Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir is a medication used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is a combination of four antiretroviral drugs in one pill, taken once a day. The four drugs are elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil.

Composition

The medication is composed of four active ingredients:

• Elvitegravir is an integrase inhibitor that prevents the virus from integrating its genetic material into the host cell.
• Cobicistat is a pharmacokinetic enhancer that increases the effectiveness of elvitegravir by inhibiting its metabolism in the liver.
• Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that block a critical step in the replication of the virus.

Indications

Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.

Side Effects

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. Serious side effects may include liver problems, lactic acidosis, and worsening of hepatitis B in those already infected.

Interactions

This medication can interact with other drugs, including other antiretroviral drugs, antacids, and certain cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Pharmacology

The combination of these four drugs works synergistically to inhibit the replication of the HIV virus. Elvitegravir inhibits the integrase enzyme, preventing the virus from integrating its genetic material into the host cell. Cobicistat enhances the effectiveness of elvitegravir by inhibiting its metabolism in the liver. Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil are NRTIs that block a critical step in the replication of the virus.

History

Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir was approved for medical use in the United States in 2012.

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