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Cobicistat Tablets

Cobistat is a booster medication your provider uses with other medications to treat HIV. It increases levels of other HIV medicine so they can work better to lower the amount of infection in your body.

What is this medication?

COBICISTAT (koe BIS i stat) helps manage the symptoms of HIV infection. It works by increasing the effects of other HIV medications in the body to help them work better. This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and it may still be possible to spread HIV to others while taking it. It does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): TYBOST

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to cobicistat, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it with food. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed on the prescription label. Do not skip doses. Skipping doses can make the HIV virus resistant to this and other medications. Keep taking this therapy unless your care team tells you to stop.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If your next dose is to be taken in less than 12 hours, then do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Alfuzosin
  • Carbamazepine
  • Dronedarone
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Irinotecan
  • Lurasidone
  • Medications for cholesterol, such as lovastatin, simvastatin
  • Medications for headaches, such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
  • Midazolam
  • Naloxegol
  • Other antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS, such as tenofovir, etravirine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin
  • Pimozide
  • Ranolazine
  • Rifampin
  • Sildenafil
  • St. John's wort
  • Triazolam

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Bosentan
  • Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, rifabutin
  • Certain medications for anxiety or sleep, such as buspirone, diazepam
  • Certain medications for blood pressure and heart disease, such as amlodipine, carvedilol, diltiazem, felodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine, timolol, verapamil
  • Certain medications for cancer, such as dasatinib, nilotinib, vinblastine, vincristine
  • Certain medications for depression, anxiety, or mental health conditions
  • Certain medications for erectile dysfunction, such as avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
  • Certain medications for fungal infection, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole
  • Certain medications for hepatitis infection, such as boceprevir, simeprevir
  • Certain medications for seizures, such as clonazepam, oxcarbazepine
  • Certain medications for stomach problems, such as antacids, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors
  • Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots, such as apixaban, betrixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin
  • Colchicine
  • Cyclosporine
  • Estrogen or progestin hormones
  • Medications for cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin
  • Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine
  • Opioid medications for pain, such as buprenorphine, buprenorphine; naloxone, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol
  • Other antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS, such as efavirenz, elvitegravir, maraviroc
  • Phenothiazines, such as perphenazine, thioridazine
  • Risperidone
  • Salmeterol
  • Sirolimus
  • Steroid medications, such as betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, mometasone, triamcinolone
  • Tacrolimus

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your care team. You will need to have important blood work done while taking this medication.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your care team about how to stop the spread of HIV.

Estrogen or progestin hormones may not work as well while you are taking this medication. If you are using these hormones for contraception, talk to your care team about using a second type of contraception. A barrier contraceptive, such as a condom or diaphragm, is recommended.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
  • Yellowing skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

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  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer wanted or have expired:

  • Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
  • If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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