Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Viread

Brand Names: Canada

AG-Tenofovir; APO-Tenofovir; Auro-Tenofovir; JAMP-Tenofovir; MINT-Tenofovir; MYLAN-Tenofovir Disoproxil; NAT-Tenofovir; PMS-Tenofovir; RIVA-Tenofovir; TEVA-Tenofovir; Viread

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat HIV infection.
• It is used to treat hepatitis B infection.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

For all uses of this drug:

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child is taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If your child is taking adefovir.
• If your child is taking any drugs that can raise the chance of kidney problems. There are many drugs that can do this. Ask the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Treating HIV infection:

• If your child is pregnant, may become pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. Before giving this drug to your child, you will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby. You will also need to talk about the best way for your child to prevent passing HIV to the baby.

Hepatitis B infection:

• If your child is pregnant or may become pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby. To prevent passing hepatitis B to your child’s baby, the baby may need to receive other treatment (hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine) after birth.
• If your child is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby. Talk with the doctor if your child’s baby did not receive hepatitis B immune globulin or hepatitis B vaccine after birth.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

For all uses of this drug:

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Bone problems like bone pain, soft bones, and thin bones have happened. This may lead to broken bones. Your child may need to have a bone test.
• Give calcium and vitamin D as you were told by your child’s doctor.
• Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• Kidney problems like kidney failure have happened with this drug. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has ever had kidney problems.
• Rarely, this drug may cause a swollen liver and a buildup of acid in the blood. Sometimes, this may be deadly. The risk may be higher in females, in overweight people, and in people who have taken drugs like this one for a long time.
• If giving this drug to your child and your child’s weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this drug may need to be changed.

Treating HIV infection:

• This drug is not a cure for HIV. Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by the doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well. Be sure your child stays under the care of the doctor and has regular appointments.
• This drug helps to lower how much HIV is in the blood. Lowering the amount of HIV in the blood until it is not detected on blood tests can help lower the risk of spreading HIV to others. There are also other ways to help prevent the spread of HIV to others. This includes using condoms during sex and not sharing needles and other injection equipment. Talk with your child’s doctor or other health care provider about the best way to prevent spreading HIV to others.
• Hepatitis B testing needs to be done as you were told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.

Hepatitis B infection:

• This drug is not a cure for hepatitis infection. Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by the doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well. Be sure your child stays under the care of the doctor and has regular appointments.
• This drug does not stop the spread of hepatitis to others through blood, body fluids, or having sex. Be sure your child does not have any kind of sex without using a condom. Be sure needles and other injection equipment are not shared. Be sure personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them like toothbrushes or razors are not shared. Talk with your child’s doctor or other health care provider about safe sex and other ways to have your child prevent spreading hepatitis to others.
• Your child will need to have an HIV test as you were told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

For all uses of this drug:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of too much lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) like fast breathing, fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad upset stomach or throwing up, feeling very sleepy, shortness of breath, feeling very tired or weak, very bad dizziness, feeling cold, or muscle pain or cramps.
• Depression.
• Bone pain.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Pain in arms or legs.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.

Treating HIV infection:

• Changes in your child’s immune system can happen when your child starts taking drugs to treat HIV. If your child has an infection that you did not know was there, it may show up when your child takes this drug. Tell your child’s doctor right away if your child has any new signs after starting this drug, even after taking it for several months. This includes signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Trouble sleeping.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• It is important that your child does not miss or skip a dose of this drug during treatment.
• Do not run out of this drug.

Tablets:

• Give this drug with or without food.

Powder:

• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Use only the scoop that comes with the powder to measure powder.
• Mix powder with 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 120 mL) of a soft food like applesauce, baby food, or yogurt. Have your child swallow right away without chewing. Chewing the food may make it taste very bad.
• Do not mix with any liquid.
• Wash and dry the scoop after each use. Do not store it in the bottle.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if your child misses a dose, call the doctor.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store in the original container at room temperature.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2022-04-26

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