Symtuza (darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir
alafenamide) is a prescription drug for treating HIV. The drug comes as an oral tablet. It’s usually taken once per day.

Symtuza is a single-tablet regimen for HIV that doctors may prescribe to adults and some children.

Your doctor may recommend Symtuza as a treatment for HIV if you haven’t taken antiretroviral medications before. They may also recommend Symtuza if you’re changing your HIV medication regimen and you meet the following requirements:

  • you’ve been following a stable HIV medication regimen for at least 6 months
  • your viral load (the amount of HIV in your blood) is less than 50 copies per milliliter (mL)
  • your body is not resistant to darunavir or tenofovir (two active ingredients* in Symtuza)

Symtuza has four active ingredients:

This article describes the dosage of Symtuza, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Symtuza, see this in-depth article.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

This section describes the usual dosage of Symtuza. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Symtuza’s form?

Symtuza is available as a tablet that you swallow.

What strength does Symtuza come in?

Symtuza has four active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Each Symtuza tablet contains:

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

What’s the usual dosage of Symtuza for adults?

The information below describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for HIV

The recommended Symtuza dosage is one tablet taken once per day.

What’s the dosage of Symtuza for children?

Symtuza may be prescribed to treat HIV in children who weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg), which is about 88 pounds (lb).

The dosage for children is the same as the dosage for adults: one tablet taken once daily.

Is Symtuza taken long term?

Yes, Symtuza is usually taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Symtuza comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow whole. Do not crush or chew Symtuza. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, you can split the tablet into two pieces using a tablet cutter. You should take the entire dose immediately after splitting the tablet. This article provides additional tips on swallowing tablets.

You should take Symtuza with food. Try to take it around the same time each day to keep a steady level of the medication in your body.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble taking the medication.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Symtuza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see the “Expiration” section of this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have difficulty opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Symtuza in an easy-open container.

If you miss a dose of Symtuza, take it as soon as you remember. It’s important to take Symtuza exactly as prescribed every day. Missing doses can cause the virus to become resistant to the ingredients in Symtuza, making it harder to treat HIV.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Symtuza on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Symtuza than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Symtuza

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Symtuza. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Symtuza’s dosage.

Is Symtuza’s dosage similar to the dosage of Biktarvy?

The forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Symtuza and Biktarvy (bictegravir sodium/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) both come as oral tablets that you take once per day.

However, the dose in milligrams (mg) and active ingredients of each drug differ. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Biktarvy has three active ingredients, and Symtuza has four active ingredients.

Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Symtuza to start working?

Symtuza starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

It’s important to take Symtuza daily as prescribed by your doctor to keep a steady level of the medication in your body. Missing doses of the medication can make your body resistant to the ingredients in Symtuza, which can make it harder to treat your condition.

If you have other questions about what to expect from your Symtuza treatment, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Symtuza for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Symtuza without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Symtuza exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Would taking a multivitamin affect my dosage of Symtuza?
  • Can you change my dosage of Symtuza if the drug isn’t working for me?
  • Will I need a dosage adjustment if I’m taking other medications to treat my condition?
  • Can I take Symtuza if I have liver or kidney problems?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.