efavirenz-emtricitabin-tenofov Oral
Generic Name: EFAVIRENZ/EMTRICITABINE/TENOFOVIR - ORALPronounced: (eh-FAV-er-enz/em-tri-SITE-ah-bean/te-NOE-fo-veer)
efavirenz-emtricitabin-tenofov Oral Uses
This product contains 3 different medications: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. It is used alone or with other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (such as new infections, cancer). Efavirenz belongs to a class of drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Emtricitabine and tenofovir belong to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (such as sharing used needles).
How To Use efavirenz-emtricitabin-tenofov Oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach, without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. Taking this medication at bedtime helps to decrease some of the side effects. See Side Effects section.
Because this combination product has fixed doses of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, you should only use it if your doctor has determined that the doses of all 3 medications in this product are right for you.
If you are taking HIV medications for the first time, you may experience symptoms of an old infection as your immune system begins to work better. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any trouble breathing, fever, new cough, vision problems, headaches, or skin problems.
It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
