Tenofovir is used for the treatment of HIV and AIDS in adults. Occasionally, the medication can also be used off-label for preventing HIV infection in people exposed to the virus (such as a healthcare worker who comes in contact with a contaminated needle stick). At this time, there are no approved tenofovir uses for children or adolescents.
What Is Tenofovir Used For? -- An Overview
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (
Viread®) is a prescription medication used to treat
HIV and
AIDS. It is part of a group of medications known as nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs).
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was initially reported in the United States in 1981. Since then, it has become a significant worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Initially, an HIV infection usually does not cause any obvious symptoms
(see HIV Symptoms). However, by killing or damaging cells of the immune system, HIV will eventually begin to progressively destroy the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers
(see AIDS Symptoms).
HIV is commonly spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. Transmission also happens through contact with infected blood, which frequently occurs among IV drug users (who share needles or syringes contaminated with blood from someone infected with the virus). Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
Tenofovir is not intended to be used alone. Instead, it is used as part of an HIV "cocktail." These cocktails usually consist of three or four different HIV medications (technically known as highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART). Using combinations of medications helps prevent the virus from becoming resistant to one or more of the drugs.
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