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Updated: May 12, 2026

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
Cobicistat, a pharmacoenhancer for HIV treatments
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. temesgen.zelalem@mayo.edu
Abstract:
Cobicistat is a novel cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor in advanced clinical evaluation for use as a pharmacoenhancer of antiretroviral drugs. It lacks significant anti-HIV activity and is more selective than ritonavir in its enzyme inhibition. In addition, its water solubility may lend itself to coformulation with other drugs. Renal adverse effects and a considerable drug interaction potential limit its clinical utility and caution is required when using it. A fixed-dose combination product containing cobicistat in addition to elvitegravir, tenofovir and emtricitabine, and providing a one-pill, once-a-day, antiretroviral regimen was recently approved.
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