Truvada (Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Truvada

HIV and AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs, Treatments and Medications »

Entry Inhibitors (including Fusion Inhibitors) and CCR5 Co-receptor Antagonist

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 »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Truvada User Reviews >>

Truvada

HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures

Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz

AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

font size

Truvada Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking emtricitabine and tenofovir (Truvada)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to emtricitabine or tenofovir.

Do not take this medication with other medicines that also contain emtricitabine or tenofovir (Atripla, Emtriva, Viread), or lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom, or Trizivir).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take emtricitabine and tenofovir, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease;
kidney disease;
osteopenia (low bone mineral density); or
if you also have hepatitis B infection.

FDA pregnancy category B. Emtricitabine and tenofovir is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.

Your name may need to be listed on an pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while using this medication. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether emtricitabine and tenofovir had any effect on the baby.

You should not breast-feed while you are using emtricitabine and tenofovir. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking emtricitabine and tenofovir. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken certain HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take emtricitabine and tenofovir (Truvada)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take this medication with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function or bone density may also need to be tested.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking emtricitabine and tenofovir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function at regular visits for several months after you stop using the medicine. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

It is important to take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Store emtricitabine and tenofovir at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet of moisture-absorbing preservative that comes with emtricitabine and tenofovir.

Related Drug Centers