Emtricitabine-Tenofovir

Emtricitabine-tenofovir is a drug to help treat and prevent HIV infection. The use of emtricitabine-tenofovir must be accompanied by other HIV drugs, to maximize their effectiveness. This medicine can only be obtained and used on a doctor's prescription.

Emtricitabine-tenofovir is a combination of two types of drugs, namely emtricitabine and tenofovir. Please note, this drug cannot cure HIV, but is used to help reduce the amount of HIV virus in the blood. That way, the immune system can work better and the risk of developing HIV complications can decrease.

In addition, the combination of these two drugs can also be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or prevention for people who are at high risk of contracting HIV.

Although it can be used as a PrEP drug, emtricitabine-tenofovir cannot always prevent HIV infection. Therefore, the use of this drug must be accompanied by prevention of other HIV infections, such as practicing safe sex, using condoms during sexual intercourse, or not sharing needles.

Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Trademark : Truvada

What is Emtricitabine-Tenofovir?

Precautions Before Taking Emtricitabine-Tenofovir:

• Do not use emtricitabine-tenofovir if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine.
• Do not use emtricitabine-tenofovir if you are currently taking any other medicines that contain emtricitabine, tenofovir, lamivudine, or adefovir.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of pancreatitis , liver disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis ), kidney disease, osteoporosis , or alcoholism.
• Emtricitabine-tenofovir is only used as a prophylactic (PrEP) in adults who are at high risk of HIV infection but are confirmed negative.
• This medicine can cause hepatitis B to recur or get worse. If you have a history of hepatitis B, liver function tests should be performed regularly while using emtricitabine-tenofovir.
• Emtricitabine-tenofovir may cause an increase in lactic acid in the blood. Immediately see a doctor if you experience symptoms of muscle aches, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or the body gets tired easily.
• Tell your doctor before having surgery if you are taking emtricitabine-tenofovir.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.
• Immediately go to the doctor if an allergic drug reaction or overdose occurs after you take this drug.

Dosage and Rules for Use Emtricitabine-Tenofovir

The following doses of emtricitabine-tenofovir to treat and prevent HIV infection are divided according to their intended use:

Treat HIV infection

• Adults and children weighing ≥35 kg: 200–300 mg per day, in combination with other antiviral drugs to treat HIV
• Children weighing 17 kg to < 35 kg: 100–250 mg daily, in combination with another antiviral drug to treat HIV

Prevent HIV infection

• Adults and children weighing ≥35 kg: 200–300 mg per day, accompanied by practicing safe sex. Time and duration of drug use must follow the doctor's recommendations

For patients who have difficulty swallowing, the tablet can be crushed first and taken with a glass of water.

How to Take Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Correctly

Emtricitabine-tenofovir is only given by doctors . Be sure to follow the recommendations and rules for use suggested by the doctor, and read the instructions on the drug packaging before taking emtricitabine-tenofovir.

It is important to take emtricitabine-tenofovir at the dosage recommended by your doctor. Try to take it at the same time every day so you don't miss or forget a dose.

Do not change the dose or stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor first because it can cause the amount of virus in the body to increase and make the disease more difficult to treat.

Store emtricitabine-tenofovir indoors at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Always close the drug packaging tightly after use and keep it out of reach of children.

Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Interactions with Other Drugs

The following are possible interaction effects when using emtricitabine-tenofovir with other drugs:

• Increase the risk of kidney problems if taken with drugs that can cause kidney damage, such as aminoglycosides , amphotericin B, ganciclovir , or vancomycin
• Increases the risk of lactic acidosis, if taken with alpha interferon
• Increased risk of pancreatitis and peripheral neuropathy when used with didanisone

Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Side Effects and Dangers

Emtricitabine-tenofovir can cause a number of side effects. Immediately consult a doctor if side effects appear in the form of:

• Loss of appetite
• The body gets tired easily
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Hard to breathe
• Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• Hard to sleep
• Nightmare
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing
• Muscle and bone pain
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Difficulty or pain when urinating
• Dark urine
• Swelling of the face and limbs
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes ( jaundice )
• Heart rhythm disturbances

Immediately see a doctor if the side effects above appear or an allergic drug reaction appears, such as an itchy rash, swelling of the face and lips, and difficulty breathing.