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Viread

Generic name: tenofovir disoproxil
Drug class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 25, 2023.

What is Viread?

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

Viread is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Viread is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection.

Viread is for use in adults and children at least 2 years old and weighing at least 22 pounds (10 kilograms).

Warnings

If you have hepatitis B, it may become active or get worse after you stop using Viread. You may need frequent liver function tests for several months.

Do not change your dose or stop using Viread without your doctor's advice. If you have ever had hepatitis B, stopping treatment with tenofovir can cause acute exacerbations of hepatitis B. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

Do not take Viread together with adefovir (Hepsera), or with combination medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Complera, Descovy, Genvoya, Odefsey, Stribild, Symfi, or Truvada).

Viread is not recommended in patients with end stage renal disease.

Tenofovir disoproxil (Viread) is used to treat HIV-1 infection and chronic hepatitis B. Tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy) is only used to treat patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Viread if you are allergic to tenofovir.

To make sure Viread is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Ask your doctor about your risk.

To prevent HIV in a newborn baby, use all medications to control your infection during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry.

Women with HIV should not breastfeed. The virus can pass to your baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Viread?

Take Viread exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

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).

Take this medicine at the same time each day.

Viread can be taken with or without food. Carefully follow all instructions on your medicine label.

Viread oral powder should be mixed with soft food that can be swallowed without chewing, such as applesauce, yogurt, or baby food. Do not mix the oral powder with liquid.

Tenofovir doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Do not stop using Viread without first talking to your doctor.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of a doctor.

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

If you have hepatitis B, this virus may become active or get worse in the months after you stop using Viread. You may need frequent liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after your last dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

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?

Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage.

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

Viread side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Viread: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, fast/slow or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Viread can affect your immune system (even weeks or months after you've used this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

Common Viread side effects may include:

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.

What other drugs will affect Viread?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tenofovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Many drugs can interact with tenofovir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Popular FAQ

Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide) and Viread (Tenofovir disproxil fumarate) are antiviral medications marketed by Gilead Sciences. They are both prodrugs of tenofovir.

Vemlidy and Viread are similar in terms of their effectiveness, but Vemlidy is effective at a much lower dose than Viread. Less tenofovir ends up in the bloodstream after taking Vemlidy, leading to improved renal and bone laboratory safety parameters compared with Viread.

Vemlidy also has greater plasma stability, enabling it to deliver tenofovir to hepatocytes more efficiently.

Vemlidy and Viread are both used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but Viread is also used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Continue reading

More FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Viread only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.