Emtenef
Emtenef is a medicine containing three active substances used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
600 mg / 200 mg / 245 mg
Active Ingredient
Efavirenz
Manufacturer
STADA Arzneimittel AG
How to Use
Dosage
Take one tablet once a day.
Method
Take the tablet whole with water on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal), preferably at bedtime to reduce side effects like dizziness or drowsiness.
Important
The maximum daily dose is one tablet.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Diarrhea
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Rash (red spots or patches, sometimes with blisters or skin swelling)
- •Weakness or fatigue
- •Low blood phosphate levels
- •Increased blood creatine kinase (may cause muscle pain and weakness)
- •Allergic reactions
- •Coordination and balance problems
- •Anxiety or depression
- •Sleep problems, abnormal dreams, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness
- •Stomach pain
- •Indigestion, bloating, gas (discomfort after meals, abdominal distension, flatulence)
- •Loss of appetite
- •Itching
- •Skin discoloration (e.g., dark patches on hands or soles)
- •Low white blood cell count (may increase infection risk)
- •Liver or pancreas problems
- •Increased blood fats (triglycerides), bilirubin, or sugar levels
RARE
- •Lactic acidosis (signs include deep, rapid breathing; fatigue; nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain)
- •Severe skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- •Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
- •Serious mental health issues (aggression, suicidal thoughts, strange thoughts, paranoia, inability to think clearly, mood changes, hallucinations, psychosis, catatonia)
- •Pancreatitis (stomach pain due to inflammation of the pancreas)
- •Forgetfulness, confusion, seizures, slurred speech, tremors
- •Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), itching, or stomach pain due to liver inflammation
- •Kidney tubule damage
- •Liver failure (in some cases leading to death or liver transplant)
- •Kidney inflammation, frequent urination, and thirst
- •Back pain due to kidney disease or kidney failure
- •Softening of bones (bone pain, sometimes leading to fractures) due to kidney tubule damage
- •Fatty liver
- •Itchy rash caused by sun exposure
- •Muscle breakdown, muscle pain or weakness
- •Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- •Vertigo, ringing or whistling in ears
- •Blurred vision
- •Chills
- •Male breast enlargement
- •Decreased sex drive
- •Flushing
- •Dry mouth
- •Increased appetite
- •Low blood potassium levels
- •Increased blood creatinine levels
- •Protein in urine
- •Increased cholesterol levels
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to efavirenz, emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil, or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have severe liver disease.
- Do not take if you have certain heart problems, such as an abnormal electrical signal called QT prolongation, which can lead to serious heart rhythm issues.
- Do not take Emtenef with certain other medications, including some for allergies, heart conditions, indigestion, hepatitis C, migraines, sleep, mental health, fungal infections, or opioid dependence. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- You can still transmit HIV to others even when taking this medicine. Discuss prevention methods with your doctor.
Show 5 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney problems. This medicine is not recommended if you have moderate to severe kidney disease.
- If you have a history of mental health issues, depression, or substance abuse, tell your doctor immediately if you feel depressed, have suicidal thoughts, or unusual thoughts.
- Do not become pregnant while taking Emtenef or for 12 weeks after stopping. Do not breastfeed as HIV and the medicine's ingredients can pass into breast milk and harm your baby.
- This medicine can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these effects.
- Do not stop taking Emtenef without talking to your doctor first, especially if you also have Hepatitis B, as this can worsen your condition.