Genvoya (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) is a prescription drug that’s prescribed to treat HIV. The drug comes as an oral tablet. It’s usually taken once per day with food.

Genvoya is prescribed for adults and some children as a first treatment for HIV or to replace another HIV treatment.

If you’re considering switching to Genvoya from another treatment, your doctor will make sure you‘ve been on a stable treatment regimen for the past 6 months and have an undetectable viral load. They’ll also confirm that the virus hasn’t developed resistance* to treatments in the past. And finally, they’ll try to determine if the virus might already be resistant to any of the individual ingredients in Genvoya. Knowing this information can help you and your doctor make the right treatment decisions.

Genvoya is a single-tablet regimen for HIV. It contains four active ingredients† that are each a type of HIV medication. The active ingredients are:

This article describes the dosage of Genvoya, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Genvoya, see this in-depth article.

* With resistance, the virus no longer responds to a drug that previously treated it effectively.
† An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

This section describes the usual dosages of Genvoya. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Genvoya’s form?

Genvoya is available as a tablet that you swallow.

What strength does Genvoya come in?

Genvoya comes in one strength. Each tablet contains:

  • 150 milligrams (mg) of elvitegravir
  • 150 mg of cobicistat
  • 200 mg of emtricitabine
  • 10 mg of tenofovir alafenamide

What are the usual dosages of Genvoya?

The information below describes the dosage that is commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for HIV

Genvoya is prescribed for adults as a first treatment for HIV or to replace another HIV treatment.

The recommended dosage of Genvoya is one tablet per day.

What’s the dosage of Genvoya for children?

Genvoya may be prescribed for children who weigh 25 kilograms (kg)* or greater to treat HIV. The dosage for children is one tablet per day.

* One kg is approximately 2.2 pounds (lb), so 25 kg is about 55 lb.

Is Genvoya used long term?

Yes, Genvoya is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

The dosage of Genvoya isn’t usually adjusted. But in certain situations, the timing of your dose may be affected.

For example, if you receive hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease several times per week, your doctor will recommend that you take Genvoya following dialysis on those days.

And if you take any medications or supplements that contain certain minerals, you shouldn’t take them at the same time you take Genvoya. Instead, take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take Genvoya. Examples of these minerals are aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. Common medications that contain these ingredients are antacids and laxatives. Dietary supplements and multivitamins may also contain these ingredients.

If you have any questions about the best time to take Genvoya, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You should always take Genvoya with food. Try to take it at the same time every day. For example, you could take Genvoya in the morning with your breakfast, if that’s something you do every day around the same time.

Genvoya comes as a tablet that you swallow. The drug manufacturer of Genvoya does not recommend crushing or splitting the tablet*. (The manufacturer has only studied the effects of Genvoya taken as a whole tablet.) If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Genvoya, see this article.

* This is a PDF file from the drug manufacturer’s website. If you click on this link, it will ask to be downloaded to your computer or device.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Genvoya in an easy-open container.

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 your missed dose and take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. You should not take two doses of Genvoya at once. If you’re not sure if you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s important not to miss doses of Genvoya. Missing a dose can increase the risk of viral resistance. With viral resistance, the virus no longer responds to a drug that previously treated it effectively.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Genvoya on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Genvoya than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Genvoya

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Genvoya. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison 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.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Genvoya for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Genvoya without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Genvoya exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will you adjust my dosage of Genvoya if I’m having side effects?
  • How will I know if Genvoya is working for me?
  • If I need to take an over-the-counter medication, should I change the time when I take Genvoya?

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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.