Emtricitabine
Generic name: emtricitabine [ em-trye-SYE-ta-been ]
Brand name: Emtriva
Dosage forms: oral capsule (200 mg); oral solution (10 mg/mL)
Drug class:Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
What is emtricitabine?
Emtricitabine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.
Emtricitabine is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Emtricitabine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Emtricitabine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Do not take Emtriva if you also take other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine.
Emtricitabine may cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking emtricitabine, even months after stopping.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take emtricitabine if you are allergic to emtricitabine.
Do not take Emtriva if you also use other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine (such as Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Dutrebis, Epivir, Epzicom, Genvoya, Odefsey, Stribild, Triumeq, or Trizivir).
To make sure emtricitabine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease (especially hepatitis B); or
kidney disease.
Some people taking this medicine develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk.
HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of...
