Emtricitabine
Description
Emtricitabine is an antiviral medicine used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It only prevents the virus from multiplying in your body. Monitoring of liver and kidney function may be necessary while receiving this medicine based on the clinical condition.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Emtricitabine
- Chest pain
- Cough or hoarseness
- Fever or chills
- Painful or burning urination
- Pale skin
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion
- Depression
- Joint pain
Uses of Emtricitabine
What is it prescribed for?
- HIV infection
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to emtricitabine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Immune reconstitution syndrome
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Immune reconstitution syndrome. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Fat redistribution
This medicine may cause fat gain or fat loss from the body. This may result in peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and Cushingoid appearance. Close monitoring of body weight and body fat distribution is necessary while receiving this medicine. Any changes in the body should be informed to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Lactic acidosis
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Lactic acidosis. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Opportunistic infections
The patients receiving this medicine may develop opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, herpes virus infections, etc. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate patient/caregiver education, corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver impairment due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis removes Emtricitabine. Hence, this medicine should be administered once the process of hemodialysis is complete.
Dizziness
This medicine may cause dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience dizziness during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Leflunomide
Efavirenz
Lamivudine
Methotrexate
Zalcitabine
Disease interactions
Renal Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Renal function should be assessed before initiating treatment with this medicine. Close monitoring of renal function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Close monitoring of liver function and kidney function may be necessary while receiving this medicine based on the clinical condition.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by stopping the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying. This helps in reducing the chances of development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related illnesses.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
Schedule
Schedule H
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Emtricitabine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
Emtriva 200 mg hard capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
Emtriva 10 mg/ml oral solution - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ema.europa.eu. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Davisplus.fadavis.com. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 2 Apr 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.