From the Guidelines
If a patient experiences syncope while taking Descovy, they should immediately sit or lie down in a safe position to prevent injury from falling, and then seek medical attention by calling their healthcare provider or going to the emergency room. This approach prioritizes the patient's safety and well-being, as syncope can lead to physical injury, including fractures, intracranial hemorrhage, or other organ damage, if the individual is upright at the time of the syncopal episode 1. The patient should not stop taking Descovy without medical guidance but should report this serious side effect promptly. When seeking medical care, patients should bring their medication with them and provide details about when the syncope occurred, any preceding symptoms, and other medications they're taking. Healthcare providers will likely perform tests to determine if the syncope is related to Descovy or caused by another condition, considering factors such as cardiovascular effects, drug interactions, or other medical conditions rather than a direct effect of Descovy itself 1. Some key points to consider include:
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of presyncope, such as pallor, sweating, lightheadedness, visual changes, and weakness, which can last for a few seconds before the onset of vasovagal and orthostatic syncope 1.
- Using physical counterpressure maneuvers (PCMs) to avoid syncope, which can be beneficial for individuals experiencing presyncope of vasovagal or orthostatic origin 1.
- Avoiding driving or operating machinery and sitting or lying down if feeling lightheaded to prevent injury from falling. Given the potential for underlying issues that require evaluation, immediate medical attention is crucial to ensure the patient's morbidity, mortality, and quality of life are not compromised.
From the Research
Descovy Related Syncope
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that specifically addresses syncope related to Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) for HIV treatment or PrEP.
- However, the studies do provide information on the safety and efficacy of Descovy compared to other treatments, such as Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine) 2, 3, 4.
- In general, Descovy has been shown to be well-tolerated, with a low number of adverse events leading to discontinuation of the study drug 2, 4.
- If a patient experiences syncope while taking Descovy, it is likely that the healthcare provider would investigate the cause of the syncope and determine the best course of action, which may include adjusting the treatment regimen or addressing any underlying health conditions.
Management of Syncope in Patients Taking Descovy
- The management of syncope in patients taking Descovy would depend on the underlying cause of the syncope and the patient's individual health status.
- In general, patients who experience syncope should be evaluated for any underlying health conditions that may be contributing to the syncope, such as cardiovascular disease or neurological disorders.
- The healthcare provider may also consider adjusting the patient's treatment regimen, including switching to a different medication or adjusting the dose of Descovy, if necessary.
- Patients taking Descovy who experience syncope should be advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting 5, 6.
Safety and Efficacy of Descovy
- Descovy has been shown to be effective in preventing HIV infection and suppressing viral load in patients with HIV-1 infection 2, 5, 4.
- The safety profile of Descovy is similar to that of other antiretroviral medications, with a low number of adverse events leading to discontinuation of the study drug 2, 4.
- Descovy has been shown to have a more favorable effect on bone mineral density and renal biomarkers compared to Truvada 2, 4.