What is Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) for?
Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil) is an antiviral medicine. It’s used with other medicines to treat adults with HIV-1. This virus causes AIDS.
It also helps prevent HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk. This is called PrEP. It’s best used with safer sex practices like condoms. This can also protect against other STIs.
How does Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) work?
Truvada has two active substances: emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir disoproxil (300 mg, 245 mg, or other).
Inside the body, tenofovir disoproxil turns into tenofovir. Tenofovir and emtricitabine stop the virus from making more copies in infected cells.
For treating HIV-1, Truvada lowers HIV levels in the blood. It’s not a cure but helps prevent immune system damage. It also stops AIDS-related infections and diseases.
For preventing HIV-1, Truvada stops the virus from spreading in the body. This is in case of exposure to the virus.
Both substances have been approved since the early 2000s.
Where has Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) been approved?
Truvada was approved for HIV-1 treatment by:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA, August 2, 2004
- European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union, February 21, 2005
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia, September 22, 2005
About 10 years later, it was also approved for PrEP. This is to prevent HIV-1 in adults at high risk. It’s used with safer sex practices.
This medicine may be approved in other regions too. If you have questions, contact our support team.
How is Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) taken?
The FDA standard dosage is:
- For adults and kids over 35 kg: one tablet of 200 mg/300 mg once daily. This is the same as 200 mg emtricitabine/245 mg tenofovir disoproxil.
- Kids over 17 kg who can swallow a whole tablet: one low strength tablet. This is 100 mg/150 mg, 133 mg/200 mg, or 167 mg/250 mg based on weight.
The TGA standard dosage is:
- 1 tablet 200 mg emtricitabine/ 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumerate once daily (equivalent to 200 mg emtricitabine/ 245 mg tenofovir disoproxil).
The EMA standard dosage in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older is:
- 1 tablet 200 mg emtricitabine/ 245 mg tenofovir disoproxil once daily (equivalent to 200 mg emtricitabine/ 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumerate).
Warning: The kidney function should be monitored in all patients. Patients using Truvada for PrEP should be tested for HIV infection every 3 months.
Warning: Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) used for a PrEP indication must only be prescribed to individuals confirmed to be HIV-negative immediately prior to initial use and periodically during use. Drug-resistant HIV-1 variants have been identified with the use of Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) for a PrEP indication following undetected acute HIV-1 infection. Do not initiate Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) for a PrEP indication if signs or symptoms of acute HIV infection are present unless negative infection status is confirmed.
Complete information about Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil) dosage and administration can be found in the official prescribing information listed in our resources section.
Note: Please consult with your treating doctor for personalised dosing.
Are there any known side effects of Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil)?
Common side effects
The most common side effects in HIV-1 infected patients listed in the prescribing information include:
- diarrhoea
- nausea (feeling sick)
- fatigue
- headache
- dizziness
- depression
- insomnia
- abnormal dreams
- rash.
The most common side effects in HIV-1 uninfected people (PrEP) listed in the prescribing information include:
- headache
- abdominal pain
- weight decrease.
Serious side effects
The serious side effects listed in the prescribing information include:
- lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogs, including a component of Truvada
- new onset or worsening renal impairment
- decreases in bone mineral density (BMD)
- immune reconstitution syndrome.
Use in specific populations
Women infected with HIV-1 should be instructed not to breastfeed.
For a comprehensive list of side effects and adverse reactions please refer to the official prescribing information.
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