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Overview: Prezcobix is used to treat HIV. It works by helping stop the spread of HIV in your body. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, rash, headache, and stomach pain. Prezcobix interacts with many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines and supplements you take.

Uses

What is Prezcobix used for?

Prezcobix (darunavir/cobicistat) is commonly used for the treatment of HIV.

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

How does Prezcobix work (mechanism of action)?

Prezcobix contains 2 medicines: darunavir and cobicistat. 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 Prezcobix supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Prezcobix

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 675 mg/150 mg oral tablets
  • 800 mg/150 mg oral tablets

How should I store Prezcobix?

Prezcobix should be stored 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 Prezcobix?

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

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rash (see below)
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain

There may be other side effects of Prezcobix 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 Prezcobix?

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

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Prezcobix. Keep all appointments for blood tests to check the health of your liver. 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 in color (also called jaundice)

Rash or Severe Skin Reactions. Prezcobix can commonly cause a rash. It can sometimes cause a severe rash or skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Stop taking Prezcobix and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches

High Blood Sugar. Prezcobix may increase your blood sugar levels and possibly lead to or worsen diabetes. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood tests. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

  • Thirstier than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Fruity-smelling breath 

Fat Redistribution. Some people taking Prezcobix have changes in how their body stores fat. You may get more fat around the belly, breasts, or upper back (buffalo hump). You may lose fat in your arms, legs, face, or butt. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Immune System Changes. When you start Prezcobix, 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 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. Prezcobix may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Prezcobix 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 that 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 Prezcobix?

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

  • Cobicistat
  • Darunavir
  • Prezcobix
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

Drug Interactions. Prezcobix should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Prezcobix, 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 Prezcobix before using it?

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

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

Keep Prezcobix out of the reach of children.

Take each dose of Prezcobix with food.

If you are unable to swallow the tablet whole, you may be able to split it. Talk to your pharmacist about how to do this properly.

It is important to keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for lab 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.

While Prezcobix can help keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Prezcobix 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 Prezcobix?

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 Prezcobix is right for you.

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

Sulfa Allergy. Some people who have a sulfa allergy may be allergic to Prezcobix. A sulfa allergy is a rash or more serious reaction to sulfa, or sulfonamide, medicines. Sulfa medicines include sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine silver, or sulfasalazine. Tell your health care provider if you have any allergies to medicines. Your health care provider can help you decide if it is safe for you to take Prezcobix.

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

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Prezcobix could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Prezcobix 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 Prezcobix, 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. It is not known if Prezcobix 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 Prezcobix and having HIV.

How can I get more information about Prezcobix?

For more information about Prezcobix, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.prezcobix.com or call them at 800-526-7736.

Interactions

Does Prezcobix interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Prezcobix.

Does Prezcobix interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Many medicines interact with Prezcobix. 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 Prezcobix.

  • Any other medicine for HIV
  • A medicine for hepatitis C
  • Alfuzosin, which is a medicine used for trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
  • Colchicine, which is a medicine commonly used for gout 
  • 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 
  • Dronedarone (Multaq), which is a medicine used to help keep a normal heart rhythm in people who have had atrial fibrillation
  • Ivabradine (Corlanor), which is a medicine used for heart failure
  • Ranolazine (Aspruzyo Sprinkle), which is a medicine used for chest pain
  • 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, rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • Lomitapide (Juxtapid), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • Naloxegol (Movantik), which is a medicine used to treat constipation caused by an opioid pain medicine
  • 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 
  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Prezcobix, 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 Prezcobix. 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 Prezcobix?

If you or someone else has used too much Prezcobix, 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 Prezcobix?

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