Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (Truvada) is a fixed-dose combination preparation for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, containing two active ingredients: emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).
How to Use Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (Truvada)
Routine Dosing Regimen
The standard recommended dose of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets is one tablet (200mg emtricitabine/300mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) once daily, which can be taken with or without food.
It is recommended to take the medicine at a fixed time every day to maintain a stable plasma drug concentration.
For treatment-naive patients, a comprehensive baseline assessment should be conducted before starting treatment, including tests for HIV-1 RNA level, CD4 cell count, and renal function.
Pre-Medication Testing Requirements
Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Serum creatinine test.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurement.
Urine glucose and urine protein tests.
For patients with chronic kidney disease, serum phosphorus level testing is also required.
Combined Use with Other Drugs
Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets usually need to be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs to form a complete treatment regimen.
Common clinical combination regimens include combination with integrase inhibitors (such as dolutegravir) or protease inhibitors (such as darunavir).
This drug should not be used alone as a complete treatment regimen for HIV-1 infection.
Dose Adjustment of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (Truvada)
Dose Adjustment for Patients with Renal Impairment
For patients with an eGFR of 30-49 mL/min: The dosing frequency is recommended to be adjusted to once every 48 hours.
For patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min: Use of this drug is not recommended.
For patients with end-stage renal disease: This drug is contraindicated.
Dose Adjustment for Patients with Hepatic Impairment
For patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A or B), dose adjustment of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets is usually not required.
For patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C), the risk-benefit ratio should be carefully evaluated before deciding whether to use the drug, and enhanced monitoring of liver function should be considered.
Medication for Special Populations of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets (Truvada)
Medication for Pregnant Women
The use of emtricitabine during pregnancy does not increase the risk of congenital malformations, but tenofovir has been shown in animal studies to potentially affect fetal bone development.
When pregnant women use Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets, they should:
1. Fully evaluate the risk-benefit ratio.
2. Enhance prenatal monitoring.
3. Consider monitoring fetal bone mineral density in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Medication for Lactating Women
Since HIV-1 can be transmitted through breast milk, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that mothers infected with HIV-1 should not breastfeed.
Both emtricitabine and tenofovir can be excreted into breast milk, which may have an impact on breastfed infants.
Women using Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets should avoid breastfeeding.
Medication for Pediatric Patients
Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Tablets can be used in adolescents with a body weight of ≥ 35 kg, and the dosing regimen is the same as that for adults.
For pediatric patients with a body weight of < 35 kg, other more suitable dosage forms or formulations should be considered.
Special attention should be paid to monitoring the growth and development of pediatric patients during medication.
