Question 1

What is Stribild?

Accepted Answer

Stribild is a combination antiretroviral therapy that contains four active ingredients: elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. These components work together to interfere with the replication process of the virus within the body.

By inhibiting specific viral enzymes, the medication helps to lower the viral load and support the immune system's overall health. This combination approach is designed to provide a comprehensive method for managing the infection.

Question 2

What is Stribild used for?

Accepted Answer

Stribild is used to treat HIV-1 infection .

Question 3

How does Stribild work?

Accepted Answer

How Stribild Works

Stribild is a combination medication used to treat HIV-1 infection. It works by using four different active ingredients to interfere with the way the virus replicates and spreads in the body.

Elvitegravir: This is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). It works by blocking an enzyme called integrase, which the virus uses to insert its genetic material into healthy human cells.

Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: These are nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They interfere with an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which HIV needs to convert its RNA into DNA so it can replicate.

Cobicistat: This component does not treat HIV directly. Instead, it is a pharmacokinetic enhancer that blocks a specific enzyme in the body that breaks down elvitegravir. This keeps the levels of elvitegravir high enough to remain effective against the virus.

By combining these mechanisms, Stribild helps lower the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load) and allows the immune system's CD4 cells to recover. While it helps manage the virus and reduces the risk of complications, it is not a cure for HIV.

Question 4

What are the active ingredients in Stribild?

Accepted Answer

The active ingredients in Stribild are cobicistat , elvitegravir , emtricitabine , and others.

Question 5

What are the side effects of Stribild?

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of Stribild may include:

Nausea

Diarrhea

Headache

and others.

Always consult with a healthcare professional about potential side effects.

Question 6

What drug class is Stribild?

Accepted Answer

Stribild belongs to the antiretroviral combination drug class .

Question 7

What is the dosage of Stribild and how do I take it?

Accepted Answer

How to Take Stribild

Stribild should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider. It is typically taken once per day by mouth. It is important to take this medication with food to ensure it is absorbed correctly by the body.

To help maintain a consistent level of the medicine in the bloodstream, try to take the dose at the same time each day. Do not stop taking the medication or change the dose without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to the virus becoming harder to treat or developing resistance.

Missed Doses

If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.

Important Considerations

Consistency: Taking the medication regularly is vital for controlling the infection and preventing drug resistance.

Kidney Function: Healthcare providers will perform blood and urine tests to monitor kidney health before starting and during treatment with Stribild.

Swallowing: The tablet should be swallowed whole.

Question 8

Is Stribild safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy

Stribild is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy. Clinical data indicates that the levels of elvitegravir and cobicistat in the blood decrease significantly during the second and third trimesters. This reduction in drug levels can lead to virologic failure, meaning the medication may stop controlling the virus effectively, which increases the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby.

If you become pregnant while taking Stribild, you should speak with your healthcare provider right away about switching to a different antiretroviral regimen. Individuals who are pregnant are encouraged to enroll in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry to help monitor the safety of HIV medications during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities recommend that mothers with HIV do not breastfeed their infants. This recommendation is intended to eliminate the risk of postnatal HIV transmission through breast milk. It is also not fully known how Stribild affects a nursing infant or if all its active ingredients are present in breast milk in significant amounts.

Question 9

What forms and strengths does Stribild come in?

Accepted Answer

Stribild is available as a film-coated tablet. It is a fixed-dose combination product, which means it contains multiple active ingredients in one pill.

Each tablet contains a combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. The tablets are green, capsule-shaped, and debossed with identifying marks on one side to ensure the medication is correctly identified.

Question 10

What is the FDA approval status of Stribild?

Accepted Answer

FDA Approval

Stribild was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2012. It was the first once-daily single-tablet regimen containing an integrase inhibitor to be approved for adults who have not previously received HIV treatment.

Approved Indications

Stribild is indicated for use in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg. It is used for patients who have no prior antiretroviral treatment history or to replace a current stable regimen in patients who are virologically suppressed and meet specific clinical criteria.

Boxed Warnings

The FDA requires a boxed warning for Stribild due to the following safety concerns:

Exacerbation of Hepatitis B: Patients with both HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) may experience severe worsening of hepatitis B if they stop taking Stribild. Liver function should be monitored closely if treatment is discontinued.

Lactic Acidosis and Hepatomegaly: There is a risk of lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including hepatomegaly with steatosis. These conditions can be life-threatening.

Question 11

What should I know about Stribild and cost?

Accepted Answer

Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs

The price of Stribild is primarily determined by your health insurance plan. Most commercial insurance and Medicare Part D plans cover the medication, but it is often placed on a higher cost-sharing tier. This means your out-of-pocket expenses, such as copays or coinsurance, may vary depending on your specific plan benefits and whether you have met your deductible.

Generic Availability

Stribild is a brand-name drug that combines four active ingredients into one tablet. Currently, there is no generic version of this specific combination available. Brand-name medications typically cost more than generic alternatives.

Financial Assistance Options

Several options may help reduce the cost of Stribild for eligible patients:

Copay Coupons: The manufacturer may offer savings cards for patients with commercial insurance to help lower monthly out-of-pocket costs.

Patient Assistance Programs: Programs are often available for individuals who are uninsured or have limited income to help them access the medication at a lower cost.

Pharmacy Discounts: Some pharmacies may offer different pricing or discount programs that can affect the final cost.

Stribild

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