medicines and supplements you take.

Uses

What is Stribild used for?

Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is commonly used for the treatment of HIV.

Stribild may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Stribild work (mechanism of action)?

Stribild contains four medicines: elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. These medicines work together to help stop the spread of HIV in your body. A lower amount of HIV in your body helps protect and preserve the immune system.

How is Stribild supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Stribild

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 150 mg/150 mg/200 mg/300 mg oral tablets

How should I store Stribild?

Stribild should be stored tightly closed in the original container at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Stribild?

The most common side effects of Stribild are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of Stribild that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Stribild?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Stribild are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking Stribild. Keep all appointments for blood and urine (pee) testing to check the health of your kidneys. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Lactic Acidosis. Stribild may cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in your blood), which can be serious. Stop taking Stribild and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.

  • General ill feeling
  • Muscle pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Drowsiness or dizziness
  • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Stribild. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Weak Bones. Using Stribild for a long time may cause your bones to become weaker, leading to reduced bone density (osteopenia). It may also cause a more serious condition called osteoporosis, which can cause your bones to break (fracture) more easily. Tell your health care provider if you break a bone, and get a bone mineral density test if one is ordered for you.

Immune System Changes. When you start Stribild, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of an infection.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Vision problems
  • Confusion, problems talking, or headache
  • Skin problems, such as a painful rash or warts
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Weakness or coordination problems

Severe Allergic Reactions. Stribild may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Stribild and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Stribild?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Stribild.

  • Cobicistat
  • Elvitegravir
  • Emtricitabine
  • Stribild
  • Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Stribild.

Drug Interactions. Stribild should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Stribild, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Stribild before using it?

Do not take Stribild unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Stribild with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Stribild out of the reach of children.

Take each dose of Stribild with food.

Taking certain antacids or supplements at the same time as Stribild can make it not work as well. Talk with your health care provider about the best way to take antacids or supplements while taking Stribild.

It is important to keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood tests, before starting this medicine and while you are taking it. This helps your health care provider make sure it is safe for you to take this medicine.

If you have HIV and hepatitis B, stopping Stribild can cause a serious flare-up, or worsening, of your hepatitis B. Your health care provider will test you for hepatitis B before or when starting this medicine. Do not run out of Stribild or stop taking it without talking to your health care provider first. If you have HIV and hepatitis B and stop taking Stribild, keep all appointments for blood tests so your health care provider can check the health of your liver.

While Stribild can help keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Stribild does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Stribild?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Stribild is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems, including hepatitis B
  • Kidney problems
  • Bone problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Stribild could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Stribild is not recommended during pregnancy because it may not work as well to treat HIV. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Stribild, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263 or at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Stribild passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking Stribild and having HIV.

How can I get more information about Stribild?

For more information about Stribild, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.stribild.com or call them at 800-445-3235.

Interactions

Does Stribild interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Stribild and foods or drinks. Stribild should be taken with food.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Stribild.

Does Stribild interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Many medicines interact with Stribild. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Stribild.

  • Any other medicine for HIV
  • A medicine for hepatitis C
  • An antacid, laxative, supplement, or vitamin containing aluminum, calcium, iron, or magnesium
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever 
  • Alfuzosin, which is a medicine used for trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis 
  • An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions 
  • An ergot, such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal or Trudhesa) or ergotamine (Ergomar), which is a medicine used to treat migraine 
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression 
  • A statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor and others), lovastatin, or simvastatin (Zocor), which is a medicine used to lower cholesterol
  • Lomitapide (Juxtapid), which is a medicine used to lower cholesterol
  • A phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), which is a medicine used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • A benzodiazepine, such as midazolam or triazolam, which is a medicine used for anxiety or seizures 

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Stribild, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Stribild. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Stribild?

If you or someone else has used too much Stribild, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Stribild?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Missing doses of Stribild can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.