Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir

(e FAV e renz, em trye SYE ta been, & te NOE fo veer)

U.S. Brand Names

Atripla™

Canadian Brand Names

Atripla™

Pharmacologic Category

Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (Non-nucleoside); Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (Nucleoside); Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (Nucleotide)

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

This medicine may cause severe liver damage and a change in the acid levels in the blood. Closely review the section in this leaflet that lists when to call healthcare provider. Pregnancy, obesity, and/or prolonged therapy may increase the risk.

Hepatitis B testing may be suggested to patients taking this medicine for HIV infection. Unrecognized hepatitis B infection may worsen after this medicine is stopped.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to efavirenz, emtricitabine, tenofovir, or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are taking any of these medicines: Cisapride, dihydroergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, ergotamine, methysergide, midazolam, or triazolam.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat HIV infection.

How does it work?

• Efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir work to injure the virus and fight the infection.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

• Take this medicine at bedtime if it causes sleepiness.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not run out of this medicine.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy in HIV disease.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Weakened bones.

• Change in color of skin.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not hungry.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Severe muscle pain or weakness.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-11-08 14:46:58.0

Modified: 2008-02-11 13:45:05.0

Lexi-PALSTM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.