Emtricitabine + Tenofovir alafenamide is a combination of anti-retroviral drug. Emtricitabine belongs to the class of medication called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), and Tenofovir alafenamide belongs to the class called nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI). FDA approved it initially in September 2015 for its medical use.

Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide is used in combination with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and who weigh at least 35kg. They work by slowing the spread of HIV in the body.

It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide based on the disease condition and other factors such as body weight and age. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time, with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with a glass of water. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet, you can split it in half after consulting with your doctor.

Common side effects of Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide are nausea and vomiting. Other serious side effects are hepatitis B reactivation, decreased bone mineral density, increased risk of fractures, and acute renal failure.

Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide is intended to cause severe liver damage. Inform your doctor if you have or suffer from any liver problems, including hepatitis infection. In the long term, this medicine may cause the symptoms of lactic acidosis. Severe renal impairment has occurred in patients consuming this medicine. It is important to monitor all the parameters.

Do not take Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide if you are allergic to Emtricitabine, Tenofovir alafenamide or any of the other ingredients. Get tested for HIV infection regularly while using this medicine. Do not miss any doses of this medicine or stop taking it. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV infection. This medicine does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Inform your physician if you have liver problems or suffer from liver disease, including hepatitis, kidney problems, and bone problems. Do not give this medicine to children aged 11 years or under. 

Inform your healthcare provider about all your medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide and reduce their effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. 

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Emtricitabine+Tenofovir alafenamide is used with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment. Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine briefly, the virus may become harder to treat. Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medicine with food to decrease nausea and vomiting. Do not skip the medicine or change the dose without consulting the doctor. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

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2. Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide - Patient | NIH. clinicalinfo.hiv.gov. Published February 27, 2023. Accessed May 20, 2023. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/drugs/emtricitabine-tenofovir-alafenamide/patient#dr1
3. KD Tripathi, Antiviral Drugs (Anti-retrovirus), Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 860-872.
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The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.