Prezcobix (Darunavir and Cobicistat) + Prezista (Darunavir)

Prezista and Prezcobix cannot be co-administered because they contain the same active ingredient. Taking these drugs concomitantly can lead to serious complications. Consult your healthcare provider for more information on drug combinations.

What Is Prezcobix?

Prezcobix is a combination drug made up of darunavir and cobicistat. While darunavir belongs to a group of protease inhibitors that act on the enzyme (protease) used by the virus to multiply, cobicistat is categorized under a class of cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors. The drug combination is usually prescribed as a fixed-dose.

Prezcobix is an antiretroviral medication used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 in adults [1]. Like other ARVS currently available, this drug does not cure HIV but does well to suppress its action and control the infection in the body.

What Is Prezista?

Prezista is a brand name for darunavir. It is commonly combined with ritonavir alongside other HIV medications to manage and control HIV [2]. Darunavir belongs to a class of protease inhibitors that prevent HIV from multiplying. Drugs of this class do this by attaching themselves to the viral protease enzyme, thereby slowing down or halting the replication process altogether.

To work effectively, this med is often used with other drugs that contain low doses of cobicistat or ritonavir.

Why Prezcobix and Prezista Cannot Be Used Together

Prezcobix is a combination of two antiretroviral agents, darunavir and cobicistat. Prezista, on the other hand, contains one of these active ingredients as well. Both drugs cannot be used together because of the ingredient they share in common (i.e. darunavir) [3]. Using them concomitantly may spike up the darunavir levels above safe limits, and this could cause unwanted short- and longterm after-effects.

References

  1. Prezcobix. Hosein SR. Published 2019. Catie.ca.
  2. Darunavir. Medlineplus.gov.
  3. PREZCOBIX® (darunavir and cobicistat) tablets, for oral use. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION (pdf). Janssenlabels.com.
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