Emtricitabine

Emtricitabine is used with other medications to treat HIV infection in patients with or without AIDS. Emtricitabine is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). This medication works by slowing the spread of HIV in the body. Emtricitabine does not cure HIV infection and may not prevent you from developing HIV-related illnesses. Emtricitabine does not prevent you from spreading HIV to other people.

Emtricitabine comes as a capsule, a tablet, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take emtricitabine at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take emtricitabine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Emtricitabine controls HIV infection but does not cure it. Continue to take emtricitabine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking emtricitabine without talking to your doctor. When your supply of emtricitabine starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss doses or stop taking emtricitabine, your condition may become more difficult to treat. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Emtricitabine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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headache</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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change in skin color, especially on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet</li>
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indigestion</li>
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joint pain</li>
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unusual dreams</li>
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depression</li>
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trouble falling asleep or staying asleep</li>
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numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs</li>
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runny nose</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

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fever, chills, sore throat, cough, or other signs of infection</li>
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rash</li></ul>Emtricitabine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking emtricitabine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to emtricitabine or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, any type of infection that does not go away or that comes and goes such as tuberculosis (TB; a type of lung infection) or cytomegalovirus (CMV; a viral infection that may cause symptoms in patients with weak immune systems) or kidney disease. you should know that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts and upper back.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.