Prezcobix (Darunavir And Cobicistat)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Prezcobix Used For?
Prezcobix is an antiretroviral medicine that contains two active ingredients – darunavir and cobicistat – which work together to treat HIV infection in adults.
Primary Uses
Prezcobix is used to treat adults who are infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). It must be taken with other anti-HIV medicines as part of combination therapy.
How It Works
Prezcobix works by reducing the amount of HIV in your body. Darunavir is the HIV medicine, which needs to be combined with cobicistat, a medicine that increases the amount of HIV medicine in your blood to help control your HIV infection.
Good to know: Your doctor will discuss with you which combination of medicines is best for you when taking Prezcobix with other anti-HIV medicines.
How to Take Prezcobix
Always take Prezcobix exactly as your doctor has told you. The medication cannot work properly without food, so it must always be taken with a meal or snack.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet taken by mouth once daily with food. You must eat a meal or snack within 30 minutes before taking your Prezcobix. The type of food is not important. Swallow the tablets whole with water, milk, or any other nutritional drink. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you notice within 12 hours, take the tablet immediately with food. If you notice after 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as usual. Always take with food.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Prezcobix cannot work properly without food.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Passing wind
- Rash
- Itching or hives on the skin
- Fever or rashes
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
- Increased blood fat levels
- Raised blood sugar
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe liver problems (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, severe nausea/vomiting)
- Severe or life-threatening skin rash
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, shortness of breath, swelling of face/lips/tongue)
- Increased bleeding in patients with haemophilia
- Signs of serious infections
- Immune reactivation syndrome
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Prezcobix.
Who Should Not Take Prezcobix
Do not use if you are allergic to darunavir, cobicistat, or any other ingredients. Do not use if you are taking certain medicines including alfuzosin, astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, colchicine (if you have kidney/liver problems), heart rhythm medicines like amiodarone or dronedarone, cholesterol medicines like lovastatin or simvastatin, sleep medicines like midazolam or triazolam, psychiatric medicines like lurasidone or pimozide, blood thinner apixaban, seizure medicines like carbamazepine, migraine medicines containing ergot alkaloids, sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension, rifampin, elbasvir/grazoprevir, St John’s wort, naloxegol, or dapoxetine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis, liver problems including hepatitis B or C, diabetes (as Prezcobix may increase blood sugar levels), haemophilia (increased bleeding risk), or allergies to sulfa medicines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Prezcobix if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. HIV-infected women should not breastfeed because of the possibility of the baby becoming infected with HIV through breast milk and because of unknown effects of the medicine on the baby.
Age Restriction: Prezcobix should not be given to children younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Prezcobix can interact with many other medicines. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Contraceptive Warning: Prezcobix might reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Additional or alternative non-hormonal methods of contraception are recommended.
- Hepatitis C medicines (telaprevir, boceprevir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir)
- Seizure medicines (oxcarbazepine)
- Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
- Sleep disorder medicines (armodafinil, modafinil)
- Tuberculosis medicines (rifabutin, rifapentine)
- Heart medicines (amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nifedipine, tadalafil, verapamil)
- Blood thinners (dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin, ticagrelor, clopidogrel)
- Hormonal contraceptives
- Cholesterol medicines (pravastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin)
- Immune system medicines (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus)
- Antifungal medicines (clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
- Erectile dysfunction medicines (avanafil, vardenafil, tadalafil, sildenafil)
- Antidepressants (paroxetine, sertraline, amitriptyline)
- Narcotic dependence medicines (buprenorphine, methadone)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery while taking Prezcobix, as it may cause dizziness.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not operate machines or drive if you feel dizzy after taking Prezcobix. Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Prezcobix affects you.
Temperature Regulation
No temperature regulation warnings are mentioned in the source material.
Storage
Store Prezcobix below 30°C in the original packaging to protect from moisture. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep where young children cannot reach it. The plastic bottle comes with a child-resistant cap.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Prezcobix, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prezcobix works by reducing the amount of HIV in your body as part of combination therapy. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests to check how well the treatment is working.
Yes, you must always take Prezcobix with food. The medication cannot work properly without food. You should eat a meal or snack within 30 minutes before taking your dose.
No information about addiction potential is mentioned in the source material. Prezcobix is an antiretroviral medicine used to treat HIV infection.
Do not stop taking Prezcobix without talking to your doctor first, even if you feel better. HIV therapy may increase your sense of well-being, but stopping treatment can allow the virus to multiply again.
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Prezcobix. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
If you notice within 12 hours, take the tablet immediately with food. If you notice after 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as usual. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, Prezcobix does not stop you from passing HIV infection to others. You must continue to practice safe behaviors including using condoms, not sharing needles, and not sharing personal items that may have blood or body fluids on them.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.