Tenofovir

Generic name: Tenofovir
Drug class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Usage of Tenofovir

Tenofovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Tenofovir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Tenofovir is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B.

Tenofovir is for use in adults and children at least 2 years old and weighing at least 22 pounds (10 kilograms).

Tenofovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Tenofovir side effects

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

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, fast/slow or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Tenofovir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or unusual bleeding;

kidney problems--little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or

liver problems--swelling around your midsection, upper stomach pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Tenofovir can affect your immune system (even weeks or months after you've used tenofovir). Tell your doctor if you have:

signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;

trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or

swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects of tenofovir may include:

stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

fever, pain;

weakness, dizziness;

headache;

depressed mood;

itching, rash; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Tenofovir

You should not take tenofovir if you are allergic to it.

Do not take tenofovir together with adefovir (Hepsera), or with combination medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Complera, Descovy, Genvoya, Odefsey, Stribild, Symfi, or Truvada).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease (especially hepatitis B if you also have HIV);

HIV (if you are taking tenofovir to treat hepatitis B);

kidney disease; or

low bone mineral density.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Ask your doctor about your risk.

To prevent HIV in a newborn baby, use all medications to control your infection during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry.

Women with HIV should not breastfeed. The virus can pass to your baby in your breast milk.

Relate drugs

How to use Tenofovir

Before you start treatment with tenofovir, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have HIV (if you are being treated for hepatitis B) or hepatitis B (if you are being treated for HIV).

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take tenofovir at the same time each day.

Some forms of tenofovir should be taken with food. Carefully follow all instructions on your medicine label.

Tenofovir oral powder should be mixed with soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or baby food. Do not mix the oral powder with liquid.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Tell your doctor if you or your the child taking tenofovir has trouble swallowing a tablet.

Doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

You will need medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed. Do not change your dose or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice. Remain under the care of a doctor.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using tenofovir. You may need liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

Warnings

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using tenofovir. You may need liver function tests for several months.

Do not change your dose or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice.

What other drugs will affect Tenofovir

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tenofovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Many drugs can affect tenofovir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.