Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a brand-name drug. It’s prescribed to treat HIV in adults and some children. Stribild comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day.

Stribild is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HIV in adults and children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kilograms). It’s prescribed for people who fit one of the following criteria:

  • they have not previously received treatment for HIV
  • they are replacing another HIV treatment after at least 6 months of having an undetectable HIV viral load (a virus level that can’t be detected on tests)

Stribild belongs to a drug class called antiretrovirals. Stribild is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Stribild, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Stribild, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Stribild provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Stribild, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Read below for the recommended dosage of Stribild and other details about the drug.

Stribild form

Stribild comes as an oral tablet.

Stribild strength

Stribild comes as a single tablet that contains four active drug ingredients. Each tablet contains:

  • 150 milligrams (mg) of elvitegravir
  • 150 mg of cobicistat
  • 200 mg of emtricitabine
  • 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Typical dosages

The following information describes the dosage that is commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for HIV

If your doctor prescribes Stribild for your HIV, your starting dose will likely be one tablet per day. This is the typical (and the maximum) recommended dosage of Stribild for people with HIV.

For more information about your dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Stribild is approved to treat HIV in children who:

  • are ages 12 years and older and weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kilograms)
  • have not previously received treatment for HIV or are replacing another HIV treatment after at least 6 months of viral suppression on that treatment

If your child’s doctor prescribes Stribild, their starting dose will likely be one tablet per day. This is the typical (and maximum) recommended dosage of Stribild for both children and adults with HIV.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Stribild is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Stribild is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Stribild, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Stribild comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the tablet. Be sure to take your dose with a meal or snack.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s best to take Stribild around the same time every day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Stribild can work effectively.

If you have questions about how to use Stribild, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also additional information on the manufacturer’s website.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Stribild in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

It’s important that you don’t miss a dose of Stribild. A missed dose can result in HIV becoming resistant to treatment. This means that the drug may not be as effective at treating your HIV.

If you do miss a dose of Stribild, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re unsure whether to take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Stribild than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Stribild

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Stribild. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Stribild.

Is the dosage of Stribild similar to the dosage of Biktarvy?

There are some similarities in the dosages of these drugs. The forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Both are oral tablets that you take once per day.

However, the dose in milligrams for each drug differs. This is because they have different active ingredients. Biktarvy contains the active ingredients bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide.

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 Stribild to start working?

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

With HIV drugs, including Stribild, it typically takes several weeks to reach an undetectable HIV viral load. This means having a virus level that can’t be detected on tests. Having an undetectable viral load lowers your risk of contracting infections or passing HIV on to another person.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Stribild treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Stribild for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Stribild without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Stribild that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Stribild. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.