Patient Information Sheet
Emtricitabine (marketed as Emtriva)
This is a summary of the most important information about Erbitux. For details, talk to your healthcare professional.
What is Emtriva used for?
Emtriva is a type of medicine called
an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Emtriva helps to block HIV reverse
transcriptase, a chemical in your body (enzyme) that is needed for
HIV to multiply. Emtriva is always used with other anti-HIV
medicines to treat people with HIV infection. Emtriva is for
patients over 3 months of age. Emtriva has not been studied fully in
adults over age 65.
Emtriva does not cure HIV infection or
AIDS. The long-term effects of Emtriva are not known at this time.
Emtriva may lower the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load).
Emtriva may also help to increase the number of T cells called CD4
cells. Lowering the amount of HIV in the blood lowers the chance of
death or infections that happen when your immune system is weak
(opportunistic infections). People taking Emtriva may still get
opportunistic infections or other conditions that happen with HIV
infection.
Emtriva does not lower your chances of
passing HIV to other people through sexual contact, sharing needles,
or being exposed to blood. For your health and the health of
others, it is important to always practice safe sex and never use or
share dirty needles.
It is very important that you see your healthcare provider regularly while taking Emtriva.
Who should not take Emtriva?
Do not take Emtriva if you are allergic to Emtriva or any of its ingredients.
Special Warnings with Emtriva:
- Some people who have
taken medicines like Emtriva (a nucleoside analog) have developed
a serious condition called lactic acidosis (buildup of an acid in
the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may
need to be treated in the hospital.
- Some people who have
taken medicines like Emtriva have developed serious liver problems
called hepatotoxicity, with liver enlargement and fat in the liver
called steatosis.
- You may be more likely
to get lactic acidosis or liver problems if you are female, very
overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analog
medicines, like Emtriva, for a long time.
General Precautions with Emtriva:
- Do not breast-feed.
- Avoid doing things that
can spread HIV infection since Emtriva does not stop you from
passing HIV infection to others.
- Do not share needles or
other injection equipment.
- Do not share personal
items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like
toothbrushes or razor blades.
- Do not have sex of any
kind without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a
latex or polyurethane condom or other barrier to reduce the chance
of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
What should I tell my healthcare provider?
Tell your healthcare provider:
- if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- if you are breast-feeding.
- if you have kidney problems.
- if you have any liver problems including Hepatitis B Virus infection.
- about all your medical conditions.
- about all the medicines you take, such as prescription and non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements.
What are some possible side effects of Emtriva? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Emtriva. Your
healthcare provider or pharmacist can discuss with you a more
complete list of side effects.)
Serious side effects with Emtriva
include:
- lactic acidosis
- serious liver problems
- “flare-ups” of hepatitis B virus infection. Patients with hepatitis B virus
infection, who take Emtriva and then stop it, may get “flare-ups”
of their hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly
returns in a worse way than before. Emtriva is not for the
treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection.
Some common side effects with Emtriva
include:
- changes in body fat distribution
- headache
- diarrhea
- nausea
- rash
- skin discoloration
The long-term effects of Emtriva are not known at this time.
For more detailed information about Emtriva, ask your healthcare
provider or pharmacist.
Link to Emtriva's Approved Labeling
Back
to Top
Back to Drug Index
PDF requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader
Date created: August 27, 2003
Updated: August 9, 2006 |