PREZCOBIX Film-coated tablet Ref.[50500] Active ingredients: Cobicistat Darunavir

Source: FDA, National Drug Code (US)  Revision Year: 2022 

4. Contraindications

Darunavir and cobicistat are both inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoform. PREZCOBIX 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 PREZCOBIX with CYP3A inducers may lead to lower exposures of darunavir and cobicistat and potential loss of efficacy of darunavir and possible resistance. Examples of drugs that are contraindicated for co-administration with PREZCOBIX [see Drug Interactions (7.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] 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

5. Warnings and Precautions

5.1 Hepatotoxicity

During the darunavir clinical development program (N=3063), where darunavir was co-administered with ritonavir 100 mg once or twice daily, drug-induced hepatitis (e.g., acute hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis) was reported in 0.5% of subjects. Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis B or C, have an increased risk for liver function abnormalities including severe hepatic adverse reactions.

Post-marketing cases of liver injury, including some fatalities, have also been reported with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir. These have generally occurred in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease taking multiple concomitant medications, having co-morbidities including hepatitis B or C co-infection, and/or developing immune reconstitution syndrome. A causal relationship with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir has not been established.

Appropriate laboratory testing should be conducted prior to initiating therapy with PREZCOBIX and patients should be monitored during treatment. Increased AST/ALT monitoring should be considered in patients with underlying chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or in patients who have pre-treatment elevations of transaminases, especially during the first several months of PREZCOBIX treatment.

Evidence of new or worsening liver dysfunction (including clinically significant elevation of liver enzymes and/or symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, dark urine, liver tenderness, hepatomegaly) in patients on PREZCOBIX should prompt consideration of interruption or discontinuation of treatment.

5.2 Severe Skin Reactions

During the darunavir clinical development program (n=3063), where darunavir was co-administered with ritonavir 100 mg once or twice daily, severe skin reactions, accompanied by fever and/or elevations of transaminases in some cases, was reported in 0.4% of subjects. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome was rarely (less than 0.1%) reported during the clinical development program. During post-marketing experience toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis have been reported. Discontinue PREZCOBIX immediately if signs or symptoms of severe skin reactions develop. These can include but are not limited to severe rash or rash accompanied with fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, hepatitis and/or eosinophilia.

Mild-to-moderate rash was also reported and often occurred within the first four weeks of treatment and resolved with continued dosing.

5.3 Effects on Serum Creatinine

Cobicistat decreases estimated creatinine clearance due to inhibition of tubular secretion of creatinine without affecting actual renal glomerular function. This effect should be considered when interpreting changes in estimated creatinine clearance in patients initiating PREZCOBIX, particularly in patients with medical conditions or receiving drugs needing monitoring with estimated creatinine clearance.

Prior to initiating therapy with PREZCOBIX, assess estimated creatinine clearance [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Dosage recommendations are not available for drugs that require dosage adjustments in PREZCOBIX-treated patients with renal impairment [see Drug Interactions (7.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Consider alternative medications that do not require dosage adjustments in patients with renal impairment.

Although cobicistat may cause modest increases in serum creatinine and modest declines in estimated creatinine clearance without affecting renal glomerular function, patients who experience a confirmed increase in serum creatinine of greater than 0.4 mg/dL from baseline should be closely monitored for renal safety.

5.4 New Onset or Worsening Renal Impairment When Used With Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

Renal impairment, including cases of acute renal failure and Fanconi syndrome, has been reported when cobicistat, a component of PREZCOBIX, was used in an antiretroviral regimen that contained tenofovir DF. Co-administration of PREZCOBIX and tenofovir DF is not recommended in patients who have an estimated creatinine clearance below 70 mL/min [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

  • Document urine glucose and urine protein at baseline [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)] and perform routine monitoring of estimated creatinine clearance, urine glucose, and urine protein during treatment when PREZCOBIX is used with tenofovir DF. Measure serum phosphorus in patients with or at risk for renal impairment when used with tenofovir DF.
  • Co-administration of PREZCOBIX and tenofovir DF in combination with concomitant or recent use of a nephrotoxic agent is not recommended.

See cobicistat full prescribing information for additional information regarding cobicistat.

5.5 Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions or Loss of Virologic Response Due to Drug Interactions

Initiation of PREZCOBIX, which inhibits CYP3A, in patients receiving medications metabolized by CYP3A, or initiation of medications metabolized by CYP3A in patients already receiving PREZCOBIX may increase plasma concentrations of medications metabolized by CYP3A and reduce plasma concentrations of active metabolite(s) formed by CYP3A. Initiation of medications that inhibit or induce CYP3A may respectively increase or decrease concentrations of PREZCOBIX.

These interactions may lead to:

  • clinically significant adverse reactions, potentially leading to severe, life threatening, or fatal events from higher exposures of concomitant medications.
  • clinically significant adverse reactions from higher exposures of PREZCOBIX.
  • loss of therapeutic effect of the concomitant medications from lower exposures of active metabolite(s).
  • loss of therapeutic effect of PREZCOBIX and possible development of resistance from lower exposures of PREZCOBIX.

See Table 1 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during PREZCOBIX therapy; review concomitant medications during PREZCOBIX therapy; and monitor for the adverse reactions associated with concomitant medications [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7)].

When used with concomitant medications, PREZCOBIX may result in different drug interactions than those observed or expected with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir. Complex or unknown mechanisms of drug interactions preclude extrapolation of drug interactions with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir to certain PREZCOBIX interactions [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

5.6 Antiretrovirals Not Recommended

PREZCOBIX is not recommended in combination with other antiretroviral drugs that require pharmacokinetic boosting (i.e., another protease inhibitor or elvitegravir) because dosing recommendations for such combinations have not been established and co-administration may result in decreased plasma concentrations of the antiretroviral agents, leading to loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance.

PREZCOBIX is not recommended in combination with products containing the individual components of PREZCOBIX (darunavir and cobicistat) or with ritonavir. For additional recommendations on use of PREZCOBIX with other antiretroviral agents, [see Drug Interactions (7)].

5.7 Sulfa Allergy

Darunavir contains a sulfonamide moiety. Monitor patients with a known sulfonamide allergy after initiating PREZCOBIX. In clinical studies with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir, the incidence and severity of rash were similar in subjects with or without a history of sulfonamide allergy.

5.8 Diabetes Mellitus/Hyperglycemia

New onset diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and hyperglycemia have been reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients with HIV-1 infection receiving HIV protease inhibitor (PI) therapy. Some patients required either initiation or dose adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents for treatment of these events. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis has occurred. In those patients who discontinued PI therapy, hyperglycemia persisted in some cases. Because these events have been reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency cannot be made and causal relationships between HIV PI therapy and these events have not been established.

5.9 Fat Redistribution

Redistribution/accumulation of body fat, including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and “cushingoid appearance” have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. The mechanism and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown. A causal relationship has not been established.

5.10 Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including PREZCOBIX. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune systems respond may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.

Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease, polymyositis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of antiretroviral treatment.

5.11 Hemophilia

There have been reports of increased bleeding, including spontaneous skin hematomas and hemarthrosis in patients with hemophilia type A and B treated with HIV PIs. In some patients, additional factor VIII was given. In more than half of the reported cases, treatment with HIV PIs was continued or reintroduced if treatment had been discontinued. A causal relationship between PI therapy and these episodes has not been established.

6. Adverse Reactions

The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling:

  • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Severe skin reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
  • Effects on serum creatinine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
  • New onset or worsening renal impairment when used with tenofovir DF [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
  • Immune Reconstitution Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)]

6.1. Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Clinical Trials in Adults

During the darunavir clinical development program, where darunavir was co-administered with ritonavir 100 mg once or twice daily, the most common clinical adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 5%) of at least moderate intensity (greater than or equal to Grade 2) were diarrhea, nausea, rash, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting. See the darunavir full prescribing information for additional information on adverse reactions reported with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir. See cobicistat full prescribing information for clinical trial information on adverse reactions reported with cobicistat.

One single arm clinical trial was conducted with darunavir and cobicistat administered as single entities in 313 subjects with HIV-1 infection. Adverse reactions evaluated through Week 24 did not differ substantially from those reported in clinical trials with darunavir co-administered with ritonavir.

Clinical Trials in Pediatric Patients

No clinical trials with PREZCOBIX were performed in pediatric patients. However, the safety of the components of PREZCOBIX, darunavir and cobicistat, co-administered with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, was evaluated in pediatric subjects of 12 to less than 18 years of age with HIV-1 infection through clinical trial GS-US-216-0128 (virologically-suppressed, N=7 with weight ≥40 kg) through Week 48. Safety analyses of this trial in these pediatric subjects did not identify new safety concerns compared to the known safety profile of PREZCOBIX in adult subjects [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

6.2. Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of darunavir. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Redistribution of body fat

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Rhabdomyolysis (associated with co-administration with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

7. Drug Interactions

7.1 Potential for PREZCOBIX to Affect Other Drugs

Darunavir co-administered with cobicistat is an inhibitor of CYP3A and CYP2D6. Cobicistat inhibits the following transporters: P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP, MATE1, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Therefore, co-administration of PREZCOBIX with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A and/or CYP2D6 or are substrates of P-gp, BCRP, MATE1, OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 may result in increased plasma concentrations of such drugs, which could increase or prolong their therapeutic effect and can be associated with adverse events. Co-administration of PREZCOBIX with drugs that have active metabolite(s) formed by CYP3A may result in reduced plasma concentrations of these active metabolite(s), potentially leading to loss of their therapeutic effect (see Table 1).

7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect PREZCOBIX

Darunavir is metabolized by CYP3A. Cobicistat is metabolized by CYP3A, and to a minor extent, by CYP2D6. Co-administration of PREZCOBIX and drugs that induce CYP3A activity are expected to increase the clearance of darunavir and cobicistat, resulting in lowered plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Co-administration of PREZCOBIX and other drugs that inhibit CYP3A may result in increased plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat (see Table 1).

7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions

Table 1 provides dosing recommendations for expected clinically relevant interactions with PREZCOBIX (this table is not all inclusive). These recommendations are based on either drug interaction trials or predicted interactions due to the expected magnitude of interaction and potential for serious adverse events or loss of therapeutic effect. The table includes examples of potentially significant interactions but is not all inclusive, and therefore the label of each drug that is co-administered with PREZCOBIX should be consulted for information related to the route of metabolism, interaction pathways, potential risks, and specific actions to be taken with regard to co-administration. For the list of examples of contraindicated drugs, [see Contraindications (4)].

Table 1. Established and Other Potentially Significant* Drug Interactions: Alterations in Dose or Regimen May Be Recommended:

Concomitant Drug Class:
Drug Name Examples
Effect on Concentration of Darunavir, Cobicistat, or Concomitant Drug Clinical Comment
HIV-1 antiviral agents: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
didanosine ↔ darunavir
↔ cobicistat
↔ didanosine
Didanosine should be administered one hour before or two hours after PREZCOBIX (administered with food).
HIV-1 antiviral agents: Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
efavirenz ↓ cobicistat
↓ darunavir
Co-administration with efavirenz is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to darunavir.
etravirine ↓ cobicistat
darunavir: effect unknown
Co-administration with etravirine is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to darunavir.
nevirapine ↓ cobicistat
darunavir: effect unknown
Co-administration with nevirapine is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to darunavir.
HIV-1 antiviral agents: CCR5 co-receptor antagonists
maraviroc ↑ maraviroc Maraviroc is a substrate of CYP3A. When co-administered with PREZCOBIX, patients should receive maraviroc 150 mg twice daily.
Other agents   
Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist:
alfuzosin
↑ alfuzosin Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as hypotension.
Antibacterials:
clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin
↑ darunavir
↑ cobicistat
↑ antibacterial
Consider alternative antibiotics with concomitant use of PREZCOBIX.
Anticancer agents:
dasatinib, nilotinib
↑ anticancer agent A decrease in the dosage or an adjustment of the dosing interval of dasatinib or nilotinib may be necessary when co-administered with PREZCOBIX. Consult the dasatinib and nilotinib prescribing information for dosing instructions.
vinblastine, vincristine  For vincristine and vinblastine, consider temporarily withholding the cobicistat-containing antiretroviral regimen in patients who develop significant hematologic or gastrointestinal side effects when PREZCOBIX is administered concurrently with vincristine or vinblastine. If the antiretroviral regimen must be withheld for a prolonged period, consider initiating a revised regimen that does not include a CYP3A or P-gp inhibitor.
Anticoagulants:
Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)
apixaban
↑ apixaban Due to potentially increased bleeding risk, dosing recommendations for co-administration of apixaban with PREZCOBIX depend on the apixaban dose. Refer to apixaban dosing instructions for co-administration with P-gp and strong CYP3A inhibitors in apixaban prescribing information.
rivaroxaban ↑ rivaroxaban Co-administration of rivaroxaban with PREZCOBIX is not recommended because it may lead to an increased bleeding risk.
dabigatran etexilate
edoxaban
↑ dabigatran
↑ edoxaban
Refer to the dabigatran etexilate or edoxaban prescribing information for recommendations regarding co-administration. The specific recommendations are based on indication, renal function, and effect of the co-administered P-gp inhibitors on the concentration of dabigatran or edoxaban. Clinical monitoring is recommended when a DOAC not affected by CYP3A4 but transported by P-gp, including dabigatran etexilate and edoxaban, is co-administered with PREZCOBIX.
Other Anticoagulants:   
warfarin warfarin: effect unknown Monitor the international normalized ratio (INR) when co-administering with warfarin.
Anticonvulsants:
carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
↓ darunavir
↓ cobicistat
Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for reduced plasma concentrations of darunavir, which may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance.
Anticonvulsants with CYP3A induction effects that are NOT contraindicated:
e.g. eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine
↓ cobicistat
darunavir: effect unknown
Consider alternative anticonvulsant or antiretroviral therapy to avoid potential changes in exposures. If co-administration is necessary, monitor for lack or loss of virologic response.
Anticonvulsants that are metabolized by CYP3A:
e.g. clonazepam
↑ clonazepam Clinical monitoring of anticonvulsants is recommended.
Antidepressants:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):
e.g. paroxetine, sertraline
SSRIs: effects unknown When co-administering with SSRIs, TCAs, or trazodone, careful dose titration of the antidepressant to the desired effect, including using the lowest feasible initial or maintenance dose, and monitoring for antidepressant response are recommended.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs):
e.g. amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline
↑ TCAs
Other antidepressants:
trazodone
↑ trazodone
Antifungals:
itraconazole, isavuconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole
↑ darunavir
↑ cobicistat
Monitor for increased darunavir or cobicistat and/or antifungal adverse reactions.
↑ itraconazole
↑ ketoconazole
↑ isavuconazole
↔ posaconazole
Specific dosing recommendations are not available for co-administration with these antifungals. Monitor for increased itraconazole or ketoconazole adverse reactions.
voriconazole voriconazole: effects unknown Co-administration with voriconazole is not recommended unless benefit/risk assessment justifies the use of voriconazole.
Anti-gout:
colchicine
↑ colchicine Co-administration is contraindicated in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions.
For patients without renal or hepatic impairment:Treatment of gout flares – co-administration of colchicine: 0.6 mg (1 tablet) × 1 dose, followed by 0.3 mg (half tablet) 1 hour later. Treatment course to be repeated no earlier than 3 days.
Prophylaxis of gout flares – co-administration of colchicine: If the original regimen was 0.6 mg twice a day, the regimen should be adjusted to 0.3 mg once a day. If the original regimen was 0.6 mg once a day, the regimen should be adjusted to 0.3 mg once every other day.
Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever – co-administration of colchicine: Maximum daily dose of 0.6 mg (may be given as 0.3 mg twice a day).
Antimalarial:
artemether/lumefantrine
artemether: effect unknown
lumefantrine: effect unknown
Monitor for a potential decrease of antimalarial efficacy or potential QT prolongation.
Antimycobacterials:   
rifampin ↓ darunavir
↓ cobicistat
Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance.
rifabutin ↑ rifabutin
cobicistat: effects unknown
darunavir: effects unknown
When used in combination with PREZCOBIX, the recommended dose of rifabutin is 150 mg every other day. Monitor for rifabutin-associated adverse reactions including neutropenia and uveitis.
rifapentine ↓ darunavir Co-administration with rifapentine is not recommended.
Antipsychotics:
lurasidone
↑ lurasidone Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions.
pimozide ↑ pimozide Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias.
e.g. perphenazine, risperidone, thioridazine ↑ antipsychotic A decrease in the dose of antipsychotics that are metabolized by CYP3A or CYP2D6 may be needed when co-administered with PREZCOBIX.
quetiapine ↑ quetiapine Initiation of PREZCOBIX in patients taking quetiapine: Consider alternative antiretroviral therapy to avoid increases in quetiapine exposure. If co-administration is necessary, reduce the quetiapine dose to 1/6 of the current dose and monitor for quetiapine- associated adverse reactions. Refer to the quetiapine prescribing information for recommendations on adverse reaction monitoring.
Initiation of quetiapine in patients taking PREZCOBIX: Refer to the quetiapine prescribing information for initial dosing and titration of quetiapine.
β-Blockers:
e.g. carvedilol, metoprolol, timolol
↑ beta-blockers Clinical monitoring is recommended for co-administration with beta-blockers that are metabolized by CYP2D6.
Calcium channel blockers:
e.g. amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil
↑ calcium channel blockers Clinical monitoring is recommended for co-administration with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A.
Cardiac Disorders:   
ranolazine, ivabradine ↑ ranolazine
↑ ivabradine
Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions.
dronedarone ↑ dronedarone Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Other antiarrhythmics   
e.g. amiodarone, disopyramide, flecainide, lidocaine (systemic), mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine ↑ antiarrhythmics Clinical monitoring is recommended upon co-administration with antiarrhythmics.
digoxin ↑ digoxin When co-administering with digoxin, titrate the digoxin dose and monitor digoxin concentrations.
Corticosteroids:
dexamethasone (systemic)
Corticosteroids primarily metabolized by CYP3A:
e.g.
betamethasone
budesonide
ciclesonide
fluticasone
methylprednisolone
mometasone
triamcinolone
↓ darunavir
↓ cobicistat
↑ corticosteroids
Co-administration with systemic dexamethasone or other systemic corticosteroids that induce CYP3A may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to PREZCOBIX. Consider alternative corticosteroids.
Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.
Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone, prednisone and prednisolone (for which PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other steroids) should be considered, particularly for long-term use.
Endothelin receptor antagonists:
bosentan
↓ darunavir
↓ cobicistat
↑ bosentan
Initiation of bosentan in patients taking PREZCOBIX: In patients who have been receiving PREZCOBIX for at least 10 days, start bosentan at 62.5 mg once daily or every other day based upon individual tolerability.
Initiation of PREZCOBIX in patients on bosentan: Discontinue use of bosentan at least 36 hours prior to initiation of PREZCOBIX. After at least 10 days following the initiation of PREZCOBIX, resume bosentan at 62.5 mg once daily or every other day based upon individual tolerability.
Switching from darunavir co-administered with ritonavir to PREZCOBIX in patients on bosentan: Maintain bosentan dose.
Ergot derivatives:
e.g. dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
↑ ergot derivatives Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as acute ergot toxicity characterized by peripheral vasospasm and ischemia of the extremities and other tissues.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV):
Direct-Acting Antivirals: elbasvir/grazoprevir
↑ elbasvir/grazoprevir Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for the increased risk of alanine transaminase (ALT) elevations.
glecaprevir/pibrentasvir ↑ glecaprevir
↑ pibrentasvir
Co-administration of PREZCOBIX with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is not recommended.
Herbal product:
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
↓ darunavir
↓ cobicistat
Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for reduced plasma concentrations of darunavir, which may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance.
Hormonal contraceptives:  Additional or alternative (non-hormonal) forms of contraception should be considered when estrogen-containing contraceptives are co-administered with PREZCOBIX [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].
drospirenone/ethinylestradiol ↑ drospirenone
↓ ethinylestradiol
For co-administration with drospirenone, clinical monitoring is recommended due to the potential for hyperkalemia.
Other progestin/estrogen contraceptives progestin: effects unknown
estrogen: effects unknown
No data are available to make recommendations on co-administration with other hormonal contraceptives.
Immunosuppressants:
cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus
↑ immunosuppressants These immunosuppressant agents are metabolized by CYP3A. Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended with concomitant use
Immunosuppressant /neoplastic:
everolimus
↑ immunosuppressants
Co-administration of everolimus and PREZCOBIX is not recommended.
irinotecan  Discontinue PREZCOBIX at least 1 week prior to starting irinotecan therapy. Do not administer PREZCOBIX with irinotecan unless there are no therapeutic alternatives.
Inhaled beta agonist:
salmeterol
↑ salmeterol Co-administration with salmeterol is not recommended and may result in increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with salmeterol, including QT prolongation, palpitations, and sinus tachycardia.
Lipid Modifying Agents   
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors:
lovastatin, simvastatin
↑ lovastatin
↑ simvastatin
Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious reactions such as myopathy including rhabdomyolysis.
atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin ↑ atorvastatin
↑ fluvastatin
↑ pravastatin
↑ rosuvastatin
pitavastatin: effect unknown
For atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin, start with the lowest recommended dose and titrate while monitoring for safety (e.g. myopathy).
Dosage recommendations with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin are as follows:• atorvastatin dosage should not exceed 20 mg/day
• rosuvastatin dosage should not exceed 20 mg/day
Other lipid modifying agents:
lomitapide
↑ lomitapide Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for markedly increased transaminases associated with increased plasma concentrations of lomitapide.
Narcotic analgesics metabolized by CYP3A:
e.g. fentanyl, oxycodone
↑ fentanyl
↑ oxycodone
Careful monitoring of therapeutic effects and adverse reactions associated with CYP3A-metabolized narcotic analgesics (including potentially fatal respiratory depression) is recommended with co-administration.
tramadol ↑ tramadol A dose decrease may be needed for tramadol with concomitant use.
Narcotic analgesic for treatment of opioid dependence:
buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone, methadone
buprenorphine or buprenorphine/ naloxone: effects unknown
methadone: effects unknown
Initiation of buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone in patients taking PREZCOBIX: Carefully titrate the dose of buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone to the desired effect; use the lowest feasible initial or maintenance dose.
Initiation of PREZCOBIX in patients taking buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone: A dose adjustment for buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone may be needed. Monitor clinical signs and symptoms.
Opioid Antagonist   
naloxegol ↑ naloxegol Co-administration of PREZCOBIX and naloxegol is contraindicated due to potential for precipitating opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Phosphodiesterase PDE-5 inhibitors:
e.g. avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
↑ PDE-5 inhibitors Co-administration with avanafil is not recommended because a safe and effective avanafil dosage regimen has not been established.
Co-administration with PDE-5 inhibitors may result in an increase in PDE-5 inhibitor-associated adverse reactions including hypotension, syncope, visual disturbances and priapism.
Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH):
Co-administration with sildenafil used for PAH is contraindicated due to potential for sildenafil associated adverse reactions (which include visual disturbances, hypotension, prolonged erection, and syncope).
The following dose adjustments are recommended for use of tadalafil with PREZCOBIX:• Initiation of tadalafil in patients taking PREZCOBIX: In patients receiving PREZCOBIX for at least one week, start tadalafil at 20 mg once daily. Increase to 40 mg once daily based upon individual tolerability.
Initiation of PREZCOBIX in patients taking tadalafil: Avoid use of tadalafil during the initiation of PREZCOBIX. Stop tadalafil at least 24 hours prior to starting PREZCOBIX. After at least one week following the initiation of PREZCOBIX, resume tadalafil at 20 mg once daily. Increase to 40 mg once daily based upon individual tolerability.
Patients switching from darunavir co-administered with ritonavir to PREZCOBIX: Maintain tadalafil dose.Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction:
Sildenafil at a single dose not exceeding 25 mg in 48 hours, vardenafil at a single dose not exceeding 2.5 mg dose in 72 hours, or tadalafil at a single dose not exceeding 10 mg dose in 72 hours can be used with increased monitoring for PDE-5 inhibitor-associated adverse reactions.
Platelet aggregation inhibitor:   
ticagrelor ↑ ticagrelor Co-administration of PREZCOBIX and ticagrelor is not recommended.
clopidogrel ↓ clopidogrel active metabolite Co-administration of PREZCOBIX with clopidogrel is not recommended due to the potential reduction of the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel.
prasugrel ↔ prasugrel active metabolite No dose adjustment is needed when prasugrel is co-administered with PREZCOBIX.
Sedatives/hypnotics:
orally administered midazolam, triazolam
↑ midazolam
↑ triazolam
Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as prolonged or increased sedation or respiratory depression. Triazolam and orally administered midazolam are extensively metabolized by CYP3A. Co-administration of triazolam or orally administered midazolam with PREZCOBIX may cause large increases in the concentrations of these benzodiazepines.
metabolized by CYP3A:
e.g. buspirone, diazepam, estazolam, zolpidem
↑ sedatives/hypnotics With concomitant use, titration is recommended with sedatives/hypnotics metabolized by CYP3A and a lower dose of the sedatives/hypnotics should be considered with monitoring for increased and prolonged effects or adverse reactions.
parenterally administered midazolam  Co-administration of parenteral midazolam should be done in a setting that ensures close clinical monitoring and appropriate medical management in case of respiratory depression and/or prolonged sedation. Dose reduction for parenteral midazolam should be considered, especially if more than a single dose of midazolam is administered.
Urinary antispasmodics   
fesoterodine ↑ fesoterodine When fesoterodine is co-administered with PREZCOBIX, do not exceed a fesoterodine dose of 4 mg once daily.
solifenacin ↑ solifenacin When solifenacin is co-administered with PREZCOBIX, do not exceed a solifenacin dose of 5 mg once daily.

7.4 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with PREZCOBIX

Clinically relevant drug-drug interactions have not been observed or are not anticipated with concomitant use of darunavir and cobicistat with rilpivirine, dolutegravir, raltegravir, abacavir, emtricitabine, emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir DF, lamivudine, stavudine, zidovudine, or acid modifying medications (antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors).

8.1. Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exposure Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to PREZCOBIX during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) 1-800-258-4263.

Risk Summary

PREZCOBIX 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 and cobicistat 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 PREZCOBIX were administered separately at darunavir exposures less than 1 (mice and rabbits) and 3-times (rats), and at cobicistat exposures 1.6 (rats) and 3.8 (rabbits) times human exposures at the recommended daily dose of these components in PREZCOBIX (see Data). No adverse developmental effects were seen when cobicistat was administered to rats through lactation at cobicistat exposures up to 1.2 times the human exposure at the recommended therapeutic dose.

Clinical Considerations

Not Recommended During Pregnancy

PREZCOBIX 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)].

PREZCOBIX should not be initiated in pregnant individuals. An alternative regimen is recommended for individuals who become pregnant during therapy with PREZCOBIX.

Data

Human Data

PREZCOBIX in combination with a background regimen was evaluated in a clinical trial of 7 pregnant individuals taking PREZCOBIX prior to enrollment and who were willing to remain on PREZCOBIX 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 PREZCOBIX is initiated during pregnancy.

Prospective reports from the APR of overall major birth defects in pregnancies exposed to the components of PREZCOBIX 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.

There were no new clinically relevant safety findings compared with the known safety profile of PREZCOBIX in adults with HIV-1 infection.

Darunavir: Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 980 exposures to darunavir-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 660 exposed in the first trimester and over 320 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 3.6% (95% CI: 2.3% to 5.3%) with first trimester exposure to darunavir-containing regimens and 2.5% (95% CI: 1.1% to 4.8%) with second/third trimester exposure to darunavir-containing regimens.

Cobicistat: Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 570 exposures to cobicistat-containing regimens during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 480 exposed in the first trimester and over 80 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 3.7% (95% CI: 2.2% to 5.7%) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.0% to 6.2%) with first and second/third trimester, respectively, to cobicistat-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 (3-fold), whereas in mice and rabbits, exposures were lower (less than 1-fold) compared to those obtained in humans at the recommended clinical dose of darunavir co-administered with ritonavir.

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 1.6 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat.

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 3.8 times higher than human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat.

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 1.2 times the human exposures at the recommended daily dose of cobicistat.

8.2. Lactation

Risk Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV infected mothers in the United States not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV.

There are no data on the presence of darunavir or cobicistat 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 (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 PREZCOBIX.

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 postnatal 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 50% 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.

8.3. Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Contraception

Additional or alternative (non-hormonal) forms of contraception should be considered when estrogen-containing contraceptives are co-administered with PREZCOBIX. For co-administration with drospirenone, clinical monitoring is recommended due to the potential for hyperkalemia. No data are available to make recommendations on co-administration with other hormonal contraceptives [see Drug Interactions (7.3)].

8.4. Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of PREZCOBIX for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg was established through a trial with components of PREZCOBIX. Use of PREZCOBIX in this group is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults with additional pharmacokinetic, safety, and virologic data from a study of components of PREZCOBIX (Trial GS-US-216-0128) 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 (14.2)].

The safety and effectiveness of PREZCOBIX have not been established in pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg. Darunavir, a component of PREZCOBIX 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.

8.5. Geriatric Use

Clinical trials of PREZCOBIX did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. In general, caution should be exercised in the administration and monitoring of PREZCOBIX in elderly patients, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.7. Renal Impairment

A renal impairment trial was not conducted for darunavir co-administered with cobicistat [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Cobicistat has been shown to decrease estimated 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 PREZCOBIX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

8.6. Hepatic Impairment

No clinical trials were conducted with darunavir co-administered with cobicistat in hepatically impaired subjects and the effect of hepatic impairment on darunavir exposure when co-administered with cobicistat has not been evaluated. Based on the recommendations for darunavir co-administered with ritonavir, a dose adjustment for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment is not necessary. No pharmacokinetic or safety data are available regarding the use of darunavir in subjects with severe hepatic impairment. Therefore, PREZCOBIX is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.