Descovy

What is Descovy?

Descovy, an antiviral mixture medicine, is used in combination with other HIV medications to treat HIV (human immune deficiency). HIV can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Descovy does not cure HIV or AIDS. Descovy can also be used to prevent HIV infection in adults and adolescents by using pre-exposure prophylaxis. Use Descovy in conjunction with safer sexual practices to reduce your risk of HIV infection. This medicine can only be used by adults who are HIV-negative. There are several emtricitabine and tenofovir brands available. Your doctor will decide which brand is best for you depending on your weight, age, and other factors.

Side effects of Descovy

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue, seek emergency medical attention.

Even weeks or even months after using this medication, emtricitabine can have an impact on your immune system. Tell your doctor about:

• Signs of an infection: fever, sweating at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores, and other symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or diarrhea;
• Problems with balance, eye movements, or speech, or even a prickly sensation;
• Impotence, menstrual changes, swelling of the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)

The mild symptoms of lactic acidosis can worsen over time. This condition is fatal. If you experience: unusual muscular pain; stomach pain; nausea; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeats; or dizziness,

Call your doctor immediately if you:

• Symptoms of HIV infection: fever, night sweats and fatigue; pain in the muscles or joints; sore throat; vomiting; diarrhea; rash.
• Sudden or unusual bone pain
• Kidney problems: swelling, feeling tired, short of breath, or urinating less;
• Liver problem: swelling in the midsection area, upper right stomach pain, lack of appetite, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stool, Jaundice: yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Some of the common side effects of Descovy include:

• Headache; feeling tired, depressed, or dizzy?
• Sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
• Diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain;
• Weight loss;
• Rash.

There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for additional reporting purposes contact 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Warnings

Avoid taking Descovy with other medications that contain emtricitabine or other drugs containing tenofovir. You could develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in your blood. If you experience unusual pain in your muscles, difficulty breathing, stomach pains, dizziness, or feel cold or very tired, call your doctor. Descovy may cause your hepatitis C to become active or worsen if you have ever had it. You may require frequent liver function testing for several months.

Before you take this drug

Do Not Use Descovy PrEP If You Are HIV Positive or Have Not Confirmed Your HIV Negative Status

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Descovy will be safe for you:

• Flu-like symptoms;
• If you are sexually active,
• You may have been infected with hiv within the last month.
• Recently tested for other sexually transmissible diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea.
• Bone problems, low bone mineral density;
• Hepatitis b: you may need to be tested for this disease before using the medicine.
• liver disease
• Kidney disease (or dialysis)

You could develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous accumulation of lactic acids in your blood. Consult your doctor to determine your risk.Inform your physician immediately if you are expecting, planning, or pregnant. Use all medications to control your infection while pregnant in order to prevent HIV from affecting a newborn. You may have your name listed on a registry of antiviral pregnant women. Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV. Breast milk can transmit the virus to your child. Discover pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings.

How to take Descovy?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instructions sheets. Take this medication after dialysis if you are on dialysis. All HIV medications should be taken as prescribed. You should not alter your dosage, skip a dose, or stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor. Continue to be under the doctor's care.Changes to brand, strength or form of medication could alter dose requirements significantly. Use the medication exactly as directed by your doctor or on the label.

You will not be protected from HIV infection by Descovy alone. You should also practice safer sex and be tested for HIV at least every three months before you start the prophylaxis. You may get hepatitis B again, or it could worsen after stopping this medication. Before starting the medicine, you may need to have frequent blood tests done to monitor your liver function. You will also require other medical tests for a few months after stopping. You should also have your kidney function and medical tests checked frequently while taking this medication. Weight is taken into account when determining the dose.  Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight. Store tightly sealed in the original container, at room temperature, and away from moisture.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Do not take two doses at once. Never take two doses of the same medication at once. If you skip doses, the virus could become resistant to your medication, or you may increase your chances of contracting HIV. Refill your prescription before you run out.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

This medicine does not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Consult your doctor about how to avoid HIV transmission while sexing. It is not safe to share syringes or needles for drugs or medicines.

Interaction with other drug

Sometimes taking multiple medications simultaneously is unsafe; certain drugs could interfere with each other and alter blood levels to produce unwanted side effects or render less-effective medications less useful than originally planned.Emtricitabine, tenofovir, and other drugs can damage your kidneys. This is especially true if you are also taking certain medications for cancer, infection, osteoporosis, organ rejection, high blood pressure, pain, arthritis, or even to treat infections.

Do not fail to inform your physician of any medications you are currently taking, including:

• Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital;
• Other antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis c and hiv

This list does not include all possible interactions. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal productsThis list does not encompass all potential drug interactions.

Active Ingredient: Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alanafenamide
Inactive Ingredients: Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate, and Microcrystalline Cellulose The 200 mg and 25 mg tablets are coated with a film containing polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl ethanol, talc, and titanium dioxide. The 120 mg and 15 mg tablets are coated with a film containing titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and polyvinyl alcohol.