Tenofovir Disoproxil

3 medicines

Tenofovir disoproxil is an antiviral used to treat HIV and chronic hepatitis B and to prevent HIV infection; it can reduce kidney function and bone density, so regular monitoring is required, and stopping it can trigger a severe hepatitis B flare.

Natdac

Tenofovir disoproxil, Daclatasvir, Sofosbuvir

60mg

Natdac is a hiv medication containing Tenofovir disoproxil + Daclatasvir + Sofosbuvir, available as 60mg tablets.

from $6.26 / tablet View

Tenofovir

Tenofovir disoproxil

300mg

Tenofovir is a hiv medication containing Tenofovir disoproxil, available as 300mg tablets.

from $5.30 / tablet View

Viropil

Dolutegravir, Lamivudine, Tenofovir disoproxil

50/300/300mg

Viropil is a hiv medication containing Dolutegravir + Lamivudine + Tenofovir disoproxil, available as 50/300/300mg tablets.

from $6.24 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Tenofovir disoproxil (in Viread and combinations like Truvada) is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor that stops HIV and hepatitis B virus from copying their genetic material.
  • You take it once daily as a tablet, usually alongside other antiviral drugs.
  • It can reduce kidney function and bone mineral density, so blood and urine tests are done before you start and periodically during treatment.
  • If you have hepatitis B, stopping this medicine can cause a sudden, severe flare of the infection; never stop without medical supervision.

What tenofovir disoproxil treats

Tenofovir disoproxil treats chronic HIV infection, as part of combination antiretroviral therapy, and chronic hepatitis B. Combined with emtricitabine, it is also used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of getting HIV in people at ongoing high risk of exposure. It suppresses viral replication but does not cure either infection.

How tenofovir disoproxil works

Inside cells, tenofovir disoproxil converts to its active form, tenofovir diphosphate. This resembles a natural building block of viral DNA, but when the virus's reverse transcriptase enzyme uses it, the DNA chain stops growing, so the virus cannot make new copies of itself.

Before you take it

  • Tell your prescriber about kidney disease, low bone density, or if you take other drugs that strain the kidneys, such as regular NSAIDs or certain antibiotics.
  • If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, this medicine treats both; if you ever stop it, your liver will need close monitoring for several months afterward.
  • If you use it as PrEP, you need regular HIV testing to confirm you remain HIV-negative; it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
  • Report reduced urination, new bone pain, or unusual muscle weakness promptly.

Side effects

Common effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache, tiredness, and mild stomach pain.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Reduced urine output or swelling in the ankles, which can signal kidney injury.
  • Unusual bone pain or a fracture from minor injury.
  • Muscle weakness with breathing difficulty, which can signal a rare but serious buildup of acid in the blood.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, especially after stopping the drug if you have hepatitis B.

Safety essentials

  • Kidney function and bone density are checked before starting and monitored regularly during treatment; your dose may be adjusted or the drug switched if kidney function declines.
  • If you have hepatitis B, never stop tenofovir disoproxil without your doctor's guidance. Abruptly stopping can cause a severe, sometimes life-threatening flare of the liver infection.
  • Tell every prescriber that you take this medicine, since many common drugs add to the burden on the kidneys when combined with it.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.