Emtricitabine (FTC)

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

Emtricitabine, also known as Emtriva® or FTC, belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside analogues or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). NRTIs are used in 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 emtricitabine
Tell your doctor about:

* All other drugs that you are taking, including any that you buy over the counter in a community pharmacy, herbal medicines and recreational drugs.
* Previous allergy to any medicines.
* If you have ever had any kidney disease.
* If you have ever had any liver disease.

Taking your emtricitabine

* Emtricitabine is available as a blue and white capsule containing 200mg emtricitabine and a liquid containing 10mg emtricitabine per ml.
* The recommended dose is 200mg (one capsule) once a day. If you are taking the liquid formulation the dose is 240mg (20mls) once a day, this is because the liquid form is not absorbed from the stomach as well as the capsule.
* There is no effect of food upon absorption, therefore you can take emtricitabine before, with or after food.
* Emtricitabine works best if there is a constant amount in your bloodstream. It is therefore very important to take the doses regularly. Try taking the dose as close as possible to twenty four hours apart, at the same time each day. If you forget a dose take it as soon as you remember, but do not double up the next dose.

Do not run out of emtricitabine. If you are going on holiday and need additional supplies, tell your doctor. When receiving a supply from pharmacy, ensure that you have an adequate supply to last until your next appointment.

Other Drugs and emtricitabine
Lamivudine (3TC) should not be used in combination with emtricitabine.

Side Effects
Emtricitabine, like all other medicines has some side effects. The most important ones are:

* Nausea and vomiting;
* Diarrhoea;
* Fatigue (tiredness);
* Headache;
* Rash or changes in skin colour;
* Dizziness;
* Insomnia;

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

If you experience any of these side effects or any other new symptoms after you start emtricitabine, tell your doctor who will advise you what to do. If you decide to stop taking emtricitabine it is important that you tell your doctor so that he or she 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 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 your emtricitabine
Emtricitabine should be stored at room temperature.