Tenofovir disoproxil brands and prices in Pakistan

About Tenofovir disoproxil

Tenofovir disoproxil (often called TDF) is an antiviral medicine from the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor group. It blocks an enzyme that HIV and the hepatitis B virus need to make copies of themselves. It keeps the virus under control but does not cure HIV or hepatitis B, so it is taken long term as a doctor directs. It is a prescription medicine, and treatment is usually started and checked by a specialist clinic.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not take it if you are allergic to tenofovir or any ingredient in the tablet.
• Do not take it with other medicines that already contain tenofovir disoproxil or tenofovir alafenamide, or with adefovir.
• Kidney problems: tell your doctor. Kidney blood tests are done before and during treatment. Teenagers who already have kidney problems should not be given it.
• Liver disease, including hepatitis B or C: there is a higher risk of serious liver problems, and liver blood tests may be needed.
• Hepatitis B: never stop taking it without talking to your doctor. Hepatitis B can flare up and get worse after stopping, so you may need blood tests for several months afterwards.
• Bone problems: tell your doctor. Bone loss is more marked when it is taken with a boosted protease inhibitor (another HIV medicine).
• People over 65 have not been studied much, so doctors watch them closely.
• Pregnancy: tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Studies have not shown a higher risk of birth defects, and UK HIV doctors list it as a preferred option in pregnancy. Your doctor will plan how to protect the baby.
• Breastfeeding: women with HIV are not advised to breastfeed. Women with hepatitis B may be able to breastfeed if the baby had hepatitis B protection (vaccine and immunoglobulin) at birth; ask your doctor first.
• The tablets contain lactose, so tell your doctor if you have been told you cannot tolerate some sugars.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Other medicines that contain tenofovir, and adefovir: do not take together
• Didanosine (an older HIV medicine): should not be combined
• Medicines that can harm the kidneys, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, vancomycin, amphotericin B, pentamidine, foscarnet, ganciclovir, cidofovir, tacrolimus and anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Your doctor may check your kidneys more often.
• Boosted protease inhibitors (HIV medicines) and some hepatitis C medicines, including sofosbuvir-based ones, which can raise tenofovir levels
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, herbal products and vitamins you take.
• If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, do not stop your HIV medicines when you start this one.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Take it only as prescribed for you, and keep taking it even when you feel well. Do not miss doses or run out of tablets, because this can make the medicine stop working.
• The UK tablet leaflet says to take it with food, such as a meal or snack. Other sources say it can be taken with or without food. Follow the leaflet that comes with your tablets.
• Try to take it at the same time each day.
• If you forget a dose or vomit soon after taking it, check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist what to do. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
• Never stop it on your own, especially if you have hepatitis B. Talk to your doctor first.
• Go to your blood tests, as they check your kidneys, liver and bones. Your doctor may advise calcium and vitamin D.
• It can make you dizzy. Do not drive, cycle or use machines if this happens.
• Keep out of the reach of children. Keep the drying sachet in the bottle and do not swallow it. Return unused tablets to a pharmacy.

Common questions

Will tenofovir disoproxil cure my hepatitis B or HIV?
No. It keeps the virus under control so it does less harm, but it does not remove it. That is why it is taken long term and should not be stopped without your doctor.

Why is it used so often for hepatitis B?
WHO names tenofovir and entecavir as the most potent tablets for keeping hepatitis B under control. WHO says they rarely lead to drug resistance and have few side effects, so they need only limited monitoring.

What happens if I stop taking it?
With hepatitis B, the infection can flare up and the liver can get worse after stopping. With HIV, the virus can start to multiply again and the treatment may stop working as well. Always talk to your doctor before stopping.

Can it be used to prevent HIV?
Yes, as part of a combination pill taken as PrEP by people at high risk. WHO says PrEP works well when it is taken as advised and should be used alongside other prevention such as condoms. An HIV test is needed before starting and regularly during use, to avoid drug resistance.

Why do I need kidney tests?
Tenofovir disoproxil can affect the kidneys. Serious kidney damage is rare, and kidney changes usually get better after stopping, but regular blood tests help your doctor spot problems early, especially if you take other medicines that affect the kidneys.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.