Tenofovir is a medication that helps treat hepatitis B and HIV. Hepatitis B infects your liver, causing inflammation. HIV weakens your immune system by destroying your T-cells. This medication comes as a powder that you measure and mix with food.
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TENOFOVIR (te NOE fo veer) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat hepatitis B virus and HIV. This medicine is not a cure for hepatitis B or HIV. This medicine can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading hepatitis B or HIV to others.
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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): Viread
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked scoop that comes with your medicine to measure each dose. Mix the dose in a small amount of soft food and take it right away. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your treatment to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years 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.
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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.
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
adefovir
certain antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS like emtricitabine; tenofovir or emtricitabine; rilpivirine; tenofovir or efavirenz; emtricitabine; tenofovir or cobicistat; elvitegravir; emtricitabine; tenofovir
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
atazanavir
didanosine, ddI
lopinavir; ritonavir
medicines for viral infections like cidofovir, acyclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir
saquinavir
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 doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.
Hepatitis B and HIV are spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of hepatitis B and HIV.
If you have hepatitis B, talk to your doctor if you plan to stop this medicine. The symptoms of hepatitis B may get worse if you stop this medicine.
Using this medicine for a long time may increase your risk of low bone mass. Talk to your doctor about bone health.
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
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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.
Store at room temperature between 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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.