Safely Buy Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir ( Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir are antiviral medicines used to treat adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

They are commonly used together in a single pill called Atripla, which contains efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

These medications work by blocking the replication of the virus in the body, helping to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and improving the immune system.

Take these medications as directed by a healthcare provider and continue taking them even if you feel well, as stopping treatment can lead to the virus becoming resistant to the medication.

Use and Dosage

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime. Taking this medication at bedtime helps to decrease some of the side effects. Because this combination product has fixed doses of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, you should only use it if your doctor has determined that the doses of all 3 medications in this product are right for you.

It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.

For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Serious side effects include:

• A seizure
• Hallucinations, trouble concentrating, or trouble speaking or moving (these symptoms may occur months or years after you start taking efavirenz)
• Nervous system problems–dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, trouble concentrating, strange dreams, insomnia, or problems with speech, balance, or muscle movement
• Serious psychiatric symptoms–anxiety, paranoia, unusual behavior, feeling sad or hopeless, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts
• Liver problems–nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Psychiatric symptoms or nervous system problems may happen even months or years after you have been taking Efavirenz.

Efavirenz affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you have taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• Signs of a new infection–fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, or weight loss
• Trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness, or prickly feeling
• Swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence

Common side effects of efavirenz may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, drowsiness, or trouble concentrating
• Rash
• Headache or tired feeling
• Sleep problems (insomnia) or strange dreams
• Changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

Before taking efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of the ingredients; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), mental/mood conditions (such as depression, thoughts of suicide, psychosis), drug/substance/alcohol abuse, seizures, high cholesterol/triglyceride levels, bone problems (such as bone disease, bone loss/osteoporosis, weak/broken bones), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, and fainting) that need medical attention right away.

The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics “water pills”) or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir safely.

This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy, or cause trouble. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can worsen these effects. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may also worsen the side effects of this medication (such as liver problems, pancreatitis, and mental/mood symptoms). Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

A rash may be more common and serious in children taking this medication. Report any rash right away. The doctor may prescribe an antihistamine for your child to take before this medication is started. Consult the doctor for more information.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when needed. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby, and efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir may be part of that treatment. Women of childbearing age should ask about reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication and for 12 weeks after stopping treatment. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breastfeed.

Form and Strengths

Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir is available in the following form and strengths:

• Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Tablet:
  • 600/200/300 mg

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescriptions refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

What should I avoid while taking efavirenz?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how efavirenz will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of efavirenz.

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144754/efavirenz-emtricitabine-tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate-oral/details
2. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/efavirenz.html#side-effects
3. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2e97aa6d-09f7-46df-9499-63db7e9bac35