Symtuza 800 mg/150 mg/200 mg/10 mg film-coated tablets
1. Name of the medicinal product
Symtuza 800 mg/150 mg/200 mg/10 mg film-coated tablets
2. Qualitative and quantitative composition
Each film-coated tablet contains 800 mg of darunavir (as ethanolate), 150 mg of cobicistat, 200 mg of emtricitabine, and 10 mg of tenofovir alafenamide (as fumarate).
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1
3. Phrmaceutical form
Film-coated tablet.
Yellow to yellowish-brown capsule shaped tablet of 22 mm x 10 mm, debossed with “8121” on one side and “JG” on the other side.
4. Clinical particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Symtuza is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and older with body weight at least 40 kg).
Genotypic testing should guide the use of Symtuza (see sections 4.2, 4.4, and 5.1).
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Therapy should be initiated by a physician experienced in the management of HIV-1 infection.
Posology
The recommended dose regimen in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg, is one tablet taken once daily with food.
ART-naïve patients
The recommended dose regimen is one film-coated tablet of Symtuza once daily taken with food.
ART-experienced patients
One film-coated tablet of Symtuza once daily taken with food may be used in patients with prior exposure to antiretroviral medicinal products but without darunavir resistance associated mutations (DRV-RAMs)* and who have plasma HIV-1 RNA < 100,000 copies/mL and CD4+ cell count ≥ 100 cells x 106/L (see section 5.1).
* DRV-RAMs: V11I, V32I, L33F, I47V, I50V, I54M, I54L, T74P, L76V, I84V, L89V.
Advice on missed doses
If a dose of Symtuza is missed within 12 hours of the time it is usually taken, patients should be instructed to take the prescribed dose of Symtuza with food as soon as possible. If a missed dose is noticed later than 12 hours of the time it is usually taken, it should not be taken and the patient should resume the usual dosing schedule.
Special populations
Elderly
Limited information is available in this population, and, therefore, Symtuza should be used with caution in patients above 65 years of age (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment of Symtuza is required in patients with mild (Child-Pugh Class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh Class B) hepatic impairment, however, Symtuza should be used with caution in these patients, as the darunavir and cobicistat components of Symtuza are metabolised by the hepatic system.
Symtuza has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C), therefore, Symtuza must not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2).
Renal impairment
No dose adjustment of Symtuza is required in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula (eGFRCG) ≥ 30 mL/min.
Symtuza should not be initiated in patients with eGFRCG < 30 mL/min, as there are no data available regarding the use of Symtuza in this population (see sections 5.1 and 5.2).
Symtuza should be discontinued in patients with eGFRCG that declines below 30 mL/min during treatment (see sections 5.1 and 5.2).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Symtuza in children aged 3-11 years, or weighing < 40 kg, have not yet been established. No data are available.
Symtuza should not be used in paediatric patients below 3 years of age because of safety concerns (see sections 4.4 and 5.3).
Pregnancy and postpartum
Treatment with darunavir/cobicistat (two of the components of Symtuza) during pregnancy results in low darunavir exposure (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Therefore, therapy with Symtuza should not be initiated during pregnancy, and women who become pregnant during therapy with Symtuza should be switched to an alternative regimen (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).
Method of administration
Symtuza should be taken orally, once daily with food (see section 5.2). The tablet should not be crushed.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Patients with severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment.
Co-administration with the following medicinal products due to the potential for loss of therapeutic effect (see section 4.5):
- carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- rifampicin
- lopinavir/ritonavir
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Co-administration with the following medicinal products due to the potential for serious and/or life-threatening adverse reactions (see section 4.5):
- alfuzosin
- amiodarone, dronedarone, quinidine
- colchicine when used in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment (see section 4.5)
- rifampicin
- ergot derivatives (e.g. dihydroergotamine, ergometrine, ergotamine, methylergonovine)
- pimozide, quetiapine, sertindole, lurasidone (see section 4.5)
- triazolam, midazolam administered orally (for caution on parenterally administered midazolam, see section 4.5)
- sildenafil - when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, avanafil, simvastatin, lovastatin and lomitapide (see section 4.5)
- ticagrelor
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
While effective viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been proven to substantially reduce the risk of sexual transmission, a residual risk cannot be excluded. Precautions to prevent transmission should be taken in accordance with national guidelines.
ART-experienced patients
Symtuza should not be used in treatment-experienced patients with one or more DRV-RAMs (see section 5.1) or with HIV-1 RNA ≥ 100,000 copies/mL or CD4+ cell count < 100 cells x 106/L.
Pregnancy
Treatment with darunavir/cobicistat 800/150 mg during the second and third trimester has been shown to result in low darunavir exposure, with a reduction of around 90% in Cmin levels (see section 5.2). Cobicistat levels decrease and may not provide sufficient boosting. The substantial reduction in darunavir exposure may result in virological failure and an increased risk of mother to child transmission of HIV infection. Therefore, therapy with Symtuza should not be initiated during pregnancy, and women who become pregnant during therapy with Symtuza should be switched to an alternative regimen (see sections 4.2 and 4.6).
Patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B or C virus
Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C treated with antiretroviral therapy are at an increased risk for severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse reactions.
The safety and efficacy of Symtuza in patients co-infected with HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have not been established. Tenofovir alafenamide is active against hepatitis B virus (HBV).
In case of concomitant antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, please refer also to the relevant Summary of Product Characteristics for these medicinal products.
Discontinuation of Symtuza therapy in patients co-infected with HIV and HBV may be associated with severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis. Patients co-infected with HIV and HBV who discontinue Symtuza should be closely monitored with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months after stopping treatment. If appropriate, initiation of hepatitis B therapy may be warranted. In patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis, treatment discontinuation is not recommended since post-treatment exacerbation of hepatitis may lead to hepatic decompensation.
Symtuza should not be administered concomitantly with medicinal products containing tenofovir disoproxil (e.g. fumarate, phosphate, or succinate), lamivudine, or adefovir dipivoxil used for the treatment of HBV infection.
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Nucleoside and nucleotide analogues have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo to cause a variable degree of mitochondrial damage. There have been reports of mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV negative infants exposed in utero and/or postnatally to nucleoside analogues. The main adverse reactions reported are haematological disorders (anaemia, neutropenia) and metabolic disorders (hyperlactataemia, hyperlipasaemia). These events are often transitory. Some late-onset neurological disorders have been reported (hypertonia, convulsion, abnormal behaviour). Whether the neurological disorders are transient or permanent is currently unknown. Any child exposed in utero to nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, even HIV negative children, should have clinical and laboratory follow-up and should be fully investigated for possible mitochondrial dysfunction in case of relevant signs or symptoms. These findings do not affect current national recommendations to use antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission of HIV.
Elderly
As limited information is available on the use of Symtuza in patients aged 65 and over, caution should be exercised, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic function and of concomitant disease or other therapy (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
Hepatotoxicity
Drug-induced hepatitis (e.g. acute hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis) has been reported with darunavir/ritonavir. During the darunavir/ritonavir clinical development program (N = 3,063), hepatitis was reported in 0.5% of patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy with darunavir/ritonavir. Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic hepatitis B or C, have an increased risk for liver function abnormalities including severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse reactions. In case of concomitant antiviral therapy for hepatitis B or C, please refer to the relevant product information for these medicinal products.
Appropriate laboratory testing should be conducted prior to initiating therapy with Symtuza and patients should be monitored during treatment. Increased AST/ALT monitoring should be considered in patients with underlying chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or in patients who have pre-treatment elevations of transaminases, especially during the first several months of Symtuza treatment.
If there is evidence of new or worsening liver dysfunction (including clinically significant elevation of liver enzymes and/or symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, dark urine, liver tenderness, hepatomegaly) in patients using Symtuza, interruption or discontinuation of treatment should be considered promptly (see section 5.3).
Nephrotoxicity
A potential risk of nephrotoxicity resulting from chronic exposure to low levels of tenofovir due to dosing with tenofovir alafenamide cannot be excluded (see section 5.3).
Renal impairment
Cobicistat has been shown to decrease estimated creatinine clearance due to inhibition of tubular secretion of creatinine. This effect on serum creatinine, leading to a decrease in the estimated creatinine clearance, should be taken into consideration when Symtuza is administered to patients, in whom the estimated creatinine clearance is used to guide aspects of their clinical management,including adjusting doses of co-administered medicinal products. For more information consult the cobicistat Summary of Product Characteristics.
Patients with co-existing conditions
Hepatic impairment
The safety and efficacy of Symtuza or its components have not been established in patients with severe underlying liver disorders. Symtuza is, therefore, contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Due to an increase in the unbound darunavir plasma concentrations, Symtuza should be used with caution in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2, 4.3 and 5.2).
Haemophiliac patients
There have been reports of increased bleeding, including spontaneous skin haematomas and haemarthrosis in patients with haemophilia type A and B treated with HIV PIs. In some patients additional factor VIII was given. In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with HIV PIs was continued or reintroduced if treatment had been discontinued. A causal relationship has been suggested, although the mechanism of action has not been elucidated. Haemophiliac patients should, therefore, be made aware of the possibility of increased bleeding.
Severe skin reactions
During the darunavir/ritonavir clinical development program (N = 3,063), severe skin reactions, which may be accompanied with fever and/or elevations of transaminases, have been reported in 0.4% of patients. DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been rarely (< 0.1%) reported, and during post-marketing experience toxic epidermal necrolysis and acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis have been reported. Symtuza should be discontinued immediately if signs or symptoms of severe skin reactions develop. These can include, but are not limited to, severe rash or rash accompanied with fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, hepatitis and/or eosinophilia.
Sulphonamide allergy
Darunavir contains a sulphonamide moiety. Symtuza should be used with caution in patients with a known sulphonamide allergy.
Weight and metabolic parameters
An increase in weight and in levels of blood lipids and glucose may occur during antiretroviral therapy. Such changes may in part be linked to disease control and life style. For lipids, there is in some cases evidence for a treatment effect, while for weight gain there is no strong evidence relating this to any particular treatment. For monitoring of blood lipids and glucose reference is made to established HIV treatment guidelines. Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate.
Osteonecrosis
Although the aetiology is considered to be multifactorial (including corticosteroid use, alcohol consumption, severe immunosuppression, higher body mass index), cases of osteonecrosis have been reported particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease and/or long-term exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (CART). Patients should be advised to seek medical advice if they experience joint aches and pain, joint stiffness or difficulty in movement.
Immune Reactivation Syndrome
In HIV infected patients treated with CART, immune reactivation syndrome has been reported. In HIV infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of initiation of CART, an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic pathogens may arise and cause serious clinical conditions, or aggravation of symptoms. Typically, such reactions have been observed within the first weeks or months of initiation of CART. Relevant examples include cytomegalovirus retinitis, generalised and/or focal mycobacterial infections and pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii). Any inflammatory symptoms should be eva luated and treatment instituted when necessary. In addition, reactivation of herpes simplex and herpes zoster has been observed in clinical trials with darunavir co-administered with low dose ritonavir.
Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reactivation; however, the reported time to onset is more variable and these events can occur many months after initiation of treatment (see section 4.8).
Opportunistic infections
Patients receiving Symtuza or any other antiretroviral therapy may continue to develop opportunistic infections and other complications of HIV infection, and therefore should remain under close clinical observation by physicians experienced in the treatment of patients with HIV associated diseases.
Interactions with medicinal products
Co-administration of other medicinal products
Symtuza is indicated for use as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection and should not be administered with other antiretroviral products (see section 4.5). Symtuza should not be administered concomitantly with medicinal products requiring pharmacokinetic enhancement with ritonavir or cobicistat. Symtuza should not be administered concomitantly with medicinal products containing tenofovir disoproxil (as fumarate, phosphate or succinate), lamivudine, or adefovir dipivoxil used for the treatment of HBV infection.
Paediatric population
Symtuza should not be used in paediatric patients below 3 years of age (see sections 4.2 and 5.3).
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No drug interaction trials have been performed using Symtuza. Interactions that have been identified in studies with individual components of Symtuza, i.e. with darunavir (in combination with low dose ritonavir), cobicistat, emtricitabine or tenofovir alafenamide, determine the interactions that may occur with Symtuza.
Darunavir and cobicistat
Darunavir is an inhibitor of CYP3A, a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6 and an inhibitor of P-gp. Cobicistat is a mechanism based inhibitor of CYP3A, and a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor. Cobicistat inhibits the transporters p-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP, MATE1, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Co-administration of cobicistat with medicinal products that are substrates of these transporters can result in increased plasma concentrations of the co-administered medicinal products. Cobicistat is not expected to inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 or CYP2C19. Cobicistat is not expected to induce CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, UGT1A1, or P-gp (MDR1).
Co-administration of Symtuza and medicinal products primarily metabolised by CYP3A may result in increased systemic exposure to such medicinal products, which could increase or prolong their therapeutic effect and adverse reactions. Symtuza, therefore, must not be combined with medicinal products that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which increased systemic exposure is associated with serious and/or life-threatening events (narrow therapeutic index) (see section 4.3 or table below ).
Darunavir and cobicistat are metabolised by CYP3A. Medicinal products that induce CYP3A activity would be expected to increase the clearance of darunavir and cobicistat, resulting in lowered plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat (e.g. efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampicin, rifapentine, rifabutin, St. John's wort) (see section 4.3 and interaction table below).
Co-administration of Symtuza and other medicinal products that inhibit CYP3A may decrease the clearance of darunavir and cobicistat and may result in increased plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat (e.g. azole antifungals like clotrimazole). These interactions are described in the interaction table below.
Unlike ritonavir, cobicistat is not an inducer of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 or UGT1A1. If switching from ritonavir as a pharmacoenhancer to this regimen with cobicistat, caution is required during the first two weeks of treatment with Symtuza, particularly if doses of any concomitantly administered medicinal products have been titrated or adjusted during use of ritonavir.
Emtricitabine
In vitro and clinical pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction studies have shown that the potential for CYP-mediated interactions involving emtricitabine with other medicinal products is low.
Emtricitabine did not inhibit the glucuronidation reaction of a non-specific UGT substrate in vitro. Co-administration of emtricitabine with medicinal products that are eliminated by active tubular secretion may increase concentrations of emtricitabine, and/or the co-administered medicinal product. Medicinal products that decrease renal function may increase concentrations of emtricitabine.
Tenofovir alafenamide
Tenofovir alafenamide is transported by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). Medicinal products that strongly affect P-gp activity and BCRP may lead to changes in tenofovir alafenamide absorption. Medicinal products that induce P-gp activity (e.g., rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital) are expected to decrease the absorption of tenofovir alafenamide, resulting in decreased plasma concentration of tenofovir alafenamide, which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect of tenofovir alafenamide and development of resistance. Co-administration of tenofovir alafenamide with other medicinal products that inhibit P-gp (e.g., cobicistat, ritonavir, ciclosporin) are expected to increase the absorption and plasma concentration of tenofovir alafenamide. It is not known whether the co-administration of tenofovir alafenamide and xanthine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. febuxostat) would increase systemic exposure to tenofovir.
Tenofovir alafenamide is not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP2D6 in vitro. It is not an inhibitor of CYP3A4 in vivo. Tenofovir alafenamide is a substrate of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 in vitro. The distribution of tenofovir alafenamide in the body may be affected by the activity of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3.
Interaction table
Expected interactions between Symtuza with potential concomitant medicinal products are listed in Table 1 below and are based on the studies conducted with the components of Symtuza, as individual agents or combined, or are potential drug interactions that may occur.
Interaction trials with the components of Symtuza have only been performed in adults.
The interaction profile of darunavir depends on whether ritonavir or cobicistat is used as a pharmacokinetic enhancer; therefore, there may be different recommendations for the use of darunavir with concomitant medicines. Refer to the prescribing information for darunavir for further information.
Table 1: Interactions between the individual components of Symtuza and other medicinal products
INTERACTIONS AND DOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH OTHER MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
Medicinal products by therapeutic areas
Interaction
Recommendations concerning co-administration
ALPHA ADRENORECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS
Alfusozin
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase alfusozin concentrations
(CYP3A4 inhibition)
The concomitant use of Symtuza with alfusozin is contra-indicated (see section 4.3).
ANAESTHETIC
Alfentanil
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase alfentanil plasma concentrations.
The concomitant use with Symtuza may require to lower the dose of alfentanil and requires monitoring for risks of prolonged or delayed respiratory depression.
ANTACIDS
Aluminium/magnesium hydroxide
Calcium carbonate
No mechanistic interaction expected based on theoretical considerations.
Symtuza and antacids can be used concomitantly without dose adjustment.
ANTIANGINA/ANTIARRHYTHMIC
Disopyramide
Flecainide
Mexiletine
Propafenone
Lidocaine (systemic)
Amiodarone
Dronedarone
Quinidine
Ranolazine
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these antiarrhythmic plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Caution is warranted and therapeutic concentration monitoring, if available, is recommended for these antiarrhythmics when co-administered with Symtuza.
Co-administration of amiodarone, dronedarone, quinidine, or ranolazine and Symtuza is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
Digoxin
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase digoxin plasma concentrations.
(P-glycoprotein inhibition)
It is recommended that the lowest possible dose of digoxin should initially be given to patients on Symtuza. The digoxin dose should be carefully titrated to obtain the desired clinical effect while assessing the overall clinical state of the subject.
ANTIBIOTIC
Clarithromycin
Based on theoretical considerations clarithromycin is expected to increase darunavir and/or cobicistat plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Concentrations of clarithromycin may be increased upon co-administration with DRV/COBI.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Caution should be exercised when clarithromycin is combined with Symtuza.
Foratients with renal impairment the Summary of Product Characteristics for clarithromycin should be consulted for the recommended dose.
ANTICOAGULANT/PLATELET AGGREGATION INHIBITOR
Apixaban
Dabigatran etexilate
Rivaroxaban
Based on theoretical considerations co-administration of DRV/COBI with these anticoagulants may increase concentrations of the anticoagulant.
(CYP3A and/or P-glycoprotein inhibition)
Co-administration of Symtuza and these anticoagulants is not recommended.
Ticagrelor
Based on theoretical considerations co-administration of DRV/COBI with ticagrelor may increase concentrations of the anticoagulant.
(CYP3A and/or P-glycoprotein inhibition).
Concomitant administration of Symtuza with ticagrelor is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
Use of other antiplatelets not affected by CYP inhibition or induction (e.g. prasugrel) is recommended.
Warfarin
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI may alter warfarin plasma concentrations.
It is recommended that the international normalised ratio (INR) be monitored when warfarin is co-administered with Symtuza.
ANTICONVULSANTS
Carbamazepine
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Oxcarbazepine
Based on theoretical considerations these anticonvulsants are expected to decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat and/or tenofovir alafenamide plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A and/or P-gp induction).
Co-administration of Symtuza and these anticonvulsants is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
Co-administration of Symtuza with oxcarbazepine is not recommended. Alternative anticonvulsants should be considered.
Clonazepam
Based on theoretical considerations Symtuza is expected to increase concentrations of clonazepam
(inhibition of CYP3A)
Clinical monitoring is recommended when co-administering Symtuza with clonazepam.
ANTI-DEPRESSANTS
Herbal supplements
St. John's wort
Based on theoretical considerations St. John's wort is expected to decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat and/or tenofovir alafenamide plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A and/or P-gp induction)
Co-administration of St. John's wort and Symtuza is contraindicated (see section 4.3)
Paroxetine
Sertraline
Amitriptyline
Desipramine
Imipramine
Nortriptyline
Trazodone
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these anti-depressant plasma concentrations.
(CYP2D6 and/or CYP3A inhibition)
Prior data with ritonavir-boosted darunavir however showed a decrease in these anti-depressant plasma concentrations (unknown mechanism); the latter may be specific to ritonavir.
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these anti-depressant plasma concentrations.
(CYP2D6 and/or CYP3A inhibition)
If these anti-depressants are to be used with Symtuza clinical monitoring is recommended and a dose adjustment of the anti-depressant may be needed.
ANTI-DIABETICS
Metformin
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase metformin plasma concentrations.
(MATE1 inhibition)
Careful patient monitoring and dose adjustment of metformin is recommended in patients who are taking Symtuza.
ANTIFUNGALS
Clotrimazole
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Isavuconazole
Posaconazole
Voriconazole
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these antifungal plasma concentrations, and darunavir, cobicistat and/or tenofovir alafenamide plasma concentrations may be increased by the antifungals.
(CYP3A and/or P-gp inhibition)
Concentrations of voriconazole may increase or decrease when co-administered with DRV/COBI.
Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring is recommended.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole, posaconazole or itraconazole is recommended.
When co-administration is required, the daily dose of itraconazole should not exceed 200 mg.
Voriconazole should not be combined with Symtuza unless an assessment of the benefit/risk ratio justifies the use of voriconazole.
ANTIGOUT MEDICINES
Colchicine
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase colchicine plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A and/or P-glycoprotein inhibition)
A reduction in colchicine dosage or an interruption of colchicine treatment is recommended in patients with normal renal or hepatic function if treatment with Symtuza is required.
The combination of colchicine and Symtuza is contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).
ANTIMALARIALS
Artemether/Lumefantrine
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase lumefantrine plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Symtuza and artemether/lumefantrine can be used without dose adjustments; however, due to the increase in lumefantrine exposure, the combination should be used with caution.
ANTIMYCOBACTERIALS
Rifampicin
Based on theoretical considerations rifampicin is expected to decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat and/or tenofovir alafenamide plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A and/or P-gp induction)
The combination of rifampicin and Symtuza is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
Rifabutin
Rifapentine
Based on theoretical considerations these antimycobacterials are expected to decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat and/or tenofovir alafenamide plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A an/or P-gp induction)
Co-administration of Symtuza with rifabutin and rifapentine is not recommended. If the combination is needed, the recommended dose of rifabutin is 150 mg 3 times per week on set days (for example Monday-Wednesday-Friday). Increased monitoring for rifabutin associated adverse reactions including neutropenia and uveitis is warranted due to an expected increase in exposure to rifabutin. Further dosage reduction of rifabutin has not been studied. It should be kept in mind that the twice weekly dosage of 150 mg may not provide an optimal exposure to rifabutin thus leading to a risk of rifamycin resistance and a treatment failure. Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate treatment of tuberculosis in HIV infected patients.
This recommendation is different from ritonavir-boosted darunavir. Consult the Summary of Product Characteristics for darunavir for further details.
ANTI-NEOPLASTICS
Dasatinib
Nilotinib
Vinblastine
Vincristine
Everolimus
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these anti-neoplastic plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Concentrations of these medicinal products may be increased when co-administered with Symtuza resulting in the potential for increased adverse events usually associated with these medicinal products.
Caution should be exercised when combining one of these anti-neoplastic agents with Symtuza.
Concomitant use of everolimus and Symtuza is not recommended.
ANTIPSYCHOTICS/NEUROLEPTICS
Perphenazine
Risperidone
Thioridazine
Lurasidone
Pimozide
Quetiapine
Sertindole
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these neuroleptic plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A, CYP2D6 and/or P-gp inhibition)
Clinical monitoring is recommended when co-administering Symtuza with perphenazine, risperidone or thioridazine. For these neuroleptics, consider reducing the dose of the neuroleptic upon co-administration with Symtuza.
The combination of lurasidone, pimozide, quetiapine or sertindole and Symtuza is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
β-BLOCKERS
Carvedilol
Metoprolol
Timolol
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these beta-blocker plasma concentrations.
(CYP2D6 inhibition)
Clinical monitoring is recommended when co-administering Symtuza with beta-blockers and a lower dose of the beta-blocker should be considered.
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS
Amlodipine
Diltiazem
Felodipine
Nicardipine
Nifedipine
Verapamil
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these calcium channel blocker plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Clinical monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects is recommended when these medicines are co-administered with Symtuza.
CORTICOSTEROIDS
Budesonide
Fluticasone
Prednisone
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase these corticosteroid plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A inhibition)
Co-administration of Symtuza and budesonide or fluticasone is not recommended unless the potential benefit of treatment outweighs the risk of systemic corticosteroid side effects.
Concomitant use of Symtuza may increase the risk for development of systemic corticosteroid effects, including Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression. Clinical monitoring is recommended when co-administering Symtuza with corticosteroids.
Dexamethasone (systemic)
Based on theoretical considerations (systemic) dexamethasone is expected to decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A induction)
Systemic dexamethasone should be used with caution when combined with Symtuza.
ENDOTHELIN RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS
Bosentan
Based on theoretical considerations bosentan is expected to decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat plasma concentrations.
(CYP3A induction)
Symtuza is expected to increase bosentan plasma concentrations
(CYP3A inhibition)
Co-administration of Symtuza and bosentan is not recommended.
ERGOT DERIVATIVES
e.g.
Dihydroergotamine
Ergometrine
Ergotamine
Methylergonovine
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI may increase ergot derivative exposure.
Co-administration of Symtuza and ergot derivatives is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) DIRECT-ACTING ANTIVIRALS
NS3-4A inhibitors
Boceprevir
Based on theoretical considerations boceprevir may decrease darunavir and/or cobicistat plasma concentrations and adversely affect the intracellular activation and clinical antiviral efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide. Symtuza may decrease boceprevir plasma concentrations.
It is not recommended to co-administer Symtuza with boceprevir.
Simeprevir
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase simeprevir plasma concentrations. Simeprevir may increase darunavir and/or cobicistat plasma concentrations.
It is not recommended to co-administer Symtuza with simeprevir.
Daclatasvir
Ledipasvir
Sofosbuvir
Based on theoretical considerations, no clinically relevant interaction is expected.
Symtuza and sofosbuvir, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, or daclatasvir can be used concomitantly without dose adjustment
Herbal products
St. John's wort (Hypericum Perforatum)
Based on theoretical consideration, St. John's wort may substantially decrease DRV/COBI (CYP3A4 induction ) and TAF exposures.
(P-gp induction)
The concomitante use of Symtuza with these medicinal products is contra-indicated (see section 4.3).
HMG CO-A REDUCTASE INHIBITORS
Atorvastatin
Fluvastatin
Pitavastatin
Pravastatin
Rosuvastatin
Lovastatin
Simvastatin
Atorvastatin (10 mg once daily):
atorvastatin AUC ↑ 290%
atorvastatin Cmax ↑ 319%
atorvastatin Cmin ND
Rosuvastatin (10 mg once daily):
rosuvastatin AUC ↑ 93%
rosuvastatin Cmax ↑ 277%
rosuvastatin Cmin ND
Based on theoretical considerations DRV/COBI is expected to increase the plasma concentrations of fluvastatin, pitavastatin,
