Generic Name: tenofovir (ten OF oh vir)
Brand Names: Viread
What is tenofovir?
Tenofovir is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.
Tenofovir is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Tenofovir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Tenofovir is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B.
Tenofovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about tenofovir?
Do not take other medicines that also contain tenofovir (such as Truvada). Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking tenofovir. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired. Tenofovir can also cause severe or fatal liver problems. Symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using tenofovir. Visit your doctor regularly.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tenofovir?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine containing tenofovir, including Truvada.
You should not take tenofovir if you are also taking Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) or adefovir (Hepsera).
To make sure you can safely take tenofovir, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- liver disease (including hepatitis B);
- kidney disease; or
bone problems (such as osteopenia).
Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking tenofovir. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk. Tenofovir can also cause severe or fatal liver problems. Symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of tenofovir on the baby.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk. Tenofovir should not be given to a child unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
How should I take tenofovir?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take tenofovir with a full glass of water.
Tenofovir can be taken with or without food.
Use tenofovir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver and kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using tenofovir. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and direct light.
See also: Tenofovir dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking tenofovir?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Tenofovir side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This medication may cause lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
kidney problems - increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, weakness, constipation, urinating less than usual or not at all;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
any other signs of new infection.
Less serious side effects may include:
sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
depression, headache, dizziness;
diarrhea, bloating, gas;
muscle or joint pain;
skin rash; or
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).
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.
Tenofovir Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection:
300 mg orally once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Hepatitis B:
300 mg orally once a day
The optimum duration of treatment is not known.
Usual Adult Dose for Nonoccupational Exposure:
300 mg orally once a day plus efavirenz plus (emtricitabine or lamivudine)
Prophylaxis should be initiated as soon as possible, within 72 hours of exposure.
Duration: 28 days
Usual Pediatric Dose for HIV Infection:
12 years or older with body weight 35 kg or more: 300 mg orally once a day
What other drugs will affect tenofovir?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet);
pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam);
tacrolimus (Prograf);
antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);
antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), cidofovir (Vistide), foscarnet (Foscavir), ganciclovir (Cytovene), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or valganciclovir (Valcyte);
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others;
cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid); or
other HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), didanosine (Videx), lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with tenofovir. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
More tenofovir resources
- Tenofovir Side Effects (in more detail)
- Tenofovir Dosage
- Tenofovir Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Tenofovir Drug Interactions
- Tenofovir Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Tenofovir - Add your own review/rating
- tenofovir Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Tenofovir MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Viread Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Viread Consumer Overview
Compare tenofovir with other medications
- Hepatitis B
- HIV Infection
- Nonoccupational Exposure
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about tenofovir.
See also: tenofovir side effects (in more detail)
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