Frequently Asked Questions
Get the answers you need to take the next step.
About SYMTUZA®
SYMTUZA® is a complete, one-pill, once-daily prescription medicine for the treatment of HIV. SYMTUZA® contains darunavir, which is linked to a low risk of drug resistance. Talk to your doctor to see if SYMTUZA is right for you.
The most common side effects of SYMTUZA® are:
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Stomach problems
- Gas
These are not all of the possible side effects of SYMTUZA®.
In clinical trials, no patients stopped taking SYMTUZA® due to weight gain.
Across 2 clinical trials, one patient taking SYMTUZA® experienced treatment-related weight gain. The average weight gain over 48 weeks was between 3.13 lbs (1.42 kg) and 3.84 lbs (1.75 kg) in 1,125 patients in the SYMTUZA® group, and ~1 lb (.45 kg) for 741 patients in the control group. The long-term consequences of weight gain that occurs on an HIV treatment are not known. As research continues in this area, it's important to have ongoing conversations with your healthcare provider.
Talk to your healthcare provider to see if SYMTUZA® is right for you. You may be eligible for a free 30-day trial supply.
SYMTUZA® is manufactured and distributed by Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP. Janssen is committed to creating a future where disease is a thing of the past, advancing treatment in a variety of society’s most pressing health challenges.
SYMTUZA® was approved by the FDA in the United States for the treatment of HIV in July 2018, based on data from people who were new to treatment and those who were undetectable* who switched from another HIV medication.
*Undetectable is defined as the amount of HIV in the blood being below 50 copies/mL, meaning it cannot be measured by lab test.
Understanding HIV
Flu-like symptoms may occur within 2 to 4 weeks after being infected with HIV. Some of these symptoms include fever, chills, or rash. The symptoms may last for a few days to several weeks. Other possible symptoms of HIV include night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth ulcers. If you have these symptoms, that does not necessarily mean you have HIV, as other illnesses may cause the same symptoms. If left untreated, the virus may badly damage the body’s immune system and the infection may reach a late stage, which is then considered to have progressed to the chronic immune system disease known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). If you are experiencing signs or symptoms of HIV, talk to your healthcare provider.
HIV treatment can do the following:
- Reduce the amount of HIV in the body
- Reduce the risk of HIV transmission
- Prevent HIV from advancing to AIDS
- Protect the immune system
Taking HIV medications as prescribed can reduce the amount of HIV (viral load) in your blood to undetectable levels and protect your immune system. Getting to undetectable, or lowering your viral load, reduces your risk of transmitting HIV to others.
HIV is considered undetectable when the amount of HIV in the person's blood (also known as the viral load) is at a level lower than can be measured by a lab below (50 copies/mL). Getting to undetectable reduces your risk of transmitting HIV to others.
Drug resistance occurs when HIV is given an opportunity to mutate or “outsmart” your medication. Missing even a few doses can lead to resistance, meaning your medication may work less effectively (and in turn your viral load may go up, your CD4+ cell counts may go down, and your immune system may weaken), your future treatment options may be limited, and you may pass HIV drug resistance on to others.
Weight gain is a common side effect of some HIV treatments. Certain HIV treatments may cause more weight gain than other treatments. Some individuals can gain more weight on certain treatments than others. The reasons for weight gain are unclear.
A single tablet regimen is a complete HIV treatment that can be taken as one pill a day instead of taking multiple pills one or more times a day.
Living well with HIV starts with an effective medication that you can stick to. Eating right and staying active can help your body fight HIV. Click “Learn more” for a few tips on living a healthy lifestyle while living with HIV.
Last updated November 29, 2023
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