Viread (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate)

Viread (Tenofovir) Medication Information:

What is Viread?

Viread is a prescription medication used for the treatment of chronic viral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Viread is an antiretroviral drug and contains the active ingredient tenofovir. The medication prevents the viruses from producing new viruses and reduces the amount of virus in the patient. It helps to minimize the complications and severity of infections and improve patients' lifespan.

Benefits and Uses of Viread:

• Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1): Viread is always prescribed along with other anti-HIV medicines for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. But it can not cure HIV infection or AIDS.
• Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection: Viread is also used to treat patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. It reduces the amount of hepatitis B in the patients and also improves the liver condition. Viread is approved for use in adults and children two years of age and older weighing at least 10 kg.

Side Effects of Viread:

Patients taking Viread may experience some common side effects, including:

• Stomach pain, Diarrhea.
• Nausea, Vomiting.
• Rash, Itching.
• Headache, Dizziness.
• Depression, Sleeping problems.
• Weakness, Fever

Viread may also cause severe side effects, including:

• Kidney problems.
• Changes in the immune system.
• Bone problems such as bone pain and thinning of bones, leading to fractures.
• Lactic acidosis: Too much lactic acid in your blood can cause symptoms such as weakness, unusual muscle pain, breathing difficulties, cold or blue hands and feet, and abnormal heartbeat.
• Liver problems can be identified with symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or the white part of the eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, and loss of appetite.

How to take Viread?

Viread is available as tablets in different strengths: 150mg, 200mg, 250mg, and 300mg. The tablet is taken orally once a day with or without food as recommended by your doctor. The doctor will prescribe the correct dose of the medicine based on the patient's body weight.

The recommended dosage of Viread is:

• One 150mg tablet once daily for patients weighing 17 kg to 22 kg.
• One 200mg tablet once daily for patients weighing 22 kg to 28 kg.
• One 250mg tablet once daily for patients weighing 28 kg to 35 kg.
• One 300mg tablet once daily for patients weighing at least 35 kg.

Patients who can not swallow the tablets may take Viread oral powder. Take the correct dose of the powder by mixing it with 2 to 4 ounces of soft food such as applesauce or yogurt. Do not take the powder in a liquid.

Viread Drug Interactions:

Taking Viread with other drugs may lead to drug interactions that affect the efficacy of the medicine or cause significant adverse reactions.

Before you start taking Viread, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are using, especially:

• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as didanosine.
• HIV-1 Protease Inhibitors: atazanavir, lopinavir, and ritonavir.
• Hepatitis C drugs such as Epclusa and Harvoni.
• Hepatitis B drugs such as Hepsera.
• Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, cidofovir, and ganciclovir.

Safety Information:

• Do not run out of medication or stop taking medicine as your condition may get worse.
• Tell your doctor if you have unusual symptoms after you stop taking Viread.
• Before you take Viread, tell your doctor if you have had liver problems, HBV infection, kidney problems, bone problems, and HIV infection.
• Talk to your doctor about the safety and risk of the medicine if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• HIV-1 infected mothers should not breastfeed their babies.

References:

• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-22106-6330/viread-oral/tenofovir-oral/details
• https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/viread/viread_patient_pi.pdf
• https://www.rxlist.com/viread-drug.htm