What is emtricitabine?
Emtricitabine is an antiviral medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called reverse
transcriptase inhibitors. Emtricitabine works by preventing HIV cells from multiplying in the body.
Emtricitabine is used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Emtricitabine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Emtricitabine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking emtricitabine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to emtricitabine, or if you are also using:
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emtricitabine and tenofovir (Truvada);
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efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (Atripla); or
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any medication containing lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir,
Epivir-HBV, Epzicom, or Trizivir).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use emtricitabine:
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic
acidosis while taking emtricitabine. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are
overweight or have liver disease, or if you have taken certain 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. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this
medication.
You should not breast-feed while you are using emtricitabine. Women with HIV or AIDS
should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the
baby in your breast milk.
How should I take emtricitabine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take emtricitabine with a full glass of water.
Emtricitabine can be taken with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day
to get the most benefit.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon.
If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
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 at regular visits for
several months after you stop using emtricitabine. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Treatment of HIV/AIDS almost always requires using many medicines together. To best treat
your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or
medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain
under the care of a doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your
doctor.
Store emtricitabine capsules at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and direct
light.
Store emtricitabine liquid in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of emtricitabine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about emtricitabine?
Your pharmacist has information about emtricitabine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of emtricitabine?
Stop using emtricitabine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic reaction :
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,
or throat.
Emtricitabine 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:
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muscle pain or weakness;
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numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs;
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trouble breathing;
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feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
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stomach pain, nausea with vomiting; or
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slow or uneven heart rate.
Emtricitabine may also cause severe liver damage, which can be fatal.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms of liver problems:
Early in your treatment with emtricitabine, you may have a flare-up of other
infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or cytomegalovirus. Contact your doctor if you develop
any possible symptoms of other infections, such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, flu symptoms, or
problems with breathing or vision.
Less serious side effects may include:
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headache;
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diarrhea, mild nausea or stomach pain;
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darkened patches of skin on your palms and/or soles;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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cough, runny nose;
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skin rash; or
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change in the shape or location of body fat (especially in
the arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).
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 is the most important information I should know about emtricitabine?
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking
entricitabine. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.
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, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Emtricitabine may also cause severe liver damage, which can be fatal. Call your doctor at
once if you have any of these symptoms of liver problems: nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of
appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Treatment of HIV/AIDS almost always requires using many medicines together. To best treat
your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or
medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain
under the care of a doctor.
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this
medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe
methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe,
even for a healthy person.
What should I avoid while taking emtricitabine?
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this
medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe
methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe,
even for a healthy person.
What other drugs will affect emtricitabine?
There may be other drugs that can affect emtricitabine, making it less effective or making side
effects more likely to occur. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of emtricitabine?