Emtricitabine works in combination with other medications to treat HIV. This condition slowly weakens your immune system until you are unable to fight off minor illnesses. Emtricitabine comes in a capsule form that you can take by mouth with a glass of water.
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EMTRICITABINE (em tri SIT uh bean) helps manage the symptoms of HIV infection. It works by limiting the spread of HIV in the body. This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and it may still be possible to spread HIV to others while taking it. It does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Emtriva
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medication by mouth with water. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed on the prescription label. Do not skip doses. Skipping doses can make the HIV virus resistant to this and other medications. Keep taking this therapy unless your care team tells you to stop.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 3 months old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your care team. You will need to have important blood work done while taking this medication.
HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your care team about how to stop the spread of HIV.
If you have hepatitis B and HIV, talk to your care team if you plan to stop this medication. The symptoms of hepatitis B may get worse if you stop this medication.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer wanted or have expired:
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.