Tenofovir

GENERIC NAME: TENOFOVIR - ORAL (te-NOE-fo-veer)

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: certain other HIV medicines (e.g., didanosine), other antiviral medicines (e.g., acyclovir, cidofovir, ganciclovir, lamivudine and abacavir). Also report the use of other drugs which might be potentially toxic to the kidney such as: aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin, amikacin), amphotericin B, cyclosporine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDS (e.g., ibuprofen), tacrolimus, vancomycin. Tenofovir can decrease the effectiveness of atazanavir (by decreased blood levels) when the two drugs are given in combination. This can result in a worsening of your condition. According to the manufacturer, adding ritonavir to the combination of atazanavir and tenofovir may be a treatment option. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

USES
Tenofovir is used in combination with other medications to treat HIV infection, especially HIV that may appear to be developing resistance to other medications. It works by affecting the enzyme needed by HIV to spread to other cells of the body. Tenofovir is not a cure for HIV and does not prevent the passing of HIV to others. One group of HIV medications (the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs such as zidovudine and lamivudine) are very useful. However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

HOW TO USE
Take this medication by mouth usually once daily with a meal; or take as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Tenofovir may be prescribed along with other HIV medications. If you are also prescribed didanosine, take your tenofovir 2 hours before or 1 hour after your didanosine to decrease your risk of drug interactions. It is very important to continue taking this medication and other anti-HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV-related medicine) even for a brief time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping doses or changing your dose without approval may cause the amount of virus to increase, may make the virus more difficult to treat, or may cause side effects to worsen.

SIDE EFFECTS
See also Warning section. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, stomach upset, sweating, muscle pain, or gas may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: loss of appetite, depression, chest pain, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, change in the amount of urine, unusual weight loss, unusual tiredness or weakness. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is within 2 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. It is important not to miss doses of this drug.

STORAGE
Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.

PRECAUTIONS
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, liver disease, bone problems, any allergies. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Because breast-milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.

WARNING
Rarely, this medication may cause severe (sometimes fatal) liver and blood disorders (e.g., lactic acidosis, hepatomegaly) when used alone or with other HIV medications. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, rapid/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness, or muscle aches.

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.