Viread Side Effects
Please note - some side effects for Viread may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Side Effects of Viread - for the Consumer
Viread
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Viread:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Viread:Abnormal skin sensations; back pain; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; indigestion; loss of appetite; nausea; sleeplessness; sweating; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.
TopSevere allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; bone pain; chest pain; fever, chills, or sore throat; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); numbness, burning, pain, or tingling in the hands or feet; pneumonia; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; stomach pain; symptoms of kidney problems (eg, increased or decreased urination, increased thirst); symptoms of lactic acidosis (eg, unusual weakness or tiredness; unusual muscle pain; fast or difficult breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feeling cold, especially in the arms and legs; dizziness or lightheadedness; fast or irregular heartbeat); symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; persistent loss of appetite).
Viread Side Effects - for the Professional
Viread
The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling:
- Lactic Acidosis/Severe Hepatomegaly with Steatosis [See Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
- Severe Acute Exacerbation of Hepatitis [See Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
- New Onset or Worsening Renal Impairment [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
- Decreases in Bone Mineral Density [See Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].
- Immune Reconstitution Syndrome [See Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].
Adverse Reactions from Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Clinical Trials in Patients with HIV Infection
More than 12,000 patients have been treated with Viread alone or in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products for periods of 28 days to 215 weeks in clinical trials and expanded access studies. A total of 1,544 patients have received Viread 300 mg once daily in clinical trials; over 11,000 patients have received Viread in expanded access studies.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10%, Grades 2–4) identified from any of the 3 large controlled clinical trials include rash, diarrhea, headache, pain, depression, asthenia, and nausea.
Treatment-Naïve Patients
Study 903 - Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions seen in a double-blind comparative controlled study in which 600 treatment-naïve patients received Viread (N=299) or stavudine (N=301) in combination with lamivudine and efavirenz for 144 weeks (Study 903) were mild to moderate gastrointestinal events and dizziness.
Mild adverse reactions (Grade 1) were common with a similar incidence in both arms, and included dizziness, diarrhea, and nausea. Selected treatment-emergent moderate to severe adverse reactions are summarized in Table 2.
| Viread + 3TC + EFV | d4T + 3TC + EFV | |
|---|---|---|
| N=299 | N=301 | |
|
||
| Body as a Whole | ||
| Headache | 14% | 17% |
| Pain | 13% | 12% |
| Fever | 8% | 7% |
| Abdominal pain | 7% | 12% |
| Back pain | 9% | 8% |
| Asthenia | 6% | 7% |
| Digestive System | ||
| Diarrhea | 11% | 13% |
| Nausea | 8% | 9% |
| Dyspepsia | 4% | 5% |
| Vomiting | 5% | 9% |
| Metabolic Disorders | ||
| Lipodystrophy† | 1% | 8% |
| Musculoskeletal | ||
| Arthralgia | 5% | 7% |
| Myalgia | 3% | 5% |
| Nervous System | ||
| Depression | 11% | 10% |
| Insomnia | 5% | 8% |
| Dizziness | 3% | 6% |
| Peripheral neuropathy‡ | 1% | 5% |
| Anxiety | 6% | 6% |
| Respiratory | ||
| Pneumonia | 5% | 5% |
| Skin and Appendages | ||
| Rash event§ | 18% | 12% |
Laboratory Abnormalities: With the exception of fasting cholesterol and fasting triglyceride elevations that were more common in the stavudine group (40% and 9%) compared with Viread (19% and 1%) respectively, laboratory abnormalities observed in this study occurred with similar frequency in the Viread and stavudine treatment arms. A summary of Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities is provided in Table 3.
| Viread + 3TC + EFV | d4T + 3TC + EFV | |
|---|---|---|
| N=299 | N=301 | |
| Any ≥ Grade 3 Laboratory Abnormality | 36% | 42% |
| Fasting Cholesterol (>240 mg/dL) |
19% | 40% |
| Creatine Kinase (M: >990 U/L) (F: >845 U/L) |
12% | 12% |
| Serum Amylase (>175 U/L) | 9% | 8% |
| AST (M: >180 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
5% | 7% |
| ALT (M: >215 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
4% | 5% |
| Hematuria (>100 RBC/HPF) | 7% | 7% |
| Neutrophils (<750/mm3) | 3% | 1% |
| Fasting Triglycerides (>750 mg/dL) | 1% | 9% |
Study 934 - Treatment Emergent Adverse Reactions: In Study 934, 511 antiretroviral-naïve patients received either Viread + EMTRIVA® administered in combination with efavirenz (N=257) or zidovudine/lamivudine administered in combination with efavirenz (N=254). Adverse reactions observed in this study were generally consistent with those seen in previous studies in treatment-experienced or treatment-naïve patients (Table 4).
| Viread† + FTC + EFV | AZT/3TC + EFV | |
|---|---|---|
| N=257 | N=254 | |
|
||
| Gastrointestinal Disorder | ||
| Diarrhea | 9% | 5% |
| Nausea | 9% | 7% |
| Vomiting | 2% | 5% |
| General Disorders and Administration Site Condition | ||
| Fatigue | 9% | 8% |
| Infections and Infestations | ||
| Sinusitis | 8% | 4% |
| Upper respiratory tract infections | 8% | 5% |
| Nasopharyngitis | 5% | 3% |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||
| Headache | 6% | 5% |
| Dizziness | 8% | 7% |
| Psychiatric Disorders | ||
| Depression | 9% | 7% |
| Insomnia | 5% | 7% |
| Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | ||
| Rash event‡ | 7% | 9% |
Laboratory Abnormalities: Laboratory abnormalities observed in this study were generally consistent with those seen in previous studies (Table 5).
| Viread* + FTC + EFV | AZT/3TC + EFV | |
|---|---|---|
| N=257 | N=254 | |
|
||
| Any ≥ Grade 3 Laboratory Abnormality | 30% | 26% |
| Fasting Cholesterol (>240 mg/dL) | 22% | 24% |
| Creatine Kinase (M: >990 U/L) (F: >845 U/L) |
9% | 7% |
| Serum Amylase (>175 U/L) | 8% | 4% |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (>550 U/L) | 1% | 0% |
| AST (M: >180 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
3% | 3% |
| ALT (M: >215 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
2% | 3% |
| Hemoglobin (<8.0 mg/dL) | 0% | 4% |
| Hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL) | 2% | 1% |
| Hematuria (>75 RBC/HPF) | 3% | 2% |
| Glycosuria (≥3+) | <1% | 1% |
| Neutrophils (<750/mm3) | 3% | 5% |
| Fasting Triglycerides (>750 mg/dL) | 4% | 2% |
Treatment-Experienced Patients
Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions: The adverse reactions seen in treatment experienced patients were generally consistent with those seen in treatment naïve patients including mild to moderate gastrointestinal events, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence. Less than 1% of patients discontinued participation in the clinical studies due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions (Study 907).
A summary of moderate to severe, treatment-emergent adverse reactions that occurred during the first 48 weeks of Study 907 is provided in Table 6.
| Viread (N=368) (Week 0–24) |
Placebo (N=182) (Week 0–24) |
Viread (N=368) (Week 0–48) |
Placebo Crossover to Viread (N=170) (Week 24–48) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||
| Body as a Whole | ||||
| Asthenia | 7% | 6% | 11% | 1% |
| Pain | 7% | 7% | 12% | 4% |
| Headache | 5% | 5% | 8% | 2% |
| Abdominal pain | 4% | 3% | 7% | 6% |
| Back pain | 3% | 3% | 4% | 2% |
| Chest pain | 3% | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Fever | 2% | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Digestive System | ||||
| Diarrhea | 11% | 10% | 16% | 11% |
| Nausea | 8% | 5% | 11% | 7% |
| Vomiting | 4% | 1% | 7% | 5% |
| Anorexia | 3% | 2% | 4% | 1% |
| Dyspepsia | 3% | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Flatulence | 3% | 1% | 4% | 1% |
| Respiratory | ||||
| Pneumonia | 2% | 0% | 3% | 2% |
| Nervous System | ||||
| Depression | 4% | 3% | 8% | 4% |
| Insomnia | 3% | 2% | 4% | 4% |
| Peripheral neuropathy† | 3% | 3% | 5% | 2% |
| Dizziness | 1% | 3% | 3% | 1% |
| Skin and Appendage | ||||
| Rash event‡ | 5% | 4% | 7% | 1% |
| Sweating | 3% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Musculoskeletal | ||||
| Myalgia | 3% | 3% | 4% | 1% |
| Metabolic | ||||
| Weight loss | 2% | 1% | 4% | 2% |
Laboratory Abnormalities: Laboratory abnormalities observed in this study occurred with similar frequency in the Viread and placebo-treated groups. A summary of Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities is provided in Table 7.
| Viread (N=368) (Week 0–24) |
Placebo (N=182) (Week 0–24) |
Viread (N=368) (Week 0–48) |
Placebo Crossover to Viread (N=170) (Week 24–48) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any ≥ Grade 3 Laboratory Abnormality | 25% | 38% | 35% | 34% |
| Triglycerides (>750 mg/dL) | 8% | 13% | 11% | 9% |
| Creatine Kinase (M: >990U/L) (F: >845 U/L) |
7% | 14% | 12% | 12% |
| Serum Amylase (>175 U/L) | 6% | 7% | 7% | 6% |
| Glycosuria (≥3+) | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% |
| AST (M: >180 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
3% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| ALT (M: >215 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
2% | 2% | 4% | 5% |
| Serum Glucose (>250 U/L) | 2% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Neutrophils (<750/mm3) | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
Clinical Trials in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B
Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions: In controlled clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis B, more patients treated with Viread experienced nausea: 9% with Viread versus 2% with HEPSERA. Other treatment-emergent adverse reactions reported in >5% of patients treated with Viread included: abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, back pain and skin rash.
Laboratory Abnormalities: A summary of Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities is provided in Table 8.
| Viread (N=426) |
HEPSERA (N=215) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Any ≥ Grade 3 Laboratory Abnormality | 19% | 13% |
| Creatine Kinase (M: >990U/L) (F: >845 U/L) |
2% | 3% |
| Serum Amylase (>175 U/L) | 4% | 1% |
| Glycosuria (≥3+) | 3% | <1% |
| AST (M: >180 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
4% | 4% |
| ALT (M: >215 U/L) (F: >170 U/L) |
10% | 6% |
The overall incidence of on-treatment ALT elevations (defined as serum ALT >2 × baseline and >10 × ULN, with or without associated symptoms) was similar between Viread (2.6%) and HEPSERA (2%). ALT elevations generally occurred within the first 4–8 weeks of treatment and were accompanied by decreases in HBV DNA levels. No patient had evidence of decompensation. ALT flares typically resolved within 4 to 8 weeks without changes in study medication.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Viread. Because postmarketing reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Immune System Disorders
allergic reaction
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders
lactic acidosis, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia
Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders
dyspnea
Gastrointestinal Disorders
pancreatitis, increased amylase, abdominal pain
Hepatobiliary Disorders
hepatic steatosis, hepatitis, increased liver enzymes (most commonly AST, ALT gamma GT)
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
rash
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
rhabdomyolysis, osteomalacia (manifested as bone pain and which may contribute to fractures), muscular weakness, myopathy
Renal and Urinary Disorders
acute renal failure, renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, Fanconi syndrome, proximal renal tubulopathy, interstitial nephritis (including acute cases), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, renal insufficiency, increased creatinine, proteinuria, polyuria
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions
asthenia
The following adverse reactions, listed under the body system headings above, may occur as a consequence of proximal renal tubulopathy: rhabdomyolysis, osteomalacia, hypokalemia, muscular weakness, myopathy, hypophosphatemia.
TopSide Effects by Body System
General
The most common side effects (greater than or equal to 10%; Grades 2 to 4) reported during controlled clinical trials in patients with HIV infection included rash, diarrhea, headache, pain, depression, asthenia, and nausea. The most common side effects associated with tenofovir in combination with other antiretrovirals have included mild to moderate gastrointestinal events (such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence) in treatment-experienced patients and mild to moderate gastrointestinal events and dizziness in treatment-naive patients. Less than 1% of patients in clinical trials discontinued treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects.
The most common side effects (greater than 5%) reported during controlled clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis B included nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, back pain, and skin rash.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included diarrhea (up to 16%), nausea (up to 11%), vomiting (up to 7%), flatulence (up to 4%), dyspepsia (up to 4%), and anorexia (up to 4%). Pancreatitis, abdominal pain, and elevated amylase have been reported during postmarketing experience.
Metabolic
Hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia may occur due to proximal renal tubulopathy.
Metabolic side effects (Grade 3/4) have included elevated fasting cholesterol (up to 22%), creatine kinase (up to 12%), triglycerides (up to 11%), serum amylase (up to 9%), fasting triglycerides (up to 4%), serum glucose (up to 3%), alkaline phosphatase (1%), and serum lipase (1%). Additional side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included weight loss (up to 4%) and lipodystrophy (1%). Redistribution/accumulation of body fat, including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement, peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and "cushingoid appearance," have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy, including tenofovir; however, a causal relationship has not been established. Lactic acidosis, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia have been reported during postmarketing experience.
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included rash event (including rash, pruritus, maculopapular rash, urticaria, vesiculobullous rash, pustular rash, exfoliative rash, generalized rash, macular rash, pruritic rash, and vesicular rash; up to 18%) and sweating (up to 3%). At least one case of lichenoid drug eruption with eosinophilia has been reported. Rash has also been reported during postmarketing experience.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included headache (up to 14%), dizziness (up to 8%), insomnia (up to 5%), and peripheral neuropathy (including peripheral neuritis and neuropathy; up to 5%). Somnolence and paresthesia have been reported.
Other
Other side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included pain (up to 13%), asthenia (up to 11%), fatigue (9%), back pain (up to 9%), fever (up to 8%), abdominal pain (up to 7%), and chest pain (up to 3%).
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included depression (up to 11%) and anxiety (6%). Abnormal dreams have been reported.
Hepatic
Hepatic side effects (Grade 3/4) have included elevated alanine transaminase (ALT; up to 10%) and aspartate transaminase (AST; up to 5%). Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside/nucleotide analogs, including tenofovir, in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Hepatic steatosis, hepatitis, and elevated liver enzymes (primarily AST, ALT, and gamma glutamyl transferase) have been reported during postmarketing experience. Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis have been reported in patients with hepatitis B after discontinuation of tenofovir.
Renal
Rhabdomyolysis, osteomalacia, hypokalemia, muscular weakness, myopathy, and hypophosphatemia may occur as a result of proximal renal tubulopathy.
Renal side effects have included new onset or worsening renal impairment, nephritis, and decreased urine volume. Renal insufficiency, renal failure, acute renal failure, Fanconi syndrome, proximal renal tubulopathy, increased creatinine, acute tubular necrosis, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and interstitial nephritis (including acute cases) have been reported during postmarketing experience.
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included arthralgia (5%) and myalgia (up to 4%). Decreased bone mineral density and increased biochemical markers of bone metabolism have been reported. Rhabdomyolysis, osteomalacia (manifested as bone pain and which may contribute to fractures), muscular weakness, and myopathy have been reported during postmarketing experience.
Rhabdomyolysis, osteomalacia, muscular weakness, and myopathy may occur due to proximal renal tubulopathy.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included sinusitis (8%), upper respiratory tract infections (8%), nasopharyngitis (5%), and pneumonia (up to 5%). Nasal congestion has been reported. Dyspnea has been reported during postmarketing experience.
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects (Grade 3/4) have included decreased neutrophils (up to 3%).
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects (Grade 3/4) have included hematuria (up to 7%) and glycosuria (up to 3%). Proteinuria and polyuria have been reported during postmarketing experience.
Immunologic
Immunologic side effects have included immune reconstitution syndrome.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects have included allergic reaction (including angioedema) during postmarketing experience.
TopMore Viread resources
- Viread Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Viread Detailed Consumer Information (PDR)
- Viread Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Viread MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Viread Consumer Overview
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
