Truvada
What is Truvada?
Truvada is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat HIV infection and prevent HIV infection in people who have a high risk of getting HIV (1)(4). It is a combination of two active substances, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (1)(3).
Dosage
The recommended dosage of Truvada in adults and in pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg is one tablet (containing 200 mg of emtricitabine and 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) once daily taken orally with or without food (3). The dose of Truvada may be adjusted by your healthcare provider based on your kidney function and other factors.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Truvada include headache, stomach pain, and weight loss. Serious side effects may include lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood) and severe liver problems. Truvada can also cause bone problems, including bone pain, or softening or thinning of bones, which may lead to fractures. If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking Truvada, contact your healthcare provider immediately (1)(3)(5).
Interactions
Truvada may interact with other medications, including digoxin, metformin, and insulin. It may also interact with certain supplements, such as digestive enzymes and probiotics. Before taking Truvada, tell your healthcare provider about all the medications and supplements you are taking (1)(3).
Health Benefits
Truvada is used in antiretroviral combination therapy for the treatment of HIV-1 infected adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 17 kg (3). It may also be used in adolescents with HIV who are resistant to first-line treatments or who cannot take them because of side effects. Truvada is also used to help prevent sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who are at high risk of being infected (pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP) (1)(4).
Recommended Time and Dosage
Truvada is usually taken once a day with or without food. It is important to take Truvada as prescribed by your healthcare provider to ensure the best possible outcome. The dose may be adjusted by your healthcare provider based on your kidney function and other factors (1)(3).
Human Studies
Truvada has been studied extensively in clinical trials and has been shown to be effective in controlling HIV viral load in people with HIV. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people at high risk when used for PrEP (2). However, like all medications, Truvada may not be suitable for everyone and may cause side effects in some people. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of Truvada before starting treatment.
Citations:
(1) https://www.truvada.com
(2) https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/about-prep.html
(3) https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=54e82b13-a037-49ed-b4b3-030b37c0ecdd&type=display
(4) https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/truvada
(5) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325820
(6) https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-91482/truvada-oral/details