Uses
What is emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate used for?
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is commonly used for the following conditions.
- Treatment of HIV (in combination with other medicine)
- Preventing HIV through sexual contact (pre-exposure prophylaxis, also called PrEP)
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate work (mechanism of action)?
People with HIV have a virus that spreads in their body and damages the immune system, making it easier for them to get very sick from other infections. Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate work together with other medicine to help stop the spread of HIV in your body. This helps protect and preserve the immune system and can prevent the virus from being spread to other people.
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can also help prevent people from getting HIV through sexual contact.
How is emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate supplied (dosage forms)?
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is available as Truvada and generic emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 100 mg/150 mg oral tablets
- 133 mg/200 mg oral tablets
- 167 mg/250 mg oral tablets
- 200 mg/300 mg oral tablets
How should I store emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, tightly closed in the original container.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
The most common side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Depressed mood
- Trouble sleeping
- Abnormal dreams
- Rash
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
There may be other side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
While less common, the most serious side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.
- Reduced need to pee
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Immune System Changes. When you start emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of infection.
- Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Vision problems
- Confusion, problems talking, or headache
- Skin problems such as a painful rash or warts
- Cough or coughing up blood
- Weakness or coordination problems
Weak Bones. Taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for a long time may cause your bones to become weaker, leading to reduced bone density (osteopenia). It may also cause a more serious condition called osteoporosis, which can cause bones to break (fracture) more easily. Tell your healthcare provider if you break a bone, and get a bone mineral density test if one is ordered for you.
Lactic Acidosis. Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in your blood), which can be serious. Stop taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.
- General ill feeling
- Muscle pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Drowsiness
- Stomach pain
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. This can cause serious liver problems that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Severe Allergic Reactions. Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
- Truvada
- Emtricitabine
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate products they stock.
Positive or Unknown HIV Status. Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate should not be used for prevention of HIV in those with unknown or positive HIV status. Your healthcare provider will test you for HIV before starting this medicine.
What should I know about emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate before using it?
Do not take emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate out of the reach of children.
If you are taking this medicine to prevent HIV (pre-exposure prophylaxis, also called PrEP), it should be part of a bigger plan that includes taking the medicine every day and practicing safe sex, like using condoms, to prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use condoms and know your partner's HIV status. Keep all appointments for routine HIV tests. This is important because if you get HIV but do not know it, taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate alone is not enough to treat the virus and could cause the virus to become resistant to treatment. Routine testing helps catch an infection early and helps prevent resistance. Regular testing for STIs is also important.
If you are taking this medicine to treat HIV, emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can help keep the infection under control, but it does not cure it.
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.
If you have HIV and hepatitis B, stopping emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can cause a serious flare-up, or worsening, of your hepatitis B. Your healthcare provider will test you for hepatitis B before or when starting this medicine. Do not run out of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or stop taking it without talking to your healthcare provider first. If you have HIV and hepatitis B and stop taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, keep all appointments for blood work so your healthcare provider can check the health of your liver.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Liver problems, including hepatitis B
- Kidney problems
- Bone problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by visiting www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate passes into breast milk. Do not take emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to treat HIV while you are breastfeeding. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and having HIV. If you are taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to prevent HIV (for PrEP), your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take it while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
Does emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
- Any other medicine for HIV or AIDS
- Any medicine for hepatitis C
- Any medicine for treating a viral infection
- Any aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin or gentamicin, which is given by injection to treat infections
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
If you or someone else has used too much emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Missing doses of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is very important not to miss or skip doses.