Truvada

What you should know before using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of emtricitabine and tenofovir combination in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Elderly patients are more likely to have other medical problems and they may need to take a lower dose than some younger adults.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atazanavir
• Didanosine

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection—Emtricitabine and tenofovir combination is not used to treat patients with hepatitis B virus infection. You may receive emtricitabine and tenofovir combination to treat your HIV infection even if you also have hepatitis B virus infection. Your doctor will want to follow you closely for several months and do regular medical exams once you stop taking emtricitabine and tenofovir combination.

• Kidney problems or
• Risk factors for kidney disease—Your doctor may want to lower your dose if you have kidney problems or are at risk for having kidney problems.

• Liver disease or
• Risk factors for liver disease or
• Obesity (being overweight)—This medicine may make liver disease worse in patients with liver disease, obesity and other HIV medicine use.