Truvada

Please read this factsheet together with the patient information leaflet carefully before taking your medicine. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Truvada is a preparation that contains both tenofovir and emtricitabine (FTC) in one tablet.

Tenofovir, belongs to a class of drugs called nucleotide analogues or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, emtricitabine belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside analogues or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Nucleoside analogues are used for the treatment of HIV infection, in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Please speak to your clinic doctor or pharmacist if you would like more information about how these drugs work.

Before taking Truvada
Tell your doctor about:

* All other drugs that you are taking, including any that you buy over the counter in a community pharmacy and herbal medicines;
* Any previous allergy to any other medicines;
* If you have ever had any liver or kidney disease;
* If you have ever had any bone disease;
* If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant;

Taking your Truvada

* Truvada is a blue capsule shaped tablet debossed with 701 on one side and “Gilead” on the other;
* It is a fixed dose combination containing tenofovir 245mg and emtricitabine 200mg;
* The recommended dose is one tablet daily. Try to take the dose as close as possible to twenty four hours apart and at the same time each day;
* It is recommended that Truvada should be taken with food or a light snack to improve the absorption of the tenofovir from the combination tablet;
* Truvada works better if there is a constant amount in your bloodstream. It is therefore very important to take the tablets regularly. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose anyway, forget about the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the next dose;

N.B.: Please do not run out of truvada. If you are going on holiday and need extra supplies - tell your doctor. When receiving your supply from pharmacy, ensure that you have an adequate supply to last until your next appointment.

Other drugs and Truvada
There are some cautions and contra-indications to the individual components of Truvada:

* Tenofovir
Tenofovir should be used cautiously with any drugs that can be renally toxic (cause kidney problems). Tenofovir can lead to increased blood levels of didanosine. If you are also taking didanosine, after consultation with your clinic doctor, the dose of didanosine may be lowered to 250mg (or 200mg depending on your weight). We recommend that if you are prescribed didanosine, you take the didanosine and tenofovir together, with some food.
* Emtricitabine
Emtricitabine should not be taken in combination with lamivudine (3TC).;

Lactic acidosis has been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues. Your doctor will monitor lactate levels, but inform your doctor if you have the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, rapid, deep breathing or muscle weakness.

If you experience any of the side effects above or any new symptoms after you start Truvada, tell your doctor who will tell you what to do. If you decide to stop taking Truvada, it is important that you tell your doctor so that they can discuss other treatment options with you.

Admission to hospital
If you are admitted to hospital please bring all your medicines with you. This is especially important for anti-HIV drugs, as they have to be taken regularly. Thomas Macaulay Ward now operates a self medication programme. Some patients are able to self administer their own medicines to enable them to stick to the routine they have been used to at home

Storing Truvada
Truvada tablets should be stored at room temperature and be kept in the original container.