What is Emtricitabine?
Emtricitabine is an antiviral medication that prevents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from growing in your body.Emtricitabine is a treatment for HIV, a virus that can trigger acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Emtricitabine is not an effective treatment to treat HIV and AIDS.Emtricitabine can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this medication guide.
Side effects of Emtricitabine
Contact a medical professional immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms or warning signs of an allergic response, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.The early signs of acidosis could get worse with time, and it can cause death. Take immediate medical assistance in the event that you are experiencing even minor symptoms such as muscle tenderness or weakness, as well as feeling numb or cold sensations in your legs and arms and stomach symptoms, nausea with vomiting and a rapid or irregular pulse, sickness, or feeling exhausted or weak.Contact your physician immediately for immediate treatment if you experience indications of liver issues: swelling around your midsection, stomach nausea, pain or loss of appetite, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).Emtricitabine can increase the chances of contracting certain diseases or an autoimmune disorder by altering the ways your immune system functions. It is possible that symptoms will develop in the weeks or months following the first time you begin treatment with emtricitabine. Inform your doctor whether you suffer from:
- Indications of recent symptoms of a newly discovered infection Symptoms of a new infection include fever, night sweats, mouth sores, swelling of the glands, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and weight loss.
- Chest pain in the chest (especially during breathing) Dry chest pain (especially when breathing), dry cough, wheezing, or feeling breathless
- Cold sores and sores on your anal or genital area;
- Fast heart rate, anxiety or irritation, and a prickly or weak feeling; problems with balanced eye movements;
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking trouble swallowing or speaking; back pain in the lower back; loss of control over the bowels or bladders; problems swallowing or speaking; or
- Swelling in your throat or neck (enlarged thyroid) Menstrual irregularities, impotence, and losing interest in sex
Common side effects of emtricitabine include:
- Headache, dizziness, weakness;
- Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- Sleep problems, strange dreams;
- Rash, skin discoloration,
- Change in the form or position of fat (especially on your legs, arms, face, and neck), the breasts, your waist, and your neck.
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects.Please call 1-800-FDA-1088 if any adverse reactions arise, to report it directly to FDA.
Similar/related drugs
Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Lamivudine, Zidovudine, and Atripla
Warnings
Don't take Emtriva if you also take other medications that contain lamivudine and emtricitabine.Emtricitabine could cause a fatal condition known as lac acidosis. Get emergency medical assistance if you are experiencing even the smallest of symptoms, like muscles aching or weakening, numbness, or cold sensations in your legs and arms, or chest nausea and vomiting, a fast or irregular pulse, dizziness, or feeling extremely exhausted or weak.If you have hepatitis B, taking emtricitabine may lead to liver symptoms months or years later after stopping.
Before you take this drug
It is best not to take emtricitabine when you are allergic to it.Don't take Emtriva if you also take other medications that contain emtricitabine and lamivudine (such as Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Dutrebis, Epivir, Epzicom, Genvoya, Odefsey, Stribild, Triumeq, and Trizivir).
To ensure that emtricitabine is suitable for you, ask your physician if you've ever taken:
- Liver disease (especially Hepatitis B) or
kidney disease.
Certain people who take this medication are diagnosed with a serious disease called lac acidosis. This may be more prevalent in women, among those who are obese or suffer from liver diseases, as well as in those who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a prolonged period of time. Consult your physician about the risks.HIV is a virus that can infect your baby if not treated properly during your pregnancy. Use all of your HIV medication according to the directions for controlling your HIV infection.If you're pregnant, then your name might be added to a registry of pregnancies. This will allow you to monitor the results of your pregnancy and assess any adverse effects that emtricitabine may have on the baby.Women who have HIV or AIDS shouldn't breastfeed babies. Even if the baby is born with no HIV or AIDS, the virus could be passed on to the child through breast milk.
Emtricitabine is not recommended for use by anyone younger than 3 months.
How to take Emtricitabine?
Follow the instructions on the prescription label. Don't take this medication in greater or lesser quantities or for longer than prescribed.Emtricitabine can be consumed without or with food.Take measurements of liquid medicines using the dosing syringe that comes with it, or use a measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you don't own a device for measuring doses, you can ask your pharmacist for one.If your child is taking this medication, tell your physician if your child's weight has changed or if there are any weight changes. Emtricitabine doses are determined by weight gain in children. Any changes could affect your child's dosage.Do not use emtricitabine alone as your primary HIV treatment. HIV/AIDS is usually treated by combining medications. Follow all medications as prescribed by your physician. Review the medication guidelines or patient's instructions that come with every medication. Don't alter the dosages or your medication schedule without consulting your physician. Anyone suffering from HIV or AIDS must be under the supervision of a physician.
When you are taking emtricitabine, it is possible that you might require regular blood tests. Your liver and kidney functioning may also have to be assessed.Refill your prescription prior to the time you are out of medicine. The disease could become resistant to emtricitabine if it is stopped, even for a brief period of time.Keep capsules at room temperature, far from heat, humidity, and sunlight.Keep fluid inside the refrigerator. Don't freeze it.Emtricitabine liquid stored at room temperature should be used within three months.If you suffer from hepatitis B, you could experience liver-related symptoms after stopping this medication, sometimes for several months after having stopped. Your physician may examine your liver function for a number of months after stopping the drug emtricitabine.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You should take the missed dose as soon as you can remember. Avoid your missed dosage if you are nearing the time for the next dose. Do not double up on medicine to make up for what was missed.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
The medication you take will not hinder you from transmitting HIV to others. Don't engage in sexual activity that is not protected or share toothbrushes and razors. Discuss with your physician safe methods to avoid HIV transmission through sex. Sharing needles with medicine or drugs is not safe, even for healthy people.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs can interfere with emtricitabine. These include both prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Discuss with your doctor the medications you currently use and any medication you begin or stop taking.
