Symtuza (darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat HIV in adults and some children. Symtuza comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day.

Symtuza is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HIV-1 in adults and some children. (HIV-1 is the most common type of HIV.) Your doctor may prescribe Symtuza if you haven’t previously received HIV-1 treatment. They may also prescribe it to replace a different HIV-1 treatment in some cases.

Symtuza belongs to a group of drugs called antiretrovirals. Symtuza isn’t available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Symtuza, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Symtuza, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Symtuza provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Symtuza, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Symtuza’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.

Symtuza form

Symtuza comes as an oral tablet.

Symtuza strength

Symtuza comes in one strength. Each Symtuza tablet contains four drugs in the following amounts:

  • 800 milligrams (mg) of darunavir
  • 150 mg of cobicistat
  • 200 mg of emtricitabine
  • 10 mg of tenofovir alafenamide

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended for adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for HIV-1

Doctors may prescribe Symtuza to treat HIV-1 (a specific type of HIV). If your doctor prescribes Symtuza, your dosage will likely be one tablet taken once per day. This is the typically recommended dosage of Symtuza.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Symtuza is approved to treat HIV-1 in children who weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg)*, which is about 88 pounds (lb). Use in children who are 3 years old or younger should be avoided.†

The children’s dosage for Symtuza is the same as the adult dosage: one tablet taken once per day.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

* One kg is 2.2 lb.
† One of Symtuza’s active ingredients, darunavir, is not recommended to be used in children 3 years of age and younger. This is due to toxicity concerns from animal studies. For more information, talk with your child’s doctor.

Long-term treatment

Symtuza is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Symtuza is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take the drug long term.

Before you start taking Symtuza, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Symtuza comes as a tablet that you swallow whole. Be sure to take your dose with a meal or snack.

It may be helpful to take Symtuza at the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body and helps Symtuza work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing Symtuza tablets, you may use a pill splitter to divide the tablet in half. Then, take both halves (the entire dose) right away. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to properly split the pill. You can also read this article for other tips on how to take this form of medication. If you need more help taking Symtuza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Symtuza in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Symtuza, take it as soon as you remember. If you’re not sure whether to take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Symtuza than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Symtuza

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Symtuza. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Symtuza for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Symtuza without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Symtuza that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Symtuza. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Symtuza. For information about other aspects of Symtuza, refer to this article.
  • Cost. If you’d like to learn about Symtuza and cost, see this article.
  • Details about your condition. For details about your condition, see our HIV and AIDS hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.