Descovy and Norvir can be combined, however, they might interact in such a way that a dose adjustment might be in order. It is advisable to consult your healthcare provider before using these meds together.
Descovy is a drug known for its relevance in the treatment of HIV infection. It contains tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine, two potent active ingredients that belong to the classes of drugs known as nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors respectively.
It is approved for the treatment of patients who weigh 35 kg and over when it’s used with a particular group of HIV meds as well as those who weigh 25 kg when it is used with some other antiretroviral drugs [1].
This med can be used with antiretrovirals other than protease inhibitors that need a CYP3A4 inhibitor for the treatment of HIV-1. Descovy is not a cure for HIV, but it can prevent the progression of the virus to AIDS if the prescription is followed.
Norvir is an antiretroviral booster administered in minimal doses with other anti-HIV medicines to control and maintain the viral load in HIV-positive patients [2]. Though it contains an antiretroviral agent called ritonavir as its active ingredient, which effectively reduces the replication of HIV, giving room for the immune system to become stronger, it most often poses as an enhancer to other drugs in a combined treatment regimen. Norvir is not a cure for HIV.
Though there is no detailed study of the coadministration of Descovy and Norvir, by observation, there seems to be a potential interaction between these drugs. This is because while tenofovir alafenamide is a substrate of P-gp, ritonavir (the active ingredient in Norvir) is a P-gp inhibitor. Thus, when both drugs are combined together, the systemic concentrations of TAF may be elevated because of the absorption of this substance by ritonavir [1].
However, since the way drugs interact may vary from individual to individual, it is important to seek medical supervision before coadministering these drugs. Users are advised to inform their doctors of all medicines (prescription and non-prescription) and supplements being taken before starting treatment with any antiretroviral drug.