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Rukobia (fostemsavir) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults.
Rukobia is a type of HIV-1 medicine called an attachment inhibitor. Its active form, temsavir, blocks HIV-1 from attaching to certain receptors on immune cells. This helps stop the virus from entering the cells.
Doctors prescribe Rukobia with other HIV-1 medicines for adults who have used many HIV treatments before, have HIV-1 that is resistant to multiple medicines, and whose current treatment is failing because of resistance, side effects, or other safety concerns.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Rukobia comes as an extended-release tablet that is taken by mouth twice daily. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew, crush, or split it. Rukobia tablets may have a slight vinegar-like odor.
The recommended dose of Rukobia is one 600-milligram tablet taken by mouth twice daily.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Rukobia, the most common side effects occurred in about 2 percent to 10 percent of people. These include:
Rukobia can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
ViiV Healthcare, the manufacturer of Rukobia, offers the ViiVConnect Savings Card Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per prescription.
The program also offers a digital savings card that can be added to a mobile wallet and reimbursement support if your pharmacy can’t process the savings card.
To learn more, visit the ViiVConnect Savings Card Program or call 866-279-4705.
Before taking Rukobia, tell your doctor if you:
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Rukobia if you are allergic to fostemsavir or any of its ingredients. You also should not take Rukobia with certain medicines, including enzalutamide, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, mitotane, or St. John’s wort.
Do not miss doses or let your supply of Rukobia run out. The amount of virus in your blood may increase, and the virus may become harder to treat.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time or take more than your doctor tells you to take.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether Rukobia can harm an unborn baby.
A pregnancy registry tracks pregnancy outcomes in people exposed to Rukobia. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or calling 800-258-4263.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Possible risks include passing HIV-1 to a baby who does not have HIV-1, making the virus harder to treat in a baby who has HIV-1, and side effects in the baby.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Rukobia for HIV?
In a study of adults with HIV-1 who had used many HIV medicines before and had virus that was resistant to multiple medicines, 60 percent of people in the randomized group had a viral load below 40 copies per milliliter at week 96.
In that same group, the average CD4-positive cell count increased by 90 cells per cubic millimeter at week 24 and 205 cells per cubic millimeter at week 96. CD4-positive cells are a type of immune cell that HIV attacks. A higher CD4-positive cell count generally means the immune system is stronger.
In the nonrandomized group, 37 percent of people had a viral load below 40 copies per milliliter at both week 24 and week 96.
How long does Rukobia take to work for HIV?
Rukobia began lowering viral load as early as day 8 in the clinical study. By day 8, 65 percent of people who received Rukobia had a viral-load drop greater than 0.5 log10 copies per milliliter, and 46 percent had a drop greater than 1 log10 copies per milliliter.
How quickly Rukobia works can vary from person to person. The study does not give one set amount of time for everyone.
Can Rukobia be used with other medicines for HIV?
Rukobia is used with other antiretroviral medicines for HIV-1. It is not used by itself.
Some medicines should not be taken with Rukobia. These include enzalutamide, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, mitotane, and St. John’s wort. These medicines can lower the amount of temsavir, the active form of Rukobia, in the blood. This may make Rukobia less effective.
Other medicines can also interact with Rukobia. Some may require extra monitoring, caution, or dose changes. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.
On myHIVteam, people share their experiences with HIV, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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