Dosage & Administration
Testing: Prior to or when initiating SYMTUZA, test patients for HBV infection.
Prior to or when initiating SYMTUZA, and during treatment with SYMTUZA, on a clinically appropriate schedule, assess serum creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, urine glucose, and urine protein in all patients. In patients with chronic kidney disease, also assess serum phosphorus. ( 2.1)
Recommended dosage: One tablet taken once daily with food in adults and pediatric patients, weighing at least 40 kg. ( 2.2)
Renal Impairment:SYMTUZA is not recommended in patients with estimated creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min. ( 2.3)
Hepatic Impairment: SYMTUZA is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment. ( 2.4)
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Symtuza Prescribing Information
Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B (HBV) have been reported in patients who are coinfected with HIV-1 and HBV and have discontinued products containing emtricitabine and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and may occur with discontinuation of SYMTUZA. Closely monitor hepatic function with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months in patients who are coinfected with HIV-1 and HBV and discontinue SYMTUZA. If appropriate, anti-hepatitis B therapy may be warranted [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
SYMTUZA is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg:
- who have no prior antiretroviral treatment history or
- who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen for at least 6 months and have no known substitutions associated with resistance to darunavir or tenofovir.
Testing Prior to Initiation of SYMTUZA
Prior to or when initiating SYMTUZA, test patients for hepatitis B (HBV) virus infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
Prior to or when initiating SYMTUZA, and during treatment with SYMTUZA, on a clinically appropriate schedule, assess serum creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, urine glucose, and urine protein in all patients. In patients with chronic kidney disease, also assess serum phosphorus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] .
Recommended Dosage
SYMTUZA is a four-drug fixed-dose combination product containing 800 mg of darunavir (DRV), 150 mg of cobicistat (COBI), 200 mg of emtricitabine (FTC), and 10 mg of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). The recommended dosage of SYMTUZA is one tablet taken orally once daily with food in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg. For patients who are unable to swallow the whole tablet, SYMTUZA may be split into two pieces using a tablet-cutter, and the entire dose should be consumed immediately after splitting [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Not Recommended in Patients with Severe Renal Impairment
SYMTUZA is not recommended in patients with creatinine clearance below 30 mL per minute [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)] .
Not Recommended in Patients with Severe Hepatic Impairment
SYMTUZA is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)] .
Not Recommended During Pregnancy
SYMTUZA is not recommended during pregnancy because of substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat during the second and third trimesters [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
SYMTUZA should not be initiated in pregnant individuals. An alternative regimen is recommended for those who become pregnant during therapy with SYMTUZA.
Each SYMTUZA tablet contains darunavir ethanolate equivalent to 800 mg of darunavir, 150 mg of cobicistat, 200 mg of emtricitabine (FTC), and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate equivalent to 10 mg of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). The yellow to yellowish-brown, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablet is debossed with "8121" on one side and "JG" on the other side.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to SYMTUZA during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263.
Risk Summary
SYMTUZA is not recommended during pregnancy because of substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat during the second and third trimesters [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)] . A study evaluating the pharmacokinetics of antiretrovirals during pregnancy demonstrated substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat in the second and third trimesters compared to the post-partum period (see Data) and [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Prospective pregnancy data from the APR are not sufficient to adequately assess the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. However, available data from the APR show no statistically significant difference in the overall risk of major birth defects for darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) compared with the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in a U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) (see Data) . The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. The estimated background rate of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15–20%. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed when the components of SYMTUZA were administered separately at darunavir exposures less than 1- (mice and rabbits) and 2.6-times (rats) higher, at cobicistat exposures 1.7- and 4.1-times higher (rats and rabbits respectively), at emtricitabine exposures 88- and 7.3- times higher (mice and rabbits, respectively), and tenofovir alafenamide exposures equal to or 85- times higher (rats and rabbits, respectively) than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of these components in SYMTUZA (see Data) . No adverse developmental effects were seen when cobicistat was administered to rats through lactation at cobicistat exposures up to 1.1 times the human exposure at the recommended therapeutic dose.
Clinical Considerations
Not Recommended During Pregnancy
SYMTUZA is not recommended for use during pregnancy because of substantially lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat during pregnancy (see Data) and [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
SYMTUZA should not be initiated in pregnant individuals. An alternative regimen is recommended for individuals who become pregnant during therapy with SYMTUZA.
Data
Human Data
Darunavir and cobicistat in combination with a background regimen was evaluated in a clinical trial of 7 pregnant individuals taking darunavir and cobicistat prior to enrollment and who were willing to remain on darunavir and cobicistat throughout the study. The study period included the second and third trimesters, and through 12 weeks postpartum. Six pregnant individuals completed the trial.
Exposure to darunavir and cobicistat as part of an antiretroviral regimen was substantially lower during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy compared with postpartum [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
One out of 6 pregnant individuals who completed the study experienced virologic failure with HIV-1 RNA >1,000 copies/mL from the third trimester visit through the postpartum period. Five pregnant individuals had sustained virologic response (HIV RNA <50 copies/mL) throughout the study period. There are no clinical data on the virologic response when darunavir and cobicistat are initiated during pregnancy.
Prospective reports from the APR of overall major birth defects in pregnancies exposed to the components of SYMTUZA are compared with a U.S. background major birth defect rate. Methodological limitations of the APR include the use of MACDP as the external comparator group. Limitations of using an external comparator include differences in methodology and populations, as well as confounding due to the underlying disease.
Darunavir: Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 960 exposures to darunavir-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 640 exposed in the first trimester and over 320 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 3.7% (95% CI: 2.4% to 5.5%) with first trimester exposure to darunavir containing-regimens and 2.5% (95% CI: 1.1% to 4.9%) with second/third trimester exposure to darunavir-containing regimens.
Cobicistat: Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 560 exposures to cobicistat-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 470 exposed in the first trimester and over 80 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 3.6% (95% CI: 2.1% to 5.7%) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.0% to 6.2%) with first and second/third trimester, respectively, to cobicistat-containing regimens.
Emtricitabine: Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 5400 exposures to emtricitabine-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 3900 exposed in the first trimester and over 1500 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 2.6% (95% CI: 2.2% to 3.2%) with first trimester exposure to emtricitabine-containing regimens and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.9% to 3.7%) with the second/third trimester exposure to emtricitabine-containing regimens.
Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF): Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 660 exposures to TAF-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 520 exposed in the first trimester and over 130 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 4.2% (95% CI: 2.6% to 6.3%) and 3.0% (95% CI: 0.8% to 7.5%) with first and second/third trimester exposure, respectively, to TAF-containing regimens.
Animal Data
Darunavir: Reproduction studies conducted with darunavir showed no embryotoxicity or teratogenicity in mice (doses up to 1000 mg/kg from gestation day (GD) 6–15 with darunavir alone) and rats (doses up to 1000 mg/kg from GD 7–19 in the presence or absence of ritonavir) as well as in rabbits (doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day from GD 8–20 with darunavir alone). In these studies, darunavir exposures (based on AUC) were higher in rats (2.6-fold), whereas in mice and rabbits, exposures were lower (less than 1-fold) compared to those obtained in humans at the recommended daily dose of darunavir in SYMTUZA.
Cobicistat: Cobicistat was administered orally to pregnant rats at doses up to 125 mg/kg/day on GD 6–17. Increases in post-implantation loss and decreased fetal weights were observed at a maternal toxic dose of 125 mg/kg/day. No malformations were noted at doses up to 125 mg/kg/day. Systemic exposures (AUC) at 50 mg/kg/day in pregnant females were 1.7 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat in SYMTUZA.
In pregnant rabbits, cobicistat was administered orally at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day during GD 7–20. No maternal or embryo/fetal effects were noted at the highest dose of 100 mg/kg/day. Systemic exposures (AUC) at 100 mg/kg/day were 4.1 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat in SYMTUZA.
In a pre/postnatal developmental study in rats, cobicistat was administered orally at doses up to 75 mg/kg from GD 6 to postnatal day 20, 21, or 22. At doses of 75 mg/kg/day, neither maternal nor developmental toxicity was noted. Systemic exposures (AUC) at this dose were 1.1 times the human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat in SYMTUZA.
Emtricitabine: Emtricitabine was administered orally to pregnant mice and rabbits (up to 1000 mg/kg/day) through organogenesis (on GD 6 through 15, and 7 through 19, respectively). No significant toxicological effects were observed in embryo-fetal toxicity studies performed with emtricitabine in mice at exposures approximately 88 times higher and in rabbits approximately 7.3 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of emtricitabine in SYMTUZA.
In a pre/postnatal development study, mice were administered doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day; no significant adverse effects directly related to drug were observed in the offspring exposed daily from before birth ( in utero) through sexual maturity at daily exposures of approximately 88 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of emtricitabine in SYMTUZA.
Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF): TAF was administered orally to pregnant rats (up to 250 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (up to 100 mg/kg/day) through organogenesis (on GD 6 through 17, and 7 through 20, respectively). No adverse embryo-fetal effects were observed in rats and rabbits at TAF exposures approximately similar to (rats) and 85 times higher (rabbits) than the exposure in humans at the recommended daily dose. TAF is rapidly converted to tenofovir; the observed tenofovir exposure in rats and rabbits were 51 (rats) and 80 (rabbits) times higher than human tenofovir exposures at the recommended daily dose of TAF in SYMTUZA.
Since TAF is rapidly converted to tenofovir and a lower tenofovir exposure in rats and mice was observed after TAF administration compared to TDF (another prodrug of tenofovir) administration, a pre/postnatal development study in rats was conducted only with TDF. Doses up to 600 mg/kg/day were administered through lactation; no adverse effects were observed in the offspring on GD 7 [and lactation day 20] at tenofovir exposures of approximately 14 [21] times higher than the exposure in humans at the recommended daily dose of TDF.
Lactation
Risk Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers in the United States must not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV-1 infection.
Based on published data, emtricitabine has been shown to be present in human breast milk. There are no data on the presence of darunavir, cobicistat, or TAF in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Darunavir and cobicistat are present in the milk of lactating rats. Tenofovir has been shown to be present in the milk of lactating rats and rhesus monkeys after administration of TDF (see Data) . Because of the potential for (1) HIV transmission (in HIV-negative infants), (2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-positive infants), and (3) serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, instruct mothers not to breastfeed if they are receiving SYMTUZA.
Data
Animal Data
Darunavir: Studies in rats (with darunavir alone or with ritonavir) have demonstrated that darunavir is excreted in milk. In the rat pre- and post-natal development study, a reduction in pup body weight gain was observed due to exposure of pups to drug substances via milk. The maximal maternal plasma exposures achieved with darunavir (up to 1000 mg/kg with ritonavir) were approximately 66% of those obtained in humans at the recommended clinical dose of darunavir with ritonavir.
Cobicistat: During the pre/postnatal developmental toxicology study, at doses up to 75 mg/kg/day, mean cobicistat milk to plasma ratio of up to 1.9 was measured 2 hours after administration to rats on lactation day 10.
Tenofovir Alafenamide: Studies in rats and monkeys have demonstrated that tenofovir is excreted in milk. Tenofovir was excreted into the milk of lactating rats following oral administration of TDF (up to 600 mg/kg/day) at up to approximately 24% of the median plasma concentration in the highest dosed animals at lactation day 11. Tenofovir was excreted into the milk of lactating rhesus monkeys, following a single subcutaneous (30 mg/kg) dose of tenofovir at concentrations up to approximately 4% of plasma concentration resulting in exposure (AUC) of approximately 20% of plasma exposure.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of SYMTUZA for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg was established through studies with components of SYMTUZA. Use of SYMTUZA in this group is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of SYMTUZA in adults with additional pharmacokinetic, safety, and virologic data from studies of components of SYMTUZA (Trials GS-US-216-0128 and GS-US-292-0106) in pediatric subjects with HIV-1 infection aged 12 to less than 18 years [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), and Clinical Studies (14.3)] .
The safety and effectiveness of SYMTUZA have not been established in pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg.
Darunavir, a component of SYMTUZA is not recommended in pediatric patients below 3 years of age because of toxicity and mortality observed in juvenile rats dosed with darunavir.
Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data
Darunavir: In a juvenile toxicity study where rats were directly dosed with darunavir (up to 1000 mg/kg), deaths occurred from post-natal day 5 at plasma exposure levels ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 of the human exposure levels. In a 4-week rat toxicology study, when dosing was initiated on post-natal day 23 (the human equivalent of 2 to 3 years of age), no deaths were observed with a plasma exposure (in combination with ritonavir) 2 times the human plasma exposure levels.
Geriatric Use
Clinical trials of SYMTUZA included 35 subjects aged above 65 years of which 26 received SYMTUZA. No differences in safety or efficacy have been observed between elderly subjects and those aged 65 years or less. In general, caution should be exercised in the administration and monitoring of SYMTUZA in elderly patients, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Renal Impairment
SYMTUZA is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 mL per minute). No dosage adjustment of SYMTUZA is required in patients with creatinine clearance greater than or equal to 30 mL per minute [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Cobicistat has been shown to decrease creatinine clearance without affecting actual renal glomerular function. Dosing recommendations are not available for drugs that require dosage adjustment for renal impairment when used in combination with SYMTUZA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] .
Hepatic Impairment
No dosage adjustment of SYMTUZA is required in patients with mild (Child-Pugh Class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh Class B) hepatic impairment. SYMTUZA has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) and there are only limited data regarding the use of SYMTUZA components in this population. Therefore, SYMTUZA is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Darunavir and cobicistat are both inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoform. SYMTUZA should not be co-administered with medicinal products that are highly dependent on CYP3A for clearance and for which increased plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events (narrow therapeutic index). Darunavir and cobicistat are both substrates of the cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoform. Co-administration of SYMTUZA with CYP3A inducers is expected to lower plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat which may lead to loss of efficacy of darunavir and development of resistance. Examples of drugs that are contraindicated for co-administration with SYMTUZA due to the potential for serious and/or life-threatening events or loss of therapeutic effect [see Drug Interactions (7.5)] are listed below.
- Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: alfuzosin
- Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- Anti-gout: colchicine, in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment
- Antimycobacterial: rifampin
- Antipsychotics: lurasidone, pimozide
- Cardiac Disorders: dronedarone, ivabradine, ranolazine
- Ergot derivatives, e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
- Herbal product: St. John's wort ( Hypericum perforatum)
- Hepatitis C direct acting antiviral: elbasvir/grazoprevir
- Lipid modifying agents: lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin
- Opioid Antagonist: naloxegol
- PDE-5 inhibitor: sildenafil when used for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Sedatives/hypnotics: orally administered midazolam, triazolam