About EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL
EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL belongs to the class of medicines called ‘antiretroviral agents’ used to treat HIV infection. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune cells of the body leading to decreased immunity. It spreads through body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. Symptoms include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, and sore throat that usually last for days to several weeks.
EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL contains Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir. Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, whereas Emtricitabine and Tenofovir are nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. They work by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme production, which the HIV-infected cells must make to make new viruses. This effect helps to inhibit viral replication.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL are dizziness, headache, diarrhea, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), rashes (red spots or blotches sometimes with blistering and swelling of the skin), and feeling weak. These side-effects usually resolve without requiring any medical attention. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL if you are allergic to any contents of it. Do not take EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL if you have severe liver disease, moderate to severe kidney disease, heart condition such as prolongation of the QT interval, which increases the risk of severe heart rhythm problems, family history of heart problems, and low electrolyte levels. It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It should be used with caution in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and elderly people. Consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of side effects. EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Uses of EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL
HIV infection
Medicinal Benefits
EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL belongs to the group of medicines called antiretroviral therapy (ART). EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) and contains Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir. FDC helps decrease drug resistance (reducing medication effectiveness) as the HIV virus can easily develop drug resistance. EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL helps reduce the symptoms, control the infection, and prevent opportunistic infections effectively. It further helps in improving the quality of life of a patient with HIV.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Rashes (red spots or blotches sometimes with blistering and swelling of the skin)
- Feeling weak
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping, abnormal dreams, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness
- Feeling worried or depressed
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL may affect kidney function, so it is advised to monitor kidney function while using this medicine. EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should be used with caution in patients with mental illness, fits, liver diseases, EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL may decrease phosphate levels in the blood. It may also increase creatine kinase (CK) levels (high CK levels indicate muscle being destroyed) in the blood resulting in muscle pain and weakness. EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL show signs of infection or inflammation from the previous infection when the treatment has started in some patients with advanced HIV infection and history of opportunistic infection. So, if you notice any signs of infection, inform your doctor immediately. Autoimmune diseases (immune cells attack healthy body tissue) may occur months after the start of the treatment. Inform your doctor if you notice any signs such as muscle weakness, weakness in the hands and the feet, palpitations (pounding heart), and tremors. EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL may cause osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue due to a decrease in blood supply to the bone) in some patients. The risk of this disease depends on factors such as length of antiretroviral therapy, alcohol use, steroid use, body mass index (BMI), and immunity. Inform your doctor if you notice joint pain, stiffness, and difficulty in movement, as these symptoms may indicate osteonecrosis.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should not be taken along with antiallergic medicines (astemizole and terfenadine), a medicine used to treat heart disease (bepridil), a medicine used to treat heartburn (cisapride), medicines used to treat hepatitis C (elbasvir+grazoprevir), medicines used to treat migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, and ergonovine, etc.), medicines used to treat mental illnesses (pimozide, imipramine, amitryptiline, and clomipramine, etc.), herbal medicine to treat depression (Hypericum perforatum), anti-fungal agent (voriconazole), medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats (flecainide and metoprolol), antibiotic (imidazole), macrolide and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, antimalarial agents, and opioid pain killer (methadone).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should not be used in patients with severe liver disease, moderate to severe kidney disease, heart condition such as prolongation of the QT interval, which increases the risk of severe heart rhythm problems, and low electrolyte levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol may increase the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionEFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should be used with caution in pregnant women. It is given only if clinically needed and when benefits outweigh the risk.
Breast Feeding
cautionEFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. If EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL is prescribed during breastfeeding, the doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding as this medicine can pass into breastmilk.
Driving
cautionEFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionEFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should not be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. In mild to moderate conditions, the dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionEFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should not be used in patients with moderate to severe kidney diseases as this medicine may affect kidney function. In mild conditions, the dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeEFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Eat vitamin and nutrient-rich food such as dark-green, yellow, orange, and red vegetables and fruit as it helps to boost your immune system. Option for lean protein and whole grains.
- Avoid eating raw meat and eggs. Consume properly boiled and cooked meat, poultry, or seafood.
- Eat bland and low-fat foods and avoid spicy or oily foods if you experience nausea or vomiting.
- Try to reduce emotional and physical stress by spending time with family or whatever makes you happy.
- Drink more fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration.
- Wash your hands properly before and after eating.
- Make sure you sleep at least 8 hours a day.
Special Advise
- EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with HIV infection or AIDS. So, people taking EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL should be carefully monitored throughout the treatment.
- You can still infect other people while taking EFAVIRENZ+EMTRICITABINE+TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL. So, use necessary precautions to avoid infecting others.
- Do not stop taking the medicine unless advised by the doctor. This is because the virus gets multiplied and it gets harder to treat if you stop taking the medicine even for a short time.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
HIV infection: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, making the individual susceptible to other infections or illnesses. People with HIV experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, and sore throat. These symptoms usually last for days to several weeks. It spreads through body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. If left untreated, this condition can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It is a life-long condition, and there is no definite cure for it. However, it can be controlled by treating with antiretroviral agents.
