Emtricitabine and Tenofovir tablet

What is this medicine?

EMTRICITABINE and TENOFOVIR are antiviral drugs that work by preventing HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cells from multiplying in the body.

Emtricitabine+Tenofovir is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Emtricitabine+Tenofovir is also used together with safer-sex practices to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV. You must be HIV-negative to use Emtricitabine+Tenofovir for this purpose. This medication may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

You should not take Emtricitabine+Tenofovir if you are allergic to emtricitabine or tenofovir. Do not take Emtricitabine+Tenofovir if you also take other medicines that contain emtricitabine, tenofovir, lamivudine, or adefovir (this includes Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Emtriva, Epivir, Epzicom, Hepsera, Stribild, Trizivir, and Viread).

If you use Emtricitabine+Tenofovir to reduce your risk of HIV infection: You must have a negative HIV test immediately before you start taking the medicine. An HIV test is also required every 3 months during treatment.

Do not take Emtricitabine+Tenofovir to reduce infection risk if you are HIV-positive, if have been exposed to HIV within the past month, or if you had any symptoms (such as fever, night sweats, swollen glands, diarrhea, body aches).

To make sure Emtricitabine+Tenofovir is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

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

Some people taking this medicine develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk.

FDA pregnancy category B. Emtricitabine+Tenofovir is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

You should not breast-feed while you are using this medication to treat or prevent HIV. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

This medication should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old, or weighing less than 77 pounds.

How should I take this medicine?

Take Emtricitabine+Tenofovir exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney and liver function, or bone mineral density may also need to be checked.

Use Emtricitabine+Tenofovir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Emtricitabine+Tenofovir.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

What if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What should I watch for while taking this medicine?

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Emtricitabine+Tenofovir: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Early symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Call your doctor at once if you have swelling, rapid weight gain, and little or no urinating.

Emtricitabine+Tenofovir may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with Emtricitabine+Tenofovir. Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
• chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
• cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
• rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.

Common Emtricitabine+Tenofovir side effects may include:

• headache, mild dizziness, depressed mood;
• strange dreams;
• mild itching or skin rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

What may interact with this medicine?

Emtricitabine+Tenofovir can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines, including: antivirals, chemotherapy, injected antibiotics, medicine for bowel disorders, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, injectable osteoporosis medications, and some pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).

Other drugs may interact with emtricitabine and tenofovir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.