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Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir

Generic name: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir; ef-AV, em, tyre-SIZE-table, and ten-OF-oh-vir [ef-AV-ir-enz, em-tyreS]

Name of the brand: Atripla
Dosage format: oral tablet (600 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg)
Drug class: antiviral combinations

What are Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir (Atripla)?

Atripla

can be described as a combination antiviral medicine that stops the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from reproducing within your body.Atripla can be used for treating HIV, a virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Atripla is not an option to treat HIV or AIDS. Atripla is recommended for adults and children that are at least twelve years of age and weigh a minimum of 88 pounds (40 kilograms).Atripla is also used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline for medication.

Side effects of Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir

Seek medical attention immediately when you are experiencing symptoms or warning signs of an allergic response (hives, breathing problems, and swelling of your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever, sore throat, eye burning, irritation, and a red or purple skin rash that blisters as well as peeling).

The symptoms of mild lactic acidosis could get worse as time passes and could be fatal. Seek medical attention immediately in the event of: uncharacteristic muscle pain and breathing difficulties or stomach pains; vomiting; irregular heart rate; nausea; being cold; or being extremely tired or weak.Efavirenz, as well as emtricitabine and tenofovir, can result in serious adverse and negative side effects. Contact your physician immediately if you experience:

  • abnormal thoughts or behavior or thoughts; anger; extreme depression; thoughts of harming yourself or others; hallucinations;

  • a seizure (convulsions);

  • kidney issues: increased thirst and urination; muscle discomfort or weakness;

  • liver problems: swelling in the midsection area, left-sided stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, dark stools, clay-colored urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Atripla can affect the immune system and could cause some side effects (even months or even weeks after taking Efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir). Inform your physician of all medicines you are currently taking.

  • indications of a new infection: fever, night sweats, swollen glands, sores from a cold, cough, and wheezing. Diarrhea, weight loss

  • difficulty swallowing or speaking difficulties with balance, weak eye movement, or prickly sensation problems swallowing or speaking;

  • swelling in your throat or neck (enlarged thyroid) Menstrual fluctuations, impotence

Common adverse effects of efavirenz, Emtricitabine, as well as tenofovir, could be:

  • Dizziness,

  • Fatigue,

  • Nausea,

  • Diarrhea;

  • Headaches, depression, mood swings, and trouble concentrating;

  • Sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

  • It can be a rash

  • Change in the form or position of fat (especially the arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This list does not constitute an exhaustive listing of side effects; additional side effects could occur. Please consult your physician regarding medical adverse reactions and report them directly to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Similar/related drugs

Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, and Atripla

Warnings

Do not consume Atripla in conjunction with Adefovir, Atazanavir, Voriconazole, or other medications that contain emtricitabine, lamivudine, or tenofovir.Inform your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking and all the ones you will begin or stop taking. Numerous drugs interact, and certain medications should not be combined.

Atripla could cause serious or fatal liver issues. Call your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like stomach swelling or pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, or a yellowing of your eyes or skin.There is a chance that you will suffer from a condition known as lactic acidosis. It is a serious buildup of lactic acid in your blood. Contact your physician or seek emergency medical attention when you experience strange muscle pains, difficulty breathing or stomach pain, dizziness or feeling cold, or are extremely tired or weak.If you've ever suffered from hepatitis B or C, it could be active or worsen when you stop taking Atripla. You could require regular liver function tests over time.

Prior to use this drug 

You shouldn't use efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir if you are intolerant of efavirenz (Sustiva) or the drugs emtricitabine (Emtriva) and tenofovir (Viread).Do not consume Atripla along with adefovir, atazanavir, voriconazole, or any medication that contains lamivudine, emtricitabine, or tenofovir (such as Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Epivir, Epzicom, Genvoya, Odefsey, Stribild, Trizivir, Truvada, or Vemlidy).

Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from:

  • kidney or liver disease;

  • long QT syndrome;

  • mental illness, the use of antipsychotic medications, or injecting drugs;

  • epilepsy or any seizures;

  • low bone mineral density; 

  • Hepatitis B as well as C infection

It is possible to suffer from an illness called lactic acidosis. This is a risky buildup of acid in your blood. This is likely if you suffer from any other medical condition, if you've used HIV medications for a long period of time, or if you are female. Talk to your doctor about the risks.

Atripla can cause birth defects. Avoid using it if you are pregnant, and don't become pregnant for a minimum period of 12 weeks after stopping taking Atripla.

Atripla could make hormone-based contraceptives lower in effectiveness, which includes birth control pills, implants, injections, skin patches, and vaginal rings. To ensure that you are not pregnant while using Atripla, make sure you use a barrier method of birth control such as a diaphragm, condom, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.

Women suffering from HIV or AIDS are not allowed to breastfeed babies. Even if your child is born with no HIV or AIDS, the virus could be transmitted to your baby through breast milk.

How to take Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir?

Follow the directions on your prescription label, and go through all medication guides or instructions sheets. Follow the medication exactly as prescribed.

Use this medication on an empty stomach with a bottle of drinking water.

You'll require regular medical tests.This medication may alter the results of a urine test for drug screening and cause incorrect results. Inform the lab personnel that you are taking Atripla.Keep Atripla inside the container in its original packaging at room temperature, insulated from heat, moisture, and light. The bottle should be kept tightly shut when not in use.If you've experienced hepatitis B, it is possible that this virus will become active or worse within the following months after you quit taking Atripla. It is possible that you will require frequent tests for liver function while using this medication, as well as for several months after the last dose.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection:

1 tablet, orally, once a day

Utilize: as a full regimen or in conjunction with other antiretroviral drugs for treating HIV-1

Usual Adult Dose for Nonoccupational Exposure:

US CDC Recommendations: 1 tablet taken orally every day

Time of treatment The duration of therapy is 28 days.

Comments:

With expert advice, there are only alternative treatment options to treat HIV non-occupational post exposure prophylaxis (nPEP).

It is not recommended for use as an nPEP for pregnant women; it should not be used in nPEP regimens in the first trimester. It is not recommended for women with childbearing capacity who may become pregnant while taking antiretroviral treatment.

Prophylaxis should be initiated as soon as possible and within 72 hours after exposure.

The current guidelines should be read for more details.

Usual Adult Dose for Occupational Exposure:

US Public Health Service working group recommendations 1 tablet taken orally, every day

The duration of therapy is up to 28 days if the treatment is well-tolerated.

Comments:

With expert advice A different regimen can be considered for HIV prophylaxis after exposure.

The treatment should begin as soon as possible, preferably within a few hours of the exposure.

The ideal duration for prophylaxis isn't known and may vary based on the protocol of the institution.

Current guidelines should be reviewed for further details.

Usual Pediatric Dose for HIV Infection:

At least 40 kg, 1 tablet taken orally, once every day

Make use of it as a full regimen or in conjunction with other antiretroviral drugs for treating HIV-1.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Do not take the medicine for as long as you can. However, do not take your missed dose if it's nearing the time to take the next dose.Take only one dose at a time. Doing otherwise could increase the chances of overdose and cause irreparable harm.

What happens if I overdose?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency attention or contact the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms could include muscle spasms that are not controlled.

What should be avoided?

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir on you. Your reaction could be affected.The use of this medication will not hinder the spread of your disease. Don't engage in sexual activity that is not protected or share toothbrushes and razors. Discuss with your physician ways to protect yourself from HIV transmission during sexual contact. Sharing needles for medicine or drugs is not a good idea, even for a healthy individual.

Interaction with other drugs

It is sometimes not safe to take certain medicines simultaneously. Certain drugs may affect the blood levels of the other drugs that you take, which can create side effects or render the medication less effective.Atripla may cause kidney damage, particularly when you are also taking certain medications to treat cancer, osteoporosis, infections, organ transplant rejection, digestive problems, and high blood pressure or arthritis pain (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).Inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking currently. A variety of drugs can impact Atripla, particularly:

  • St. John's Wort;

  • As an antimicrobial or antifungal medication;

  • An antidepressant

  • Any other HIV medication;

    he cholesterol-lowering medication

  • Heart or blood pressure medications

  • Medicine to prevent rejection of organ transplants

  • Medication to treat hepatitis

  • Seizure medicine;

  • Tuberculosis treatment.

This is not a complete list. Numerous drugs can interact with Atripla, and certain drugs shouldn't be used simultaneously. Discuss with your physician all the medicines you are currently taking and all medicines you begin or stop taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, and herbal supplements. There are not all the interactions mentioned here.