| Human immunodeficiency virus I infection
Descovy for PrEP vs Norvir
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for human immunodeficiency virus i infection.Deep comparison between: Descovy vs Norvir with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsNorvir has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Descovy based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Norvir but not Descovy, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Descovy
Norvir
At A Glance
Oral
Daily
NRTI combination
Oral
Twice daily
HIV protease inhibitor
Indications
- Human immunodeficiency virus I infection
- Human immunodeficiency virus I infection
Dosing
Human immunodeficiency virus I infection Adults and pediatric patients >=35 kg: one 200 mg/25 mg tablet once daily with or without food; pediatric patients 25 to <35 kg: one 200 mg/25 mg tablet once daily; 14 to <25 kg: one 120 mg/15 mg tablet once daily (with other antiretrovirals including DRV+COBI but not other PI/ritonavir or PI/cobicistat combinations); not recommended with eGFR 15-30 mL/min or <15 mL/min without chronic hemodialysis.
HIV-1 PrEP One 200 mg/25 mg tablet once daily orally with or without food in adults and adolescents >=35 kg with eGFR >=30 mL/min, or adults with eGFR <15 mL/min on chronic hemodialysis (dose after hemodialysis); not recommended with eGFR 15-30 mL/min or <15 mL/min without hemodialysis.
Human immunodeficiency virus I infection (Adults) 600 mg twice daily by mouth with meals; initiate at 300 mg twice daily and increase by 100 mg q2-3 days to minimize adverse events.
Human immunodeficiency virus I infection (Pediatrics >1 month) 350-400 mg/m2 twice daily by mouth with meals, not to exceed 600 mg twice daily; initiate at 250 mg/m2 twice daily and increase by 50 mg/m2 q2-3 days.
Contraindications
- Unknown or positive HIV-1 status when used for HIV-1 PrEP
- Known hypersensitivity (e.g., TEN or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to ritonavir or any excipient
- Co-administration with drugs highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance with potential for serious or life-threatening reactions: alfuzosin, ranolazine, amiodarone, dronedarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, voriconazole, colchicine (renal/hepatic impairment), lurasidone, pimozide, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cisapride, lovastatin, simvastatin, lomitapide, sildenafil (Revatio for PAH), triazolam, oral midazolam
- Co-administration with potent CYP3A inducers associated with potential loss of virologic response: apalutamide, St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum)
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=10%) Nausea (in antiretroviral treatment-naive adults with HIV-1 receiving FTC+TAF with EVG+COBI)
Serious Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B, immune reconstitution syndrome, new onset or worsening renal impairment, lactic acidosis/severe hepatomegaly with steatosis
Postmarketing Angioedema, urticaria, rash, acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, proximal renal tubulopathy, Fanconi syndrome
Most common (>=1%) Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, paresthesia (including oral), rash, fatigue/asthenia, dysgeusia, coughing, arthralgia, back pain, dizziness, pruritus, myalgia, flushing, hypertriglyceridemia, peripheral neuropathy, oropharyngeal pain
Serious Hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, allergic reactions/hypersensitivity
Postmarketing Dehydration, AV block (first-, second-, third-degree), right bundle branch block, Cushing's syndrome, adrenal suppression, seizure, nephrolithiasis, toxic epidermal necrolysis
Pharmacology
Dual HIV NRTI combination; emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) each inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase via nucleotide analog chain termination after intracellular phosphorylation, with TAF serving as a prodrug converted intracellularly to tenofovir and then to the active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate.
Ritonavir is a peptidomimetic inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease that renders the enzyme incapable of processing the Gag-Pol polyprotein precursor, leading to production of non-infectious immature HIV particles; it also potently inhibits CYP3A and, to a lesser extent, CYP2D6, significantly affecting plasma concentrations of many co-administered drugs.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Descovy
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (1/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (11/12)
Norvir
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (9/12) · Step Therapy (0/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Descovy
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (6/8)
Norvir
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (1/8)
Humana
Descovy
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (0/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Norvir
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (1/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
$0
Gilead Advancing Access Patient Assistance Program/Medication Assistance Program (PAP/MAP)Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Cost estimate not availableGood Days: HIV, AIDS Treatment & Prevention
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.