Description

Taficita (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide) is a prescription medication indicated for managing HIV-1 infection in patients aged over 12 years and body weight at least 35 kgs. Taficita tablet (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide) doesn’t cure HIV-1 infection but reduces its spread by decreasing the number of viruses in the system. Additionally, it boosts our immune system to fight against HIV-related severe ailments (opportunistic infections or cancer).

The combinational anti-viral drug consists of emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg which is taken along with the other antiretrovirals. The third agent could either be dolutegravir, efavirenz, raltegravir, or rilpivirine. The tablet (emtricitabine 200 mg + tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) is devoured once daily orally with or without food.

Due to the severe liver complications in HIV-1 and Hepatitis B co-infected patients, Taficita tablet (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide) is avoided in patients with HBV infection. Additionally, it is not recommended in patients with kidney problems (renal impairment with creatine clearance of less than 30 mL per minute) Hence, before starting the dosing regimen, it is important,

• To carry out tests for examining the functioning of kidney and liver
• If needed, provide anti-viral medicines for controlling the HBV infection

When should Taficita tablet (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide) be avoided or used cautiously:

Sudden event of Hepatitis B in patients with HBV Co-infection post-therapy:

There are chances of acquiring sudden events of HBV infection who stopped the drug in between the regimen cycle. These events mostly occur in HBV and HIV-1 co-infected patients

Immune reconstitution syndrome:

If patients are seen with any form of infection, look for signs of inflammation from previous infections before starting the anti-HIV treatment

Lactic Acidosis and Severe Hepatomegaly:

Taficita (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide) should be avoided if patients are seen with symptoms of,

Lactic acidosis (an excessive amount of lactic acid in the blood)
Severe hepatomegaly (enlarged liver beyond its size)
Steatosis (accumulation of abnormal fats in the liver cells)

Drug interactions:

Inform your health provider if you are taking any other medicines including herbal supplements, vitamins, calcium and over-the-counter drugs

Pregnancy-related issues:

Avoid Taficita (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide), if the patients are pregnant or planning to get pregnant

Side-effects of Taficita tablet (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir Alafenamide):

Most common side-effect: Nausea

Other uncommon side-effects:

• Pain in the bones
• Decreased urination or dark coloured urine
• Chills especially in the arms or legs
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Yellowing of skin and eyes (Jaundice)
• Pain in the muscles
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Difficulty in breathing
• Loss of will to eat
• Swelling of face, hands, legs and eyes

Note: These are not all side-effects of the drug, please ask your healthcare provider for more information.

Taficita tablet is also available in these countries: (South East Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Venezuela and Korea.) and many more…