Drug Interactions With Emtricitabine

When certain medications are combined, there is a possibility for drug interactions. With emtricitabine, drug interactions can occur when it is taken with ganciclovir, ribavirin, or several other medications. Some of these drug interactions with emtricitabine can increase your risk of side effects. To avoid these interactions, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking emtricitabine. 

 

Drug Interactions With Emtricitabine: An Introduction

Emtricitabine (Emtriva®) can potentially interact with a few other medicines. Some of these medicines that may lead to emtricitabine interactions include:
 
  • Ganciclovir (Cytovene®)
  • Lamivudine products, including:

 

 

  • Other medications that contain emtricitabine, such as:

 

 

  • Ribavirin (Copegus®, Rebetol®, Ribasphere®, Virazole®)
  • Valganciclovir (Valcyte™).
     

Emtricitabine Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when emtricitabine is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Ganciclovir (Cytovene)
Combining ganciclovir with emtricitabine may increase your risk of emtricitabine side effects, particularly the side effects that affect blood cells. Your healthcare provider may need to closely monitor your blood counts.
(Drug Interactions With Emtricitabine Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;