Genvoya is a prescription HIV medicine. It’s a single-tablet, fixed-dose regimen that combines four drugs:
- Elvitegravir (an INSTI)
- Cobicistat (a booster to increase elvitegravir levels)
- Emtricitabine (an NRTI)
- Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF, an NRTI)
Key points
- Use: Treats HIV-1 infection in adults and certain children (weighing at least about 25 kg) as a complete regimen.
- How to take: 1 tablet by mouth once daily with food. Do not chew, crush, or split the tablet.
- Dosing considerations: Generally for people with a creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 30 mL/min. Not recommended if CrCl < 30 mL/min or in dialysis. Your clinician will confirm if this is appropriate for you.
- Important interactions: Cobicistat boosts levels of elvitegravir, so many drug interactions apply. Notable examples: rifampin-containing regimens are not recommended; avoid St. John’s wort; avoid or adjust certain statins and other drugs metabolized by CYP3A. Take antacids or sucralfate at times that won’t interfere with absorption (often separated by several hours). Always tell your prescriber about all medications you use.
- Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue. Other possible effects include nausea/vomiting, elevated liver enzymes, or dizziness. Seek medical advice if you have signs of serious side effects (e.g., severe allergic reactions, symptoms of liver problems, or worsening kidney function).
- Warnings and monitoring: Regular blood tests to monitor HIV viral load, CD4 count, kidney function, liver enzymes, and bone health as recommended. Genvoya can still affect kidneys and bones, though TAF is linked to less kidney/bone toxicity than TDF-containing regimens.
- Pregnancy: If you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy, talk to your clinician. They can discuss the benefits and risks and whether Genvoya is the best option for you.
- Switching from another regimen: Some patients switch to Genvoya from other HIV regimens for convenience or tolerability, but this should only be done under a clinician’s guidance.
If you’d like, tell me what you want to know more about—how it works, dosing specifics, side effects, interactions with a particular drug, or whether it’s suitable for you—and I can tailor the info. And as always, discuss any questions with your healthcare provider.