Viread (tenofovir) is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus cells from multiplying in your body.
Viread is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Viread is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B.
Viread may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Do not take Viread together with adefovir (Hepsera), or with combination medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla, Complera, Stribild, or Truvada).
This medicine may cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Viread can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking Viread: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Viread if you are allergic to tenofovir. Do not take Viread together with adefovir (Hepsera), or with combination medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla, Complera, Stribild, or Truvada).
Viread should not be given to a child with HIV who is younger than 2 years old. This medicine should not be used to treat hepatitis B in a child younger than 12 years old.
To make sure Viread is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking Viread. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Tenofovir can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Viread to treat hepatitis B. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
How should I take Viread?
Before you start treatment with Viread, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have HIV (if you are being treated for hepatitis B) or hepatitis B (if you are being treated for HIV).
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Viread tablets may be taken with or without food. The oral powder should be taken with food. Mix the powder with soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or baby food. Do not mix Viread oral powder with liquid.
If a child is taking this medication, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Viread doses are based on weight in children.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
While using Viread, you may need frequent blood tests. Your liver and kidney function may also need to be checked.
Use Viread regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor"s advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Viread. Visit your doctor regularly.
What happens if I miss a 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 take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage.
Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Viread side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Viread: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Early symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or unusual bleeding;
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kidney problems - increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, constipation, little or no urinating; or
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liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Viread may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment. Tell your doctor if you have:
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signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
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chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
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cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
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rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
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trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control; or
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swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.
Common Viread side effects may include:
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mild nausea or stomach pain, mild diarrhea;
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depression, headache, dizziness, mild weakness;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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mild itching or rash; or
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changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Viread?
Viread can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines, including: antivirals, chemotherapy, injected antibiotics, medicine for bowel disorders, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, and some pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Viread, especially other HIV or AIDS medications, such as:
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atazanavir;
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didanosine; or
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lopinavir and ritonavir.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Viread, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
