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HIV and AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs, Treatments and Medications »
Entry Inhibitors
Entry inhibitors block HIV entry into CD4+ cells.
Fusion inhibitors
The only drug in this class is T-20, which is administered as a twice daily subcutaneous injection. The most common side effect is redness and pain at the site of injection. Rarely, infection can occur at the injection site. There also are reports of generalized allergic reactions.
CCR5 antagonist
Although there were some early concerns of liver inflammation for drugs in this class, MVC appeared to be well tolerated in clinical trials without any specific toxicities attributable to the drug. However, it is a new drug in a new class and the first to actually target the cell. For these reasons, longer follow-up from clinical trials and those followed in the clinic will be very important for assessing the overall safety of the...
Read the HIV and AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs, Treatments and Medications article »
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This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: adefovir.
If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting emtricitabine/tenofovir.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain other HIV medicines (e.g., didanosine, lopinavir/ritonavir).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are also using other drugs that may be harmful to the kidneys such as: aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin, amikacin), amphotericin B, cyclosporine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen), tacrolimus, vancomycin.
Tenofovir can decrease the effectiveness of another medication, atazanavir (by decreasing blood levels). If you take both of these drugs, your condition may worsen. If you are taking atazanavir with this product, you may need to also take another medication (ritonavir). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Some drugs may also change the way your body gets rid of tenofovir (e.g., cidofovir, acyclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir). If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.
Check the labels on all your medicines for HIV infection because they may contain the same ingredients (tenofovir, emtricitabine) found in this product. Do not take 2 medications that both contain the same ingredient without checking with your doctor first. Other medications may also contain a drug (lamivudine) that is similar to a drug in this medication. Consult your doctor before taking lamivudine with this medication.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES: To reduce the risk of spreading HIV to others, always use effective barrier protections (e.g., latex or polyurethane condoms, dental dams) during all sexual activity. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney tests, liver tests, viral load, T-cell counts, blood mineral levels, bone density tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements may help with the bone problems that may occur with HIV infection (osteopenia or osteoporosis). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. (See also Side Effects section.)
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised September 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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