Tenofovir for HIV

jAbout tenofovir for HIV

Tenofovir is an antiviral medicine. It is prescribed for infezione da virus dell'immunodeficienza umana (HIV). It slows the progress of HIV infection, but it is not a cure. HIV destroys cells in the body, called CD4 T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell and are important because they are involved in protecting your body from infection. If left untreated, the HIV infection weakens your immune system so that your body cannot defend itself against bacteria, viruses and other germs. Tenofovir slows down the progress of HIV infection by reducing the amount of virus in your body. It does this by stopping the virus from copying (replicating) itself.

Tenofovir will be prescribed for you by a doctor who is a specialist. It belongs to a group of antiretroviral medicines known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It is given alongside a number of other antiretroviral medicines, as part of a combination therapy. Taking three or more antiretroviral medicines at the same time is more effective than taking one alone. Taking a combination of different medicines also reduces the risk that the virus will become resistant to any individual medicine. Some brands of tenofovir tablet contain one or more other antiretroviral medicine (see the list in the table above) - these combination brands help to reduce the total number of tablets you need to take each day. Not all of the information in this leaflet applies to the combination brands, so please refer to the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack for full details. It is vital to take your antiretroviral medicines exactly as prescribed to maintain success and to help to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to the medicines. These medicines are usually taken for life.

Tenofovir is also prescribed for another viral infection - see the separate medicine leaflet called Tenofovir for hepatitis B infection.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking tenofovir it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have problems with the way your kidneys work.

• If you have a condition which weakens your bones, such as osteoporosis, or you are at risk of bone fractures.

• Se bevi molto alcol.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. It will give you more information about tenofovir, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take tenofovir exactly as your doctor tells you to. For adults, the usual dose is one 245 mg tablet daily. Children will be prescribed a lower-strength tablet depending upon their age and weight. For anyone who is unable to take tablets (such as young children) tenofovir is also available as granules. These are measured out using the dosing scoop provided, and then taken mixed into a soft food such as yoghurt, apple sauce or baby food. Mix each scoopful of granules with a tablespoon (15 ml) of food. Do not chew the granules/food mixture as you swallow it as it will taste bitter. Please note, the granules must not be mixed with liquids or drinks. Your doctor will advise you about how many scoopfuls of granules you (or your child) should take for each dose.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, please let your doctor know about this as it may be more suitable for you to be prescribed tenofovir as granules. In the meantime, if necessary, you can crush the tablet and add it to half a glass of water, orange juice or grape juice, providing you swallow it straightaway.

• Take tenofovir tablets with a meal or a snack. (However, if you have been prescribed the combination brand Atripla®, these tablets should be taken when your stomach is empty, which means taking them one hour before any food or waiting until two hours afterwards.)

• Try to take tenofovir at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take it regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, providing it is within the next 12 hours. If it is more than 12 hours later when you remember, leave out the missed dose but do remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Mantieni i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico in modo che i tuoi progressi possano essere monitorati. Avrai bisogno di fare regolarmente esami del sangue per verificare quanto bene stanno funzionando i tuoi farmaci.

• It is important that you continue to take tenofovir and your other antiretroviral treatment regularly. This will help to prevent the HIV from becoming resistant to the medicines you are taking. Even if you miss only a small number of doses, the virus can become resistant to treatment.

• If you develop an infection soon after you start the treatment, let your doctor know. As a result of taking tenofovir, your immune system may start fighting an infection which was present before you started the treatment, but which you may not have been aware of.

• Segui attentamente qualsiasi consiglio che il tuo medico ti dà riguardo ai cambiamenti dello stile di vita per ridurre il rischio di danni al cuore e ai vasi sanguigni. Questi possono includere smettere di fumare, mangiare in modo sano e fare esercizio fisico regolarmente.

• Alcune persone che assumono farmaci antiretrovirali sviluppano cambiamenti nel modo in cui il grasso corporeo è distribuito nel corpo. Questo può comportare cambiamenti nell'immagine corporea. Il tuo medico discuterà con te la possibilità di questo.

• Anche se il trattamento con farmaci antiretrovirali può ridurre il rischio di trasmettere l'HIV ad altri attraverso il contatto sessuale, non lo elimina completamente. È importante che usi i preservativi.

• Non è raro che le persone con HIV si sentano giù o addirittura depresse, soprattutto subito dopo che è stata fatta la diagnosi e iniziato il trattamento. Se hai sentimenti di depressione o pensieri angoscianti riguardo al farti del male, dovresti parlarne con il tuo medico immediatamente.

• Tenofovir has been associated with a serious side-effect in some people who have taken it. This is known as lactic acidosis. It is a problem where there is too much lactic acid in the blood. The symptoms associated with it are listed in the next section 'Can tenofovir cause problems?'. If you develop any of the symptoms listed below, you must let your doctor know immediatamente, as they can worsen, and may even become life-threatening.

• Alcune persone che hanno assunto farmaci antiretrovirali (soprattutto per un lungo periodo) hanno sviluppato una condizione chiamata osteonecrosi. Questa è una malattia ossea in cui il tessuto osseo muore a causa di una ridotta fornitura di sangue. Porta a dolori articolari e rigidità, e può causare difficoltà nei movimenti. Se noti uno di questi sintomi, parla con il tuo medico.

• If you buy any medicines, supplements or herbal remedies 'over the counter', check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with tenofovir and your other medicines. This is because some medicines interfere with antiretrovirals and can stop them from working properly.

• Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentistico, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.

• Treatment for HIV is usually lifelong. Continue to take tenofovir regularly for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you feel well. This is to keep your immune system healthy.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with tenofovir. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. You should, however, speak with your doctor if you develop any of the following side-effects. This is because some of the common side-effects of tenofovir are similar to the symptoms of lactic acidosis - a less common but more serious problem.

Your doctor will discuss with you the possibility of lactic acidosis occurring. Let your doctor know straightaway if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), tummy (abdominal) pain, loss of appetite, loss of weight, feeling weak or dizzy, and fast or gasping breathing.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti al medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista per ulteriori consigli.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.