Tenofovir is an antiretroviral indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection or chronic hepatitis B, in adults over 18 years of age, as it acts by reducing the multiplication of HIV-1 or hepatitis B viruses, reducing the viral load.
This medicine is provided free of charge by the SUS for the treatment of hepatitis B, under the generic name tenofovir alafenamide. For the treatment of HIV-1 infection, it is supplied under the trade name Duplivir containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, associated with another antiretroviral, lamivudine. See all medications indicated for HIV infection.
Furthermore, tenofovir can be found in pharmacies or drugstores under the trade names Viread, Vemlidy, Binav or Truvada, and should only be used under medical advice.
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What is it for
Tenofovir is indicated for the treatment of:
- HIV-1 infectionused in combination with other antiretrovirals, such as lamivudine, emtricitabine or efavirenz, for example;
- Chronic hepatitis Bwith compensated cirrhosis.
Tenofovir does not cure and does not reduce the risk of transmitting the HIV-1 virus or hepatitis B through intimate contact or contaminated blood. Therefore, care must be taken such as using a condom in all intimate contact, not using or sharing used needles and personal objects that may contain blood, such as razor blades.
How to drink
The tenofovir tablet must be taken orally, at the times established by the doctor, without breaking or chewing the tablet.
The normally recommended doses of tenofovir for adults over 18 years of age vary according to its composition and include:
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: the normally recommended dose is 300 mg per day, for hepatitis B or HIV infection, in combination with other antiretroviral medications, as per medical advice;
- Tenofovir alafenamide: The normally recommended dose for hepatitis B is 25 mg per day, as per medical advice.
Tenofovir should be used with medical indication and guidance, and treatment should not be interrupted or the dose changed on your own.
Possible side effects
Side effects of tenofovir include redness and itching of the skin, headache, diarrhea, depression, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, intestinal gas, kidney problems, lactic acidosis, inflammation of the pancreas and liver, stomach pain, high volume of urination, thirst, muscle pain and weakness, and bone pain and weakening.
Who shouldn’t use
Tenofovir should not be used by people who are allergic to the components of the formula and who are taking Hepsera or other medicines that have tenofovir in their composition.
Furthermore, during breastfeeding, the use of tenofovir should be avoided and a doctor should be consulted in case of pregnancy, kidney, bone and liver problems, including Hepatitis B virus infection and other medical conditions.
Bibliography
- GILEAD SCIENCES FARMACÊUTICA DO BRASIL LTDA. Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide) – coated tablets 25 mg. 2021. Available at: <https://www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/other/vemlidy_bula-ao-paciente.pdf?la=en&hash=C19D5C3A1F1E6170D6CEEB1E5E094383>. Accessed on May 10, 2022
- DRUGS.COM. Tenofovir. 2021. Available at: <https://www.drugs.com/mtm/tenofovir.html>. Accessed on May 10, 2022
- NAM AIDSMAP. Table of antiretroviral medications. 2011. Available at: <http://www.sermais.pt/media/86/File/Publicacoes/Table_Dos_Medicamentos.pdf>. Accessed on May 10, 2022
- FIOCRUZ. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg + lamivudine 300 mg. Available at: <https://www.far.fiocruz.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Fumarato-de-Tenofovir-Desoproxila-Lamivud_profissionais.pdf>. Accessed on May 10, 2022
- BRAZILIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH. SUS offers new treatment option for hepatitis B. 2022. Available at: <https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2022/marco/sus-oferta-nova-opcao-de-tratamento-da-doenca>. Accessed on May 10, 2022
- GILEAD SCIENCES FARMACÊUTICA DO BRASIL LTDA. Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) 300 mg tablets. 2019. Available at: <https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://uploads.consultaremedios.com.br/drug_leaflet/Bula-Viread-Paciente-Consulta-Remedios.pdf?1573765439&embedded=true> . Accessed on May 10, 2022
- CONITEC. Tenofovir alafenamide for treating adults with hepatitis B virus infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. 2021. Available at: <http://conitec.gov.br/images/Relatorios/2021/20210602_Relatorio_616_TAF_hepatiteB_P_23.pdf>. Accessed on May 10, 2022
- CRISTALIA PROD. CHEM. FARM. LTD. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate – 300 mg tablets. 2019. Available at: <https://www.cristalia.com.br/arquivos_medicamentos/192/Fumarato%20de%20Tenofovir%20Desoproxila_Bula_Paciente.pdf>. Accessed on May 10, 2022