Drug Interactions With Emtricitabine
What If I Overdose on Emtricitabine?
It is not known exactly what to expect from an overdose of emtricitabine. If you happen to overdose on emtricitabine, seek immediate medical attention.
Emtricitabine: Storage Methods
Emtricitabine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep emtricitabine capsules and oral solution in an airtight container.
Keep emtricitabine and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Emtricitabine?
It is very important that you do not miss emtricitabine doses. If you do not take your emtricitabine as scheduled, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are having trouble remembering to take your
HIV medications.
How Does Emtricitabine Work?
Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). NRTI medications work 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, HIV must use a person's own cells to reproduce. However, HIV is a little different than 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 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, emtricitabine actually stops the DNA from being made. Without DNA, HIV cannot multiply.
Emtricitabine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Although it can help stop HIV from infecting uninfected cells in the body, it does not help cells that have already been infected with the virus.
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