Truvada (Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate)

Truvada (Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) Medication Information:

What is Truvada?

Truvada aids in the reduction of HIV in your body, allowing your immune system to function more effectively. This reduces your risk of HIV consequences (such as new infections and cancer) while also improving your quality of life. Emtricitabine and Tenofovir are the two medications that make up this product. A nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor is emtricitabine, while a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor is Tenofovir.

What are NRTIs and how does it work?

NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) stop reverse transcriptase from working (an HIV enzyme). HIV converts its RNA into DNA via reverse transcriptase (reverse transcription). HIV replication is stopped by inhibiting reverse transcriptase and reverse transcription.

Uses and Benefits of Truvada:

• Infection with HIV-1 (HIV-1) and Its Treatment: Truvada is authorized for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and children patients weighing at least 17 kg in conjunction with other antiretroviral medicines.
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-1 (PrEP): Truvada is approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in at-risk adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg to lower the risk of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection. Prior to starting Truvada for HIV-1 PrEP, individuals must have a negative HIV-1 test.

Dosage and Directions:

Truvada is a fixed-dose combination medication that contains the drugs Emtricitabine (FTC) and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF). Truvada is prescribed once daily in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg, in the form of one tablet (containing 200mg FTC and 300mg TDF) given orally with or without meals.

Dosages available as:

• 200mg/245 mg
• 200mg/300mg

The dose is determined by renal function, medical condition, and treatment response. The dosage for youngsters is also determined by their weight.

Truvada Side Effects:

Diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, back discomfort, and a change in the color of the skin on palms and soles of feet are all possible side effects. As the immune system strengthens, as a result of HIV treatment, it may begin to fight off infections one already has, causing disease symptoms to resurface.

Truvada Precautions:

Informing the doctor or pharmacist if the person has ever had pancreatitis, liver problems (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis), alcohol usage, bone problems (such as bone disease, bone loss/osteoporosis, weak/broken bones), or renal disease before using this drug.

Storage:

• Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture, in the original container. Keep out of the bathroom. All drugs should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
• Unless otherwise directed, do not flush or pour drugs down the toilet or into a drain. When this product has expired or is no longer needed, properly dispose of it.

Truvada Drug Interactions:

• Adefovir, orlistat, and other medications that can affect the kidneys (such as aminoglycosides like amikacin/gentamicin) are some of the items that may interact with this drug.
• Tenofovir can reduce the efficacy of another drug called atazanavir (by decreasing blood levels).
• Check the labels on all of your HIV medications to see if they have the same or similar ingredients as this product (such as tenofovir, emtricitabine, lamivudine). Take no drugs with the same or comparable components as this product.