Managing Side Effects of Stribild: A Comprehensive Guide
The medication Stribild, a combination of bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide, is commonly used to treat HIV-1 infection. While it is effective in managing the virus, it can cause a range of side effects in both adults and children.
Common side effects in adults generally include diarrhea, nausea, headache, and fatigue. These are reported in less than 6% of patients taking Stribild or related regimens.
Mild side effects may encompass tiredness or unusual weakness, dizziness or mood changes, rash or skin changes, muscle aches or joint pain, and dry mouth or oily scalp (reported anecdotally in some adults).
In children, side effects generally mirror adults but with some differences such as hyperpigmentation (more frequent than in adults) and an increased incidence of infections, cough, vomiting, rash, rhinitis, diarrhea, fever, and other mild symptoms.
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention can include severe skin reactions (rash, blistering, peeling, sores), lactic acidosis (high acid in blood) and liver toxicity, especially in females, obese patients, or long-term users, kidney problems and worsening renal function, mood or behavior changes including depression, hostility, or suicidal ideation, and heart rhythm changes (such as QT prolongation) that cause dizziness, fainting, or fast/uneven heartbeat.
Adults and children taking Stribild should monitor for these serious signs and contact their healthcare provider immediately if they occur.
It's important to note that Stribild can worsen existing bone problems, such as bone loss, fractures, or osteoporosis. It can also exacerbate liver problems, including fatty liver disease and enlarged liver, and worsen hepatitis B, especially for those with HIV and the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Moreover, Stribild can cause kidney problems, including swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, fatigue, shortness of breath, urinating less than usual, nausea, and vomiting.
Stribild is not available in a generic version, and it carries a boxed warning for the risk of worsening HBV. It's not recommended to take Stribild during pregnancy due to potential risks, and it's unknown if Stribild causes harm to a breastfed infant.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of medications, including Stribild. If you experience mild symptoms of an allergic reaction to Stribild, call your doctor right away. For severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
In Stribild's clinical trials, some people reported having problems sleeping, with symptoms including difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up too early, excessive tiredness during the day, feeling irritable, anxious, or depressed.
It's also worth mentioning that Stribild can cause infections that are also known as AIDS defining illnesses, such as mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, certain types of pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), autoimmune conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, polymyositis, autoimmune hepatitis, and Grave's disease.
With immune reconstitution syndrome, the immune system starts working better after beginning treatment with Stribild, which can lead to clearing of infections that were previously undetected. However, its occurrence in clinical trials is not known.
Lastly, if you have mental health conditions, such as depression, you may have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or actions if you take Stribild. If you notice any symptoms of hepatitis B, talk with your doctor immediately.
In summary, Stribild is an antiretroviral drug that can cause a range of side effects, from common and mild to serious. Patients should always consult their healthcare professional for personalized advice and report any unusual symptoms promptly.
- Stribild, a medication for HIV-1 infection, can lead to skin problems like severe skin reactions, rash, blistering, peeling, and sores.
- Children taking Stribild may experience infections more often than adults, such as cough, rhinitis, diarrhea, and fever.
- Besides physical side effects, Stribild can affect mental health, potentially causing depression, hostility, or suicidal ideation.
- Skin-care products might help manage some of the minor side effects of Stribild, like rashes or skin changes.
- Mental-health patients, especially those with depression, might have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or actions if they take Stribild; it's essential to discuss this with their healthcare provider.
