Emtricitabine and tenofovir are medicines that terminate formation of viral genetic material (DNA) by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is responsible for viral DNA synthesis. TAFBIN is used in combination with other antiviral medicines for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and older with body weight of at least 35 kg).
1. What TAFBIN is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take TAFBIN
Do not take TAFBIN:
- If you are allergic to emtricitabine, tenofovir or any of the other ingredients of TAFBIN listed in section 6
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your child.
Warnings and precautions
The current anti-retroviral therapy does not prevent the risk of transmitting HIV through sexual contact or blood contamination. Ensure that you make use of barrier contraception (e.g., condoms) during sexual intercourse to prevent the unnecessary spreading of the virus.
Take special care with TAFBIN:
- If you are infected with HIV as well as hepatitis B or C as TAFBIN may cause fatal side effects to your liver.
- If you have liver disease, as using TAFBIN may cause a condition known as hepatomegaly (enlarging of your liver).
- TAFBIN may cause you to gain weight and increase the levels of glucose (sugar) and lipids (fats) in your blood.
- TAFBIN may cause mitochondrial dysfunction (when your cells do not work properly) which may result in blood disorders such as anaemia (decreased red blood cell count), neutropenia (decrease in white blood cell count), nerve damage and metabolic disorders.
- TAFBIN may initially affect your immune system causing you to develop opportunistic infections (such as the common cold). You should remain under close monitoring by your doctor as he will need to treat these infections as well as monitor your CD4 count and viral load.
- If you are infected with HIV-1 and have the K65R mutation.
- If you have advanced HIV-disease, you may be at risk of developing bone death while taking TAFBIN. You should consult your doctor immediately if you start to experience joint aches and pain, joint stiffness or difficulty in moving while taking TAFBIN.
- TAFBIN may cause damage to your kidneys.
- If you have kidney failure.
If you are taking other medicines for treating HIV infection, such as atazanavir, lopinavir and darunavir.
If you are taking medicines to treat seizures such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbitone and phenytoin.
If you are taking medicines known as antimycobacterials, which are used to treat TB, such as rifampicin, rifabutin and rifapentine.
If you are taking a medicine known as boceprevir as well as a herbal product called St. john’s wort. Please inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines in addition to all those listed above.
Children
Children must not take TAFBIN.
Other medicines and TAFBIN
Always tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicine. This includes all complementary and traditional medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Other medicines for treating HIV-1 infection, such as atazanavir, cobicistat, ritonavir, darunavir etc.
- If you are taking medicines that are eliminated by your kidneys and these may increase the concentration of emtricitabine, one of the components of TAFBIN, in your body.
3. How to take TAFBIN
Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take TAFBIN exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist or nurse told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
The usual dose is one tablet once daily, with or without food. Do not chew, crush or split the tablet.
If you take more TAFBIN you should In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.
If you forget to take TAFBIN
Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses. If you miss a dose of TAFBIN within 18 hours of the time it is usually taken, then take your dose as soon as possible and resume your normal dosing schedule. If you miss a dose of TAFBIN by more than 18 hours, then do not take the missed dose and simply resume your normal dosing schedule. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking TAFBIN, another tablet should be taken.
4. Possible side effects
TAFBIN can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for TAFBIN are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking TAFBIN, please consult your health care provider for advice.
If any of the following happens, stop taking TAFBIN and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:
- Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips and mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- Rash or itching
- Fainting.
These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
Frequent side effects
- Abnormal dreams
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- Fatigue.
Less frequent side effects
- Anaemia (decreased red blood cell count)
- Dyspepsia (indigestion or heartburn)
- Arthralgia (joint pain).
If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of side effects
If you get side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of TAFBIN. You may also report any suspected side effects (to Cipla Medpro (Pty) Ltd.) by e-mail: [email protected] or telephone: 080 222 6662 (toll free).
5. How to store TAFBIN
Store in the original container at or below 30 °C. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Store all medicines out of reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the label. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist. Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g., toilets).