Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil

Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil is a combination antiretroviral medication used in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. It combines three antiretroviral agents in a single pill: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil.

Composition

The medication is a fixed-dose combination of three antiretroviral drugs: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil. Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), and tenofovir disoproxil is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI).

Usage

Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil is used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and children who weigh at least 40 kilograms. It is also used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection in people at high risk.

Side Effects

Common side effects include rash, nausea, and headache. Serious side effects may include liver problems, lactic acidosis, and worsening hepatitis B among those already infected.

Pharmacology

Efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil all work by inhibiting the action of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that HIV uses to replicate its genetic material. By blocking this enzyme, the medication prevents the virus from multiplying, which reduces the amount of virus in the body (viral load) and helps the immune system to recover.

History

The combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil was approved for medical use in the United States in 2006. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

See Also

• Antiretroviral therapy
• HIV/AIDS
• Efavirenz
• Emtricitabine
• Tenofovir disoproxil