Emtricitabine and Tenofovir (Cont.)

Emtricitabine and Tenofovir: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking emtricitabine and tenofovir if you have:
 
  • Hepatitis B
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, such as liver failure or cirrhosis
  • Osteoporosis or other bone problems
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Emtricitabine and Tenofovir to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Work?

Tenofovir (one of the components of emtricitabine and tenofovir) is currently the only medication in a class of HIV medications known as nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs). Emtricitabine (the other component) belongs to a group of medications known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Emtricitabine and tenofovir works by blocking a process that the HIV virus needs in order to multiply.
 
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. Like other viruses, it must use a person's own cells to reproduce. However, HIV is a little different from many other viruses because it must first convert its genetic material from RNA to DNA. It is the DNA genes that allow HIV to multiply.
 
HIV converts its genetic material by using a special protein called the reverse transcriptase enzyme. To create DNA, this enzyme uses several different protein building-blocks.
 
Emtricitabine and tenofovir works by tricking reverse transcriptase into thinking it is one of these protein building-blocks. However, it is just different enough that when used to create DNA, the medication actually stops the DNA from being made. Without DNA, HIV cannot multiply. Emtricitabine and tenofovir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, however. It can help stop HIV from infecting healthy cells in the body, but it does not help cells that have already been infected with the virus.
 
(Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;