Generic Name: tenofovir (ten OF oh vir)
Brand Names: Viread

What is Viread?

Viread (tenofovir) is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus cells from multiplying in your body.

Viread is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Viread is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B.

Viread may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Viread

Do not take Viread together with adefovir (Hepsera), or with combination medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla, Complera, or Truvada).

Viread should not be given to a child with HIV who is younger than 2 years old. Viread should not be used to treat hepatitis B in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking Viread. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Viread can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking Viread: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

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If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Viread. Visit your doctor regularly.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Before taking Viread

Do not use Viread if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine containing tenofovir, including Atripla, Complera, or Truvada. Do not take Viread together with adefovir (Hepsera), or with combination medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla, Complera, or Truvada).

Tenofovir should not be given to a child with HIV who is younger than 2 years old. Tenofovir should not be used to treat hepatitis B in anyone younger than 18 years old.

To make sure you can safely take Viread, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease (especially hepatitis B if you also have HIV);
• kidney disease; or

• bone problems (such as osteopenia).

Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking Viread. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

See also: Viread pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Viread on the baby.

Tenofovir can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Viread to treat hepatitis B. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Viread?

Take Viread exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Before you start treatment with Viread, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have HIV (if you are being treated for hepatitis B) or hepatitis B (if you are being treated for HIV).

Viread tablets may be taken with or without food.

Viread oral powder should be taken with food. Mix the powder with soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or baby food. Do not mix Viread oral powder with liquid.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Use Viread regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver and kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Viread. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store Viread at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

See also: Viread dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Viread?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Viread side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Viread: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This medication may cause lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• kidney problems - increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, constipation, urinating less than usual or not at all;

• signs of a new infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or unusual bleeding, loss of appetite, mouth sores;

• increased sweating, tremors in your hands, anxiety, feeling irritable, sleep problems (insomnia);

• diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex;

• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid);

• problems with walking, breathing, speech, swallowing, or eye movement; or

• severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control.

Less serious Viread side effects may include:

• mild nausea or diarrhea;

• depression, headache, dizziness, mild weakness;

• mild itching or rash; or

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Viread side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Viread?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• other HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), didanosine (Videx), lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• pain or arthritis medicines such as aspirin (Anacin, Excedrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;

• medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis, such as mesalamine (Pentasa) or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);

• medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf);

• IV antibiotics such as amphotericin B (AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), amikacin (Amikin), bacitracin (Baci IM), capreomycin (Capastat), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, or vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

• antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), foscarnet (Foscavir), ganciclovir (Cytovene), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or valganciclovir (Valcyte); or

• injectable medications to treat osteoporosis or Paget's disease of the bones, such as etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate (Aredia), or zoledronic acid (Zometa, Reclast).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Viread. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Viread.