Cobicistat (By mouth)
koe-BIK-i-stat
Increases the effects of atazanavir or darunavir to help treat HIV infection. This medicine does not cure HIV or AIDS, but it may help slow the progress of the disease.
Drug classes
Anti-Infective Agent, Antiviral (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Cobicistat is used to increase the effects of atazanavir or darunavir for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment. You need to take cobicistat at the same time you take atazanavir or darunavir.
Do not change your dose or stop using this medicine without talking with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even briefly, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist before your supply is low so you do not run out.
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Missed dose: Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
If it has been less than 12 hours since you were supposed to take your dose, take the missed dose right away. If it has been more than 12 hours since you were supposed to take your dose, wait and take the next dose at your usual time.Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the medicine in the original bottle.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
There are many other drugs that can interact with cobicistat. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using. You must avoid the following medicines because they could cause serious health problems, including death: alfuzosin, carbamazepine, cisapride, dronedarone, indinavir, irinotecan, lovastatin, midazolam, nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pimozide, rifampin, sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension, simvastatin, St John’s wort, triazolam, and ergot medicine (including dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine).
If you take an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine. If you take other stomach medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist when you should take it.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to cobicistat.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.
This medicine may cause kidney problems, including Fanconi syndrome, when it is used with tenofovir.
Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.
This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, blood in your urine, lower back or side pain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Tybost
There may be other brand names for this medicine.