If you’re looking at treatment options for HIV, your doctor may suggest Genvoya. It’s a brand-name medication used in adults and some children with HIV. Genvoya can be used as either:

  • Your first treatment for HIV.
  • A treatment to replace your current HIV treatment.

To learn more about the use of Genvoya for treating HIV, see the “What is Genvoya used for?” section below.

Genvoya basics

Genvoya contains four drugs in one pill.

Genvoya is a tablet that you swallow. It’s a complete HIV treatment regimen, which means it doesn’t need to be taken with other HIV medications. Genvoya isn’t available as a generic.

“The article covers Genvoya’s side effects.”

An active drug is an ingredient that makes a medication work.

Genvoya may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Genvoya are described in the lists below. All possible side effects are not included in these lists.

Side effects of a drug can depend on other factors.

  • Your age.
  • You have other health conditions.
  • You take other drugs.

The doctor or the pharmacy can tell you more about the side effects of Genvoya. They can suggest ways to reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Genvoya can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Genvoya’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Genvoya have been reported.

  • fatigue is low energy
  • nausea
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • There is a lot of There is a lot of diarrhea..

The side effects of many drugs can be gone in a few days. If they become intolerable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Genvoya can have serious side effects, but they are not common. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, you should call the emergency number.

There have been serious side effects of Genvoya.

The side effect is described in the section “Allergic reaction”.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Genvoya. While allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Genvoya, it can still happen.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

A more severe allergic reaction is not uncommon. A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet. They can include swelling of your mouth, throat, and tongue, which can cause trouble breathing.

If you have an allergy to Genvoya, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Genvoya can be used in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. voya may be used as well.

  • Your first treatment for HIV.
  • If the amount of HIV in your blood is too low to be detected on a blood test, you can use a replacement regimen.

Even though you are receiving treatment, HIV can be detected on a blood test.

HIV is a virus that targets your immune system. Your immune system defends your body against infection. HIV destroys certain cells made by your immune system. Without these cells, your immune system struggles to protect you against infection.

Unless it’s treated, HIV eventually causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). With AIDS, your immune system becomes so weak that it can’t protect you from infection.

The drugs in Genvoya work in different ways to stop HIV from replicating. This helps reduce the level of HIV in your blood. Your immune system is strengthened over time, which allows it to fight infections. Your risk for AIDs is lowered if you have a low HIV level in your blood.

“If you have HIV that is resistant to Genvoya, your doctor won’t prescribe it. A drug is no longer effective at treating HIV if it is resistant.”

An active drug is an ingredient that makes a medication work. Elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide are active drugs in Genvoya.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Genvoya, it is important to tell your doctor about all your medications. You should also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions that may occur.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Genvoya can interact with a lot of drugs. Examples include:

The list does not include all drugs that may interact with Genvoya. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the interactions that may occur with Genvoya.

Other interactions

You should not use the herbal supplement St. John’s wort with Genvoya. Doing so may cause Genvoya to be less effective. Ask your doctor about safe alternatives instead.

Boxed warning

Genvoya has a boxed warning for the risk of worsening hepatitis B infection. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Severe worsening of hepatitis B infection has been reported in people with hepatitis B who stop taking drugs such as Genvoya. This worsening can cause severe liver problems, including liver failure.

For more information, see the “Boxed warning” section at the top of the article.

Other warnings

If you have a medical condition that affects your health, Genvoya may not be right for you. contraindications are conditions or factors that could prevent your doctor from giving you the drug. Before you take Genvoya, talk to your doctor about your health history. The factors to consider are listed below.

  • Kidney problems. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may not prescribe Genvoya. This is because your kidneys help get rid of a Genvoya dose. If you have severe kidney problems, your body may not clear Genvoya as well. This can raise your risk for side effects, including serious ones. If you have kidney problems, your doctor can determine whether Genvoya is a safe option for you.
  • Liver problems. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Genvoya to people with severe liver problems. This is because your liver helps clear Genvoya from your body. If you have severe liver problems, your body may not get rid of Genvoya as well. This can raise your risk for side effects, including serious ones. If you have liver problems, talk with your doctor about whether Genvoya is safe for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Genvoya or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Genvoya. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Genvoya and alcohol

There’s no known interaction between alcohol and Genvoya. But both Genvoya and alcohol can cause liver problems. Drinking alcohol while taking Genvoya could raise your risk for this side effect.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you can drink while taking Genvoya.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Genvoya is not recommended during a pregnant period. Genvoya levels in your body can become too low if you are pregnant. The drug can be less effective.

If you and your doctor decide that you’ll take Genvoya while pregnant, consider joining the antiretroviral pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect data on the safety of using certain drugs, such as Genvoya, during pregnancy. Doctors and patients use the information from these registries to make decisions about their care.

Call 800 258-4263 to learn how to join the registry.

“If you have HIV, breastfeeding isn’t recommended. The virus may be passed on to your child through breast milk. Your doctor can discuss other feeding options with you.”

There are many factors that affect the cost of prescription drugs. What your insurance plan covers is one of the factors.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Advancing Access may also be available for Genvoya.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Genvoya that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form

Genvoya is a tablet that you swallow.

Recommended dosage

You will take Genvoya once a day.

Questions about Genvoya’s dosage

“Some questions about Genvoya’s dosage are listed below.”

  • What if I miss a dose of Genvoya? If you miss a dose of Genvoya, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take more than one dose of Genvoya at a time, because this could raise your risk of side effects. It’s important that you take Genvoya every day as directed by your doctor. Missing doses of Genvoya can lead to resistance (when the drug is no longer effective at treating HIV).
  • Will I need to use Genvoya long term? You’ll likely take Genvoya long term if you and your doctor agree that it’s working well and is safe for you.
  • How long does Genvoya take to work? Genvoya begins working right away. But as with other HIV drugs, it can take 24 to 48 weeks before the drug causes HIV levels to become undetectable. If you have questions about what to expect from your Genvoya treatment, talk with your doctor.

Genvoya and Biktarvy are both medications prescribed to treat HIV in adults and some children in certain situations.

For more about how Genvoya and Biktarvy are alike and different, check out this side-by-side comparison. Your doctor can also tell you more about how these drugs compare.

Genvoya and Stribild are brand-name medications that may be prescribed to treat HIV in adults and some children in certain situations.

To learn about how Genvoya and Stribild compare, see this article. You can also ask your doctor if one of these drugs may be right for you.

Find out what the answers are to some questions.

What should I know about alternatives to Genvoya, such as Dovato, Truvada, and Descovy?

Genvoya, Dovato, Truvada, and Descovy are all prescription medications used to treat HIV in certain people.

Truvada and Descovy may be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP involves taking HIV drugs before possible HIV exposure to prevent contracting the virus. But Dovato and Genvoya are not used for PrEP.

Talk to your doctor about the best HIV medication for you. If you want to know more about alternatives to Genvoya, your doctor or pharmacist can tell you.

Does Genvoya cause weight gain or weight loss?

No. In studies, people taking Genvoya didn’t report changes in weight. Other HIV drugs such as raltegravir (Isentress) may cause weight gain, but this isn’t a side effect of Genvoya.

People with HIV can lose weight. Some people who have lost weight due to HIV may gain it back once they start treatment.

If you have concerns about weight gain or weight loss, talk to your doctor.

Could Genvoya cause a false positive on a drug test?

“No, Genvoya isn’t known to cause false positives. A false positive is when a test results show drugs that haven’t been used.”

Efavirenz (Sustiva), another drug used to treat HIV, is known to cause false positives for certain drugs, including cannabis and benzodiazepines. But Genvoya isn’t known to cause this effect.

Does Genvoya cause pancreatitis?

No, Genvoya doesn’t cause pancreatitis. This wasn’t seen in the drug’s studies.

Pancreatitis has been reported with some older drugs used to treat HIV, including didanosine and stavudine. (Didanosine and stavudine are no longer available in the United States and have been replaced by newer medications for HIV). But Genvoya isn’t known to cause this side effect.

It’s important to note that pancreatitis has been reported in people taking certain newer HIV drugs. These include medications from two groups of drugs called integrase inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Genvoya contains medications from both of these drug groups, but Genvoya itself isn’t known to cause pancreatitis.

Mild or severe pancreatitis can be included.

If you notice symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Genvoya, call your doctor. If your symptoms feel life threatening, you can call the emergency room.

Could I experience hair loss during my Genvoya treatment?

No, Genvoya shouldn’t cause hair loss. This wasn’t a side effect reported in the drug’s studies.

Drugs used to treat HIV can cause hair loss. Genvoya is a newer type of HIV drug that does not cause hair loss.

If you are concerned about hair loss during your treatment, talk to your doctor.

Is depression a side effect of Genvoya?

No, Genvoya isn’t known to cause depression. This wasn’t a side effect seen in studies of the drug.

In Genvoya’s studies, there were very rare reports of suicidal thoughts or behaviors among people with a history of depression. The risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors wasn’t seen in people who’d never had depression.

If you have had mental health issues in the past, tell your doctor if you are taking Genvoya. If you experience suicidal thoughts while taking Genvoya, you should call the emergency room.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you think someone is at risk of self-injury or hurting another person.

  • You can call your local emergency number.
  • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Guns, knives, medications, and other things should be removed.
  • “Don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you should get help from a hotline. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.

“Your doctor will explain how to take Genvoya. They will explain how much to take and how often to take it. Follow your doctor’s instructions.”

Taking Genvoya

Genvoya is a tablet that you swallow.

Accessible medication containers and labels

“If you can’t read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels.”

  • Have a large print.
  • Use the visual aids.
  • You can use a code on a phone to change the text into audio.

“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”

“If you have trouble opening your bottles, please let your doctor know. They may be able to put Genvoya in a container. The drug’s container may be easier to open with the help of your pharmacist.”

Taking Genvoya with other drugs

Genvoya is a complete treatment for HIV. This means you won’t take other HIV medications, such as darunavir (Prezista), with Genvoya.

Questions about taking Genvoya

Some questions about taking Genvoya are listed below.

  • Can Genvoya be chewed, crushed, or split? Genvoya tablets should not be chewed or crushed, but they may be split in half. It’s not uncommon to have trouble swallowing pills. Your pharmacist or doctor can suggest methods for swallowing a pill.
  • Should I take Genvoya with food? Yes, you should take Genvoya with food. To help remember to take your dose, you may want to take it with the same meal every day.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Genvoya? No, there’s no best time of day to take Genvoya. But try and take your dose at around the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Genvoya. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help you.

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Genvoya affect me?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment to make you feel more comfortable.
  • “If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it.”

“Your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or give feedback on your treatment”

“Don’t take more Genvoya than your doctor prescribes. Side effects can be serious if you use more than this.”

What to do in case you take too much Genvoya

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Genvoya. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have HIV, your doctor may suggest Genvoya for you. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor. Ask them questions that help you feel comfortable with Genvoya. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • “What should I know about Genvoya’s storage?”
  • Is it safe to eat a fruit during a treatment?
  • What should I know about other options?

You may also be interested in learning more about living with HIV.

Q:

Will I need to have lab tests done during my treatment?

Anonymous

A:

Yes, certain lab tests are recommended before and during your Genvoya treatment. These include a blood test for hepatitis B.

You may have lab tests during Genvoya treatment.

These tests will check how well your kidneys are working. Because Genvoya can cause serious kidney problems in rare cases, it’s important for your doctor to regularly check your kidney function. They’ll tell you often you’ll need to have these tests while you’re taking Genvoya.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.