What Is Emtricitabine/Tenofovir (Generic Truvada) Treatment?
Emtricitabine/Tenofovir (Generic Truvada) tablets are a medicine designed for people who are HIV-negative but are at high risk of exposure to HIV. If you have a HIV-positive partner, you’re unaware of the HIV status of your sexual partners, or you’re at risk of HIV for any other reason, this product can help you to keep your HIV status negative.

How Emtricitabine/Tenofovir (Generic Truvada) Treatment Works
Emtricitabine/Tenofovir tablets are a type of PrEP that uses the active ingredients emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil, which are antiretroviral drugs. These ingredients work together to prevent HIV by blocking an enzyme that the HIV virus needs to reproduce. This helps to keep it from spreading and offers you protection if you’re exposed to HIV through sex, injections, or other methods of transmission.

Directions
Always take Emtricitabine/Tenofovir tablets exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. The recommended dose is:

• To manage HIV:

  • Adults: 1 tablet each day, where possible, with food

  • Children aged between 12 to 18 years old who weigh at least 35kg: 1 tablet each day, where possible, with food

• To reduce the risk of getting HIV:

  • Adults: 1 tablet each day, where possible, with food

  • Children aged between 12 to 18 years old who weigh at least 35kg: 1 tablet each day, where possible, with food
    Unfortunately, we are unable to prescribe this medication to anyone under the age of 18 years old.

On-demand Dosing
On-demand dosing is when you start taking the medication to prepare for a time when you know you will be at high risk. Some people won't take it all the time, just when they are going on holiday or to a social event. Emtricitabine/Tenofovir takes a week to become effective in your system. You must take the tablets for 7 days before they work. You will then need to continue taking the tablets until you no longer need protection and for a further 7 days after that.

What Are The Side Effects?
Like all medicines, Emtricitabine/Tenofovir may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects may include:

• Diarrhoea

• Being sick/feeling sick

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• Rashes

• Feeling weak
  If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

What Are The Serious Side Effects?
Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness. If you experience any of the following side effects, you must stop taking this medication and seek medical advice immediately:

• Deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, feeling sick or being sick and stomach pain

• Any signs of inflammation or infection

• Muscle weakness, weakness in the hands and feet that moves up your body, palpitations, tremors and hyperactivity

Warnings
Emtricitabine/Tenofovir may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take this product if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if:

• You have recently experienced a flu-like illness

• You are unsure whether you have HIV or you think you may have recently been infected with HIV

• You have kidney disease or other kidney problems

• You are uncertain if you have hepatitis B virus (HBV)

• You are intolerant to certain sugars

• You have osteoporosis or problems with your bones

Using or Taking Other Medicines
If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking this product. You must tell your healthcare provider if you are taking the following medication:

• Other antiviral medicines

• Aminoglycosides or vancomycin, which are used for bacterial infections

• Amphotericin B, which is used for fungal infections

• Foscarnet, cidofovir or ganciclovir, which are used for viral infections

• Interleukin-2, which is used to treat cancer

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

• Protease inhibitors, which are used to treat HIV

• Medicines to treat hepatitis C

Age Restrictions
Unfortunately, we are unable to prescribe this medication from our clinic to anyone under 18 years old.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication should not be taken during pregnancy unless you have been told to take it by your doctor. You should not breastfeed while taking this product, as the active ingredients can pass into your milk and to your baby. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you must ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any new medicine.

Driving and Operating Machinery
Emtricitabine/Tenofovir may cause you to feel dizzy. If you are affected, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel safe enough to do so.

Storage Information
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Important Information
This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children. Please read the included leaflet carefully before taking this product. Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.