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About COBICISTAT

COBICISTAT belongs to a class of medicines called antiretroviral medications. When combined with other antiretroviral drugs, it helps treat chronic viral infections (HIV and covid-19). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that damages immune system cells and impairs your ability to fight infections and diseases. Covid-19/ Corona is an infectious disease with symptoms including fever and cough and, in some cases, progressing to pneumonia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

COBICISTAT contains Cobicistat, which acts as a booster/promoter in treating various chronic viral infections, including HIV and Covid-19. It is given in combination with other anti-viral medicines. It works by increasing the systemic exposure of the other antiretroviral drugs, thereby enhancing its ability to bring down viral load.

COBICISTAT is a prescription medication. Your doctor will decide the dosage of this medicine based on your medical condition. You may sometimes experience nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain as side effects COBICISTAT. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

Please do not take COBICISTAT if you are allergic to COBICISTAT or its ingredients. Inform your doctor before taking COBICISTAT if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks. COBICISTAT causes nausea or occasional dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. COBICISTAT should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with COBICISTAT as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and ongoing medicines to rule out any side effects.

Uses of COBICISTAT

Covid-19, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection.

Medicinal Benefits

COBICISTAT belongs to a class of drugs called antiretroviral medications. When combined with other antiretroviral medications, it aids in treating various chronic viral infections (such as HIV and covid-19). COBICISTAT contains Cobicistat, which acts as a booster/promoter in treating chronic viral infections such as HIV and Covid-19. It works by increasing the systemic exposure of the other antiretroviral drug with which it is combined, enhancing its ability to reduce viral load.

Directions for Use

Take COBICISTAT with or without food or as prescribed by your doctor. COBICISTAT should be swallowed as a whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of COBICISTAT

  • Nausea
  • Occasional dizziness
  • High sugar levels in the blood (hyperglycaemia)
  • Increased appetite
  • Disturbed sense of taste
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Dyspepsia (discomfort or pain that occurs in the upper abdomen)
  • Feeling bloated
  • Wind (flatulence)
  • Hyperbilirubinaemia (Increased levels of bilirubin in the blood)
  • Rash
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness (fatigue)

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

Please do not take COBICISTAT if you are allergic to COBICISTAT or any of its ingredients without discussing the healthcare professional. Please seek medical advice from the doctor before taking COBICISTAT if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks. COBICISTAT causes weakness, and headache, so drives only if you are alert. COBICISTAT should not be given to children and adulterants as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with COBICISTAT as it could lead to undesirable effects. Keep your doctor informed about all your health conditions and the medicines you are using to rule out any side effects. Do not begin a new medication without first consulting your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can advise you on whether it is safe to combine COBICISTAT with atazanavir or darunavir, as well as other medications. Co-administration of COBICISTAT with ritonavir-containing medications or regimens is not recommended.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions: COBICISTAT may interact with similar category anti-viral medications (e.g. ritonavir, emtricitabine/tenofovir), medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and fluconazole), medicines used to treat bacterial infections including tuberculosis (e.g. clarithromycin and rifabutin), medicines used to treat cancer (e.g. dasatinib, nilotinib, vinblastine), corticosteroids (e.g. betamethasone, budesonide, fluticasone), and medicines used to lower cholesterol (e.g. atorvastatin, fluvastatin), and medicine used to relieve red, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing (e.g. chlorpheniramine).

Drug-Food Interactions: It is not suggested to consume alcohol while using COBICISTAT since it may cause unpleasant side effects or make you more susceptible to the effects of alcohol.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor before taking COBICISTAT if you have renal dysfunction.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:

  • RITONAVIR
  • EMTRICITABINE
  • KETOCONAZOLE
  • ITRACONAZOLE
  • VORICONAZOLE
  • POSACONAZOLE
  • FLUCONAZOLE
  • CLARITHROMYCIN
  • RIFABUTIN
  • DASATINIB
  • NILOTINIB
  • VINBLASTINE
  • BETAMETHASONE
  • BUDESONIDE
  • FLUTICASONE
  • ATORVASTATIN
  • FLUVASTATIN
  • CHLORPHENIRAMINE
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      caution

      Avoid drinking alcohol with COBICISTAT as it may increase the risk of side effects.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      caution

      COBICISTAT is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, inform your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a suitable medicine based on potential benefits and risks.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      unsafe

      HIV-infected women should avoid breastfeeding to avoid the possibility of HIV transmission. COBICISTAT or metabolites are not known to be excreted in human milk. Hence, It is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before taking medicine while breastfeeding.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      caution

      COBICISTAT may make you feel tired and dizzy. So, ensure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      caution

      COBICISTAT has not been studied in patients with severe liver disease. As a result, the use of COBICISTAT in these patients is not advised. If you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking this medicine.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      caution

      COBICISTAT should be used with caution if you have kidney problems like creatinine clearance. Your doctor may adjust the dose of COBICISTAT or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      unsafe

      COBICISTAT is not recommended for children under 12 years of age or less than 40 kg.

    Habit Forming

    No

    Diet & Lifestyle Advise

    • Remember always to wear a mask when you're around other people. Wearing a mask aids in the prevention of illness spread.
    • Take care of your mental health. Fear and anxiety can hamper the immune system as well. Therapy, yoga, and meditation effectively allow the mind a state of peace.
    • Keep a social distance and avoid social gatherings.
    • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
    • Hands should be washed with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser on a regular basis.
    • Surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
    • Gargling with salt water and inhaling steam would be beneficial.
    • Never exchange personal objects that have been contaminated with bodily fluids or blood, such as razor blades or toothbrushes.
    • Never share used needles and other injection or drug equipment, as it may spread viruses.
    • Consume a well-balanced diet. Consume vitamin and nutrient-rich foods like dark green, yellow, orange, and red vegetables and fruits to enhance your immune system. Choose lean protein and whole carbohydrates over-processed foods.
    • Consume no raw meat or eggs. Consume boiled and cooked meat, poultry, or seafood.
    • If you have nausea or vomiting, eat bland, low-fat foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods.
    • Spending time with family or doing whatever makes you happy might help you minimise emotional and physical stress.

    Special Advise

    • Assess estimated creatinine clearance prior to commencing COBICISTAT since COBICISTAT reduces estimated creatinine clearance by inhibiting creatinine tubular secretion without changing actual renal glomerular function.
    • Assess estimated creatinine clearance, urine glucose, and urine protein at baseline when co-administering COBICISTAT with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

    Patients Concern

    Disease/Condition Glossary

    Viral infections: The spread of a harmful virus within the body is known as a viral infection. The symptoms of the viral infection are caused by tissue damage and the host's immune response. For instance, respiratory viral infections affect the nose, lungs and airway.

    COVID-19: Coronavirus disease, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2), is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus. Coronavirus belongs to a group of RNA viruses with crown-like projections on the pathogen's surface. The virus transmits through droplets from an infectious person’s cough, sneezing or heavy breathing. The common symptoms of coronavirus disease are dry cough, breathlessness, shortness of breath, tiredness, fever, loss of sense of taste and smell, diarrhoea, body pains, headache and sore throat.

    HIV: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages immune system cells and impairs your ability to fight infections and diseases.

    FAQs

    How does COBICISTAT work?

    COBICISTAT contains Cobicistat, which acts as a booster in treating chronic viral infections such as HIV and Covid-19. It works by increasing the systemic exposure of the other antiretroviral drug with which it is combined, enhancing its ability to reduce viral load.

    Is COBICISTAT useful in the treatment of HIV?

    Yes, it works by increasing the systemic exposure of the other antiretroviral drug with which it is combined, enhancing its ability to reduce viral load. As a result, COBICISTAT reduces the HIV load in the body and aids in the treatment of the infection.

    What are the most common side effects of using COBICISTAT?

    You may experience nausea, occasional dizziness, increased appetite, disturbed sense of taste, dry mouth, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain as side effects while using COBICISTAT alone. You may experience various side effects also due to most of the cases COBICISTAT is combined with other antiretroviral drugs.

    What is COBICISTAT used for?

    In most cases, COBICISTAT is prescribed along with other medications to increase the exposure of the actual drug. For instance, When It is taken along with the medicines such as atazanavir and darunavir to treat the infection, it enhances the effects of atazanavir or darunavir.

    How long does the virus responsible for COVID-19 remain on surfaces?

    Recent research examined the survival of the COVID-19 virus on various surfaces and discovered that the virus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, four hours on copper, and 24 hours on cardboard.

    Is COBICISTAT approved by regulatory agencies such as the FDA?

    Yes, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has approved COBICISTAT.

    Available Medicines for

    COBICISTAT

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