1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE SYMTUZA is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg: who have no prior antiretroviral treatment history or who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen for at least 6 months and have no known substitutions associated with resistance to darunavir or tenofovir.
SYMTUZA is a four-drug combination of darunavir (DRV), a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) protease inhibitor, cobicistat (COBI), a CYP3A inhibitor, and emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), both HIV-1 nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg: who have no prior antiretroviral treatment history or who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen for at least 6 months and have no known substitutions associated with resistance to darunavir or tenofovir.
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Contraindications
4. CONTRAINDICATIONS Darunavir and cobicistat are both inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoform. SYMTUZA should not be co-administered with medicinal products that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which increased plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events (narrow therapeutic index). Darunavir and cobicistat are both substrates of the cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoform.
Co-administration of SYMTUZA with CYP3A inducers is expected to lower plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat which may lead to loss of efficacy of darunavir and development of resistance. Examples of drugs that are contraindicated for co-administration with SYMTUZA due to the potential for serious and/or life-threatening events or loss of therapeutic effect [see Drug Interactions (7.5) ] are listed below. Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: alfuzosin Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin Anti-gout: colchicine, in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment Antimycobacterial: rifampin Antipsychotics: lurasidone, pimozide Cardiac Disorders: dronedarone, ivabradine, ranolazine Ergot derivatives, e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine Herbal product: St.
John's wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) Hepatitis C direct acting antiviral: elbasvir/grazoprevir Lipid modifying agents: lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin Opioid Antagonist: naloxegol PDE-5 inhibitor: sildenafil when used for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension Sedatives/hypnotics: orally administered midazolam, triazolam SYMTUZA is contraindicated to be co-administered with certain drugs for which altered plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events or which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect of SYMTUZA and development of resistance.
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Warnings and precautions
5. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Drug-induced hepatitis (e.g., acute hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis) including some fatalities can occur with SYMTUZA. Monitor liver function before and during therapy, especially in patients with underlying chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or in patients who have pre-treatment elevations of transaminases. ( 5.2 ) Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis may occur with SYMTUZA.
Discontinue treatment if severe skin reaction develops. ( 5.3 ) Patients receiving SYMTUZA may develop new onset or exacerbations of immune reconstitution syndrome. ( 5.5 ) Monitor in patients with a known sulfonamide allergy. ( 5.7 ) Discontinue treatment in patients who develop symptoms or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity. ( 5.8 ) Patients receiving SYMTUZA may develop new onset or exacerbation of diabetes mellitus/hyperglycemia and redistribution/accumulation of body fat.
( 5.9 , 5.10 ) Patients with hemophilia may develop increase bleeding events. ( 5.11 )
5.1 Severe Acute Exacerbation of Hepatitis B in Patients Coinfected with HIV-1 and HBV Patients with HIV-1 should be tested for the presence of chronic hepatitis B virus before initiating antiretroviral therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B (e.g., liver decompensation and liver failure) have been reported in patients who are coinfected with HIV-1 and HBV and have discontinued products containing emtricitabine and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and may occur with discontinuation of SYMTUZA.
Patients coinfected with HIV-1 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, anti-hepatitis B therapy may be warranted, especially in patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis, since post-treatment exacerbation of hepatitis may lead to hepatic decompensation and liver failure.
5.2Hepatotoxicity
Drug-induced hepatitis (e.g., acute hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis) has been reported in clinical trials with darunavir, a component of SYMTUZA. Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis B or C, have an increased risk for liver function abnormalities including severe hepatic adverse reactions. Post-marketing cases of liver injury, including some fatalities, have been reported with darunavir.
These have generally occurred in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease taking multiple concomitant medications, having co-morbidities including hepatitis B or C co-infection, and/or developing immune reconstitution syndrome. A causal relationship with darunavir therapy has not been established. Appropriate laboratory testing should be conducted prior to initiating therapy with SYMTUZA and patients should be monitored during treatment as clinically appropriate.
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. 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) should prompt consideration of interruption or discontinuation of SYMTUZA.
5.3Severe Skin Reactions
In patients receiving darunavir, a component of SYMTUZA, severe skin reactions may occur. These include conditions accompanied by fever and/or elevations of transaminases. Stevens-Johnson syndrome was reported with darunavir co-administered with cobicistat in clinical trials at a rate of 0.1%. During darunavir post-marketing experience, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis have been reported.
Discontinue SYMTUZA 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. Rash events of any cause and any grade occurred in 15% of subjects with no prior antiretroviral treatment history treated with SYMTUZA in the AMBER trial [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] .
Rash events were mild-to-moderate, often occurring within the first four weeks of treatment and resolving with continued dosing. The discontinuation rate due to rash in subjects using SYMTUZA was 2%.
5.4 Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions or Loss of Virologic Response Due to Drug Interactions The concomitant use of SYMTUZA and other drugs may result in known or potentially significant drug interactions which may lead to [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7.5) ] : Clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposures of concomitant drugs. Clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposures of SYMTUZA.
Loss of therapeutic effect of the concomitant drugs from lower exposures of active metabolite(s). Loss of therapeutic effect of SYMTUZA and possible development of resistance from lower exposures of SYMTUZA. See Table 4 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during SYMTUZA therapy; review concomitant medications during SYMTUZA therapy; and monitor for the adverse reactions associated with concomitant medications [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7) ] .
When used with concomitant medications, SYMTUZA, which contains darunavir boosted with cobicistat, may result in different drug interactions than those observed or expected with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir. Complex or unknown mechanisms of drug interactions preclude extrapolation of drug interactions with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir to certain SYMTUZA interactions [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
5.5Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune systems respond may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.
Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease, polymyositis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of antiretroviral treatment.
5.6New Onset or Worsening Renal Impairment
Postmarketing cases of renal impairment, including acute renal failure, proximal renal tubulopathy (PRT), and Fanconi syndrome have been reported with TAF-containing products; while most of these cases were characterized by potential confounders that may have contributed to the reported renal events, it is also possible these factors may have predisposed patients to tenofovir-related adverse events [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 , 6.2) ] .
SYMTUZA is not recommended in patients with estimated creatinine clearance below 30 mL per minute. Patients taking tenofovir prodrugs who have impaired renal function and those taking nephrotoxic agents including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are at increased risk of developing renal-related adverse reactions. Prior to or when initiating SYMTUZA and during treatment with SYMTUZA, on a clinically appropriate sc
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Interactions
7. DRUG INTERACTIONS Co-administration of SYMTUZA with other drugs can alter the concentration of other drugs and other drugs may alter the concentrations of SYMTUZA components. Consult the full prescribing information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions. ( 4 , 5.4 , 7 , 12.3 )
7.1Not Recommended With Other Antiretroviral Medications
SYMTUZA is a complete regimen for HIV-1 infection and co-administration with other antiretroviral medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection is not recommended. For this reason, information regarding potential drug-drug interactions with other antiretroviral medications is not provided.
7.2Potential for
SYMTUZA to Affect Other Drugs Darunavir co-administered with cobicistat is an inhibitor of CYP3A and CYP2D6. Cobicistat inhibits the following transporters: P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP, MATE1, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Therefore, co-administration of SYMTUZA with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A and/or CYP2D6, or are substrates of P-gp, BCRP, MATE1, OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 may result in increased plasma concentrations of such drugs, which could increase or prolong their therapeutic effect and can be associated with adverse events.
Co-administration of SYMTUZA with drugs that have active metabolite(s) formed by CYP3A may result in reduced plasma concentrations of these active metabolite(s), potentially leading to loss of their therapeutic effect (see Table 4 ).
7.3Potential for Other Drugs to Affect
SYMTUZA Darunavir is metabolized by CYP3A. Cobicistat is metabolized by CYP3A and, to a minor extent, by CYP2D6. Co-administration of drugs that induce CYP3A activity are expected to increase the clearance of darunavir and cobicistat, resulting in lowered plasma concentrations which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Co-administration of SYMTUZA with other drugs that inhibit CYP3A may result in increased plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat (see Table 4 ).
Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a substrate of P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3. Drugs that strongly affect P-gp activity may lead to changes in TAF absorption. Drugs that induce P-gp activity are expected to decrease the absorption of TAF, resulting in decreased plasma concentrations of TAF, which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect of SYMTUZA and development of resistance. Co-administration of SYMTUZA with other drugs that inhibit P-gp may increase the absorption and plasma concentrations of TAF (see Table 4 ).
7.4Drugs Affecting Renal Function
Because emtricitabine and tenofovir are primarily excreted by the kidneys through glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion, co-administration of SYMTUZA with drugs that reduce renal function or compete for active tubular secretion may increase concentrations of emtricitabine, tenofovir, and other renally eliminated drugs and this may increase the risk of adverse reactions. Some examples of drugs that are eliminated by active tubular secretion include, but are not limited to, acyclovir, cidofovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin), and high-dose or multiple NSAIDs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] .
7.5Significant Drug Interactions Table
4 provides examples of established or potentially clinically significant drug interactions with SYMTUZA and recommended steps to prevent or manage these interactions. These recommendations are based on drug interaction trials conducted with the components of SYMTUZA, as individual agents or in combination, or are predicted interactions. No drug interaction trials have been performed with SYMTUZA or with all the components administered together.
Drug interaction trials have been conducted with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir or cobicistat or with emtricitabine and tenofovir prodrugs. The table includes potentially significant interactions but is not all inclusive , and therefore the label of each drug that is co- administered with SYMTUZA should be consulted for information related to the route of metabolism, interaction pathways, potential risks, and specific actions to be taken with regard to co- administration.
Table 4: Significant Drug Interactions Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Examples Effect on Concentration Clinical Comment This table is not all inclusive ↑ = increase, ↓ = decrease, ↔ = no effect Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: alfuzosin ↑ alfuzosin Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as hypotension. Antibacterials: clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin ↑ darunavir ↑ cobicistat ↑ antibacterial Consider alternative antibiotics with concomitant use of SYMTUZA.
Anticancer agents: dasatinib, nilotinib ↑ anticancer agent A decrease in the dosage or an adjustment of the dosing interval of dasatinib or nilotinib may be necessary when co-administered with SYMTUZA. Consult the dasatinib and nilotinib prescribing information for dosing instructions. vinblastine, vincristine For vincristine and vinblastine, consider temporarily withholding the cobicistat-containing antiretroviral regimen in patients who develop significant hematologic or gastrointestinal side effects when SYMTUZA is administered concurrently with vincristine or vinblastine.
If the antiretroviral regimen must be withheld for a prolonged period, consider initiating a revised regimen that does not include a CYP3A or P-gp inhibitor. Anticoagulants: Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) apixaban ↑ apixaban Due to potentially increased bleeding risk, dosing recommendations for co-administration of apixaban with SYMTUZA depend on the apixaban dose. Refer to apixaban dosing instructions for co-administration with P-gp and strong CYP3A inhibitors in apixaban prescribing information. rivaroxaban ↑ rivaroxaban Co-administration of rivaroxaban with SYMTUZA is not recommended because it may lead to an increased bleeding risk. dabigatran etexilate edoxaban ↑ dabigatran ↑ edoxaban Refer to the dabigatran etexilate or edoxaban prescribing information for recommendations regarding co-administration.
The specific recommendations are based on indication, renal function, and effect of the co-administered P-gp inhibitors on the concentration of dabigatran or edoxaban. Clinical monitoring is recommended when a DOAC not affected by CYP3A4 but transported by P-gp, including dabigatran etexilate and edoxaban, is co-administered with SYMTUZA. Other Anticoagulants warfarin warfarin: effect unknown Monitor international normalized ratio (INR) upon co-administration of SYMTUZA with warfarin.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to SYMTUZA during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263. Risk Summary SYMTUZA is not recommended during pregnancy because of substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat during the second and third trimesters [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] .
A study evaluating the pharmacokinetics of antiretrovirals during pregnancy demonstrated substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat in the second and third trimesters compared to the post-partum period (see Data ) and [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Prospective pregnancy data from the APR are not sufficient to adequately assess the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. However, available data from the APR show no statistically significant difference in the overall risk of major birth defects for darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) compared with the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in a U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) (see Data ) .
The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. The estimated background rate of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15–20%. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed when the components of SYMTUZA were administered separately at darunavir exposures less than 1- (mice and rabbits) and 2.6-times (rats) higher, at cobicistat exposures 1.7- and 4.1-times higher (rats and rabbits respectively), at emtricitabine exposures 88- and 7.3- times higher (mice and rabbits, respectively), and tenofovir alafenamide exposures equal to or 85- times higher (rats and rabbits, respectively) than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of these components in SYMTUZA (see Data ) .
No adverse developmental effects were seen when cobicistat was administered to rats through lactation at cobicistat exposures up to 1.1 times the human exposure at the recommended therapeutic dose. Clinical Considerations Not Recommended During Pregnancy SYMTUZA is not recommended for use during pregnancy because of substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat during pregnancy (see Data ) and [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
SYMTUZA should not be initiated in pregnant individuals. An alternative regimen is recommended for individuals who become pregnant during therapy with SYMTUZA. Data Human Data Darunavir and cobicistat in combination with a background regimen was evaluated in a clinical trial of 7 pregnant individuals taking darunavir and cobicistat prior to enrollment and who were willing to remain on darunavir and cobicistat throughout the study.
The study period included the second and third trimesters, and through 12 weeks postpartum. Six pregnant individuals completed the trial. Exposure to darunavir and cobicistat as part of an antiretroviral regimen was substantially lower during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy compared with postpartum [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . One out of 6 pregnant individuals who completed the study experienced virologic failure with HIV-1 RNA >1,000 copies/mL from the third trimester visit through the postpartum period.
Five pregnant individuals had sustained virologic response (HIV RNA <50 copies/mL) throughout the study period. There are no clinical data on the virologic response when darunavir and cobicistat are initiated during pregnancy. Prospective reports from the APR of overall major birth defects in pregnancies exposed to the components of SYMTUZA are compared with a U.S. background major birth defect rate. Methodological limitations of the APR include the use of MACDP as the external comparator group.
Limitations of using an external comparator include differences in methodology and populations, as well as confounding due to the underlying disease. Darunavir : Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 960 exposures to darunavir-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 640 exposed in the first trimester and over 320 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 3.7% (95% CI: 2.4% to 5.5%) with first trimester exposure to darunavir containing-regimens and 2.5% (95% CI: 1.1% to 4.9%) with second/third trimester exposure to darunavir-containing regimens.
Cobicistat : Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 560 exposures to cobicistat-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 470 exposed in the first trimester and over 80 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 3.6% (95% CI: 2.1% to 5.7%) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.0% to 6.2%) with first and second/third trimester, respectively, to cobicistat-containing regimens.
Emtricitabine : Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 5400 exposures to emtricitabine-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 3900 exposed in the first trimester and over 1500 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 2.6% (95% CI: 2.2% to 3.2%) with first trimester exposure to emtricitabine-containing regimens and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.9% to 3.7%) with the second/third trimester exposure to emtricitabine-containing regimens.
Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) : Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 660 exposures to TAF-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 520 exposed in the first trimester and over 130 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 4.2% (95% CI: 2.6% to 6.3%) and 3.0% (95% CI: 0.8% to 7.5%) with first and second/third trimester exposure, respectively, to TAF-containing regimens.
Animal Data Darunavir : Reproduction studies conducted with darunavir showed no embryotoxicity or teratogenicity in mice (doses up to 1000 mg/kg from gestation day (GD) 6–15 with darunavir alone) and rats (doses up to 1000 mg/kg from GD 7–19 in the presence or absence of ritonavir) as well as in rabbits (doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day from GD 8–20 with darunavir alone). In these studies, darunavir exposures (based on AUC) were higher in rats (2.6-fold), whereas in mice and rabbits, exposures were lower (less than 1-fold) compared to those obtained in humans at the recommended daily dose of darunavir in SYMTUZA.
Cobicistat : Cobicistat was administered orally to pregnant rats at doses up to 125 mg/kg/day on GD 6–17. Increases in post-implantation loss and decreased fetal weights were observed at a maternal toxic dose of 125 mg/kg/day. No malformations were noted at doses up to 125 mg/kg/day. Systemic exposures (AUC) at 50 mg/kg/day in pregnant females were 1.7 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat in SYMTUZA.
In pregnant rabbits, cobicistat was administered orally at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day during GD 7–20. No maternal or embryo/fetal effects were noted at the highest dose of 100 mg/kg/day. Systemic exposures (AUC) at 100 mg/kg/day were 4.1 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat in SYMTUZA. In a pre/postnatal developmental study in rats, cobicistat was administered orally at doses up to 75 mg/kg from GD 6 to postnatal day 20, 21, or 22.
At doses of 75 mg/kg/day, neither maternal nor developmental toxicity was noted. Systemic exposures (AUC) at this dose were 1.1 times the human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat in SYMTUZA. Emtricitabine : Emtricitabine was administered orally to pregnant mice and rabbits (up to 1000 mg/kg/day) through organo
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Adverse reactions
6. ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Severe skin reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Immune reconstitution syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] New onset or worsening renal impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Lactic acidosis/severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] The most common adverse reactions (all grades, incidence greater than or equal to 2%) were diarrhea, rash, nausea, fatigue, headache, abdominal discomfort, and flatulence.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Products, LP at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Clinical Trials in Adults Adverse Reactions in Adults with No Prior Antiretroviral Treatment History The safety profile of SYMTUZA in HIV-1 infected adults with no prior antiretroviral treatment history is based on Week 48 data from the AMBER trial, a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial where a total of 362 subjects received SYMTUZA once daily and 363 subjects received a combination of PREZCOBIX ® (fixed-dose combination of darunavir and cobicistat) and fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF).
The proportion of subjects who discontinued treatment with SYMTUZA or PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF due to adverse events, regardless of severity, were 2% and 4% respectively. An overview of the most frequent (occurring in at least 2% of subjects) adverse reactions irrespective of severity reported in AMBER are presented in Table 1. An overview of the most frequent laboratory abnormalities of at least Grade 2 severity reported in AMBER are presented in Table 2.
Changes from baseline in lipid parameters for patients receiving SYMTUZA and those receiving PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF are presented in Table 3. Most adverse reactions during treatment with SYMTUZA were grade 1 or 2 in severity. One grade 3 adverse reaction was reported and no grade 4 adverse reactions were reported during treatment with SYMTUZA. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2% of HIV-1 Infected Adults With No Prior Antiretroviral Treatment History in AMBER (Week 48 Analysis) SYMTUZA (N=362) PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF (N=363) All Grades At least Grade 2 All Grades At least Grade 2 Diarrhea 9% 2% 11% 2% Rash Includes pooled reported terms: dermatitis, dermatitis allergic, erythema, photosensitivity reaction, rash, rash generalized, rash macular, rash maculo-papular, rash morbilliform, rash pruritic, toxic skin eruption, urticaria 8% 4% 7% 5% Nausea 6% 1% 10% 3% Fatigue 4% 1% 4% 1% Headache 3% 1% 2% 1% Abdominal discomfort 2% - 4% <1% Flatulence 2% <1% 1% - Adverse Reactions in Virologically-Suppressed Adults The safety profile of SYMTUZA in virologically-suppressed HIV-1 infected adults is based on Week 48 data from 1,141 subjects in the EMERALD trial, a randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial where 763 subjects with a stable antiretroviral regimen consisting of a boosted protease inhibitor (bPI) [either darunavir once daily or atazanavir (both boosted with ritonavir or cobicistat), or lopinavir with ritonavir] combined with FTC/TDF switched to SYMTUZA, and 378 subjects who continued their treatment regimen of a bPI with FTC/TDF.
Overall, the safety profile of SYMTUZA in subjects in this study was similar to that in subjects with no prior antiretroviral treatment history. The proportion of subjects who discontinued treatment with SYMTUZA due to adverse events, regardless of severity, was 1%. Less Frequent Adverse Reactions The following adverse reactions occurred in less than 2% of adults with no antiretroviral treatment history or virologically suppressed subjects receiving SYMTUZA, or are from studies described in the prescribing information of the individual component PREZISTA (darunavir).
Gastrointestinal Disorders: dyspepsia, pancreatitis (acute), vomiting Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: angioedema, pruritus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: anorexia, diabetes mellitus, lipodystrophy Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: gynecomastia Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: myalgia, osteonecrosis Psychiatric Disorders: abnormal dreams Immune System Disorders: (drug) hypersensitivity, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome Hepatobiliary Disorders: acute hepatitis Laboratory Abnormalities Table 2: Laboratory Abnormalities (Grade 2–4) Reported in ≥2% of Adults With No Prior Antiretroviral Treatment History in AMBER (Week 48 Analysis) Laboratory Parameter Grade Limit SYMTUZA N=362 PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF N=363 Creatinine Grade 2 >1.3 to 1.8 × ULN 4% 14% Grade 4 ≥3.5× ULN <1% 0 Triglycerides Grade 2 301–500 mg/dL 7% 4% Grade 3 501–1,000 mg/dL 1% 1% Grade 4 >1,000 mg/dL <1% <1% Total Cholesterol Grade 2 240–<300 mg/dL 17% 4% Grade 3 ≥ 300 mg/dL 2% 1% Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Grade 2 160–189 mg/dL 9% 4% Grade 3 ≥190 mg/dL 5% 1% Elevated Glucose Levels Grade 2 126–250 mg/dL 6% 6% Grade 3 251–500 mg/dL <1% 0 ALT and/or AST elevations (Grade 2–4 combined) occurred in 2% of adult subjects receiving SYMTUZA with no antiretroviral treatment history in AMBER (Week 48 Analysis).
Results were consistent in subjects receiving PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF. Table 3: Lipid Values, Mean Change from Baseline, Reported in Adults With No Prior Antiretroviral Treatment History in AMBER (Week 48 Analysis) SYMTUZA N=362 PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF N=363 Baseline Week 48 Baseline Week 48 Mean The change from baseline is the mean of within-subject changes from baseline for subjects with both baseline and Week 48 values, or the last value carried forward prior to initiating lipid-lowering agent post-baseline. mg/dL Change mg/dL Change N N corresponds to the number of subjects with paired values and not on a lipid-lowering agent at screening/baseline.
Subjects on lipid-lowering agents at screening/baseline were excluded from the analysis (6 out of 362 subjects on SYMTUZA, 8 out of 363 subjects on PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF). Subjects initiating a lipid-lowering agent post-baseline had their last fasted on-treatment value (prior to starting the agent) carried forward (6 on SYMTUZA, 2 on PREZCOBIX+FTC/TDF). N=304 One subject did not have a Week 48 result for LDL cholesterol (n=303).
N=290 Total cholesterol 168 +30 164 +11 HDL cholesterol 45 +6 44 +2 LDL cholesterol 100 +19 98 +5 Triglycerides 117 +34 112 +21 Total cholesterol to HDL ratio 4.1 0.2 4.0
0.1 The percentage of subjects starting any lipid lowering drug during treatment in the SYMTUZA and PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF arm were 1.7% (n=6) and 0.6% (n=2), respectively. Renal Laboratory Tests In the AMBER trial, which enrolled 725 adults with no prior antiretroviral treatment history, subjects had a median baseline eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) of 119 mL/min (SYMTUZA) and 118 mL/min (PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF). From baseline to Week 48, mean (SD) serum creatinine increased by 0.05 (0.10) mg/dL in the SYMTUZA group and by 0.09 (0.11) mg/dL in the PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF group.
Median serum creatinine was 0.90 mg/dL (SYMTUZA) and 0.89 mg/dL (PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF) at baseline and 0.95 mg/dL (SYMTUZA) and 0.97 mg/dL (PREZCOBIX +FTC/TDF) at Week 48. Increases in serum creatinine occurred by Week 2 of treatment and remained stable. Median urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) was 47 mg/g (SYMTUZA) and 51 mg/g (PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF) at baseline and 30 mg/g (SYMTUZA) and 34 mg/g (PREZCOBIX + FTC/TDF) at Week 48.
In the EMERALD trial which had 1,141 virologically-suppressed
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At a glance
Brand name
Symtuza
Active substance
cobicistat
Pharmacologic class
Cytochrome P450 3A Inhibitor, Protease Inhibitor, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin ↓ cobicistat ↓ darunavir ↓ tenofovir alafenamide Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Anticonvulsants with CYP3A induction effects that are NOT contraindicated: e.g., eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine ↓ cobicistat ↓ tenofovir alafenamide darunavir: effect unknown Consider alternative anticonvulsant or antiretroviral therapy to avoid potential changes in exposures.
If co-administration is necessary, monitor for lack or loss of virologic response. Anticonvulsants that are metabolized by CYP3A: e.g., clonazepam ↑ clonazepam Clinical monitoring of anticonvulsants is recommended. Antidepressants: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): e.g., paroxetine, sertraline SSRIs: effects unknown When co-administering with SSRIs, TCAs, or trazodone, careful dose titration of the antidepressant to the desired effect, including using the lowest feasible initial or maintenance dose, and monitoring for antidepressant response are recommended.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline ↑ TCAs Other antidepressants: trazodone ↑ trazodone Antifungals: itraconazole, isavuconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole ↑ darunavir ↑ cobicistat Monitor for increased darunavir or cobicistat and
