Skip to main content

Does Symtuza cause weight gain?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on March 31, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Symtuza may lead to mild weight gain as a side effect. In two clinical studies over 96 weeks, patients taking Symtuza gained about 2 kg (4.4 lbs). The exact reason why some antiretroviral medications cause weight gain is not fully understood.

Managing Weight While on Symtuza

The effects of weight gain from HIV treatment like Symtuza aren’t fully known. To lower your risk of gaining weight:

What Is Symtuza Approved For?

Symtuza is an FDA-approved combination antiretroviral regimen containing darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. It is used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in:

Approved in 2018, Symtuza offers a complete, once-daily treatment option for eligible patients.

References

Huhn, G. D., et. al. (2021). Week 96 subgroup analyses of the phase 3, randomized AMBER and EMERALD trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of the once daily darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) single-tablet regimen in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve and -experienced, virologically-suppressed adults living with HIV-1. In: HIV Research and Clinical Practice. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/25787489.2020.1844520

Ruderman, S. A., et. al. (2021). Brief Report: Weight Gain Following ART Initiation in ART-Naïve People Living With HIV in the Current Treatment Era. In: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000002556

Symtuza [package insert]. (2023). Janssen Products LP. Accessed 06/28/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=85a17d00-6b7c-41ea-a6b3-5ad924820dab

Read next

What drugs are contained in the HIV treatment Symtuza?

Symtuza is a four-drug combination of darunavir (DRV), a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) protease inhibitor, cobicistat (COBI), a CYP3A inhibitor, and emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Continue reading

Is obesity a major risk factor for Covid-19?

Obesity is a major risk factor for covid-19 and people who are obese are more likely than those who are not obese to contract Covid-19 at a younger age, develop severe Covid-19, require hospitalization, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, intubation, or admission into ICU, end up in hospital sooner, or die from Covid-19. Continue reading

What is the natural Mounjaro recipe for weight loss?

The “natural Mounjaro recipe” has exploded in popularity as a viral wellness drink, with social media users touting its potential for weight loss and metabolic health. While the name is inspired by the prescription medication Mounjaro (tirzepatide), it’s important to clarify that this homemade drink is not a substitute for any pharmaceutical therapy. Instead, it reflects a growing interest in natural, do-it-yourself solutions for weight management and overall wellness.

Continue reading

See also:

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups