Viread Side Effects

Serious Side Effects of Viread

Serious, adverse reactions may be caused by Viread. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms:

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), upset stomach or stomach pain, darkened urine and clay colored stools can be signs of liver damage
• infection: fevers, chills, soreness of the throat, bruising easily, abnormal bleeding, upset stomach and sores in the mouth
• depression and nervousness
• high cholesterol
• sweating, trembling hands, feeling anxious or agitated and trouble sleeping
• diarrhea, abnormal bowel movements or trouble controlling your bowel or bladder
• rapid weight loss
• changes in menstrual cycle
• inflammation of the neck or throat (thyroid)
• strong pain in the lower back and lack of bladder of bowel control
• trouble walking, breathing or eating, speaking or seeing
• changes in the location or appearance of fat on the body, particularly fat in the arms, legs, face, neck, breasts or waist can signify angiodema

Common Side Effects of Viread

Viread may increase the possibility of developing lactic acidosis. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include the following:

• loss of strength
• feeling numb or cold in your arms or legs
• stomach aching or cramping
• persistent vomiting
• rapid or irregular heart rate
• feeling dizzy or drowsy
• difficulty breathing
• weight loss

Warnings & Recalls for Viread

Viread Black Box Warnings

Viread has received a black box warning due to the risk of patients developing lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid). See "Side Effects" tab for information about signs of this imbalance. If you have symptoms of lactic acidosis, seek medical attention immediately. Viread has also received this warning due to the exacerbation of hepatitis B in patients who suffer from this condition. Patients with hepatitis B should be closely monitored for symptoms in the initial stages of treatment .

Viread and Pregnancy

Viread is an FDA pregnancy Category B medication. Viread is not known to cause harm to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. However, HIV infections may be passed to the baby and should be treated. Viread can be passed through breast-milk to a nursing baby. Do not breastfeed your baby if you have HIV or AIDS as it may be passed to the nursing baby. Patients being treated with Viread for hepatitis B should not breastfeed.

Viread Interactions

Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, vitamins or herbal products you may be using. Some drugs may interfere with Viread. Do not use medicines containing adefovir or other medicines which may include a combination of tenofovir. Some drugs that may interact with Viread include:

• other treatments for HIV or AIDS
• Hepsera
• lithium
• methotrexate
• pain killers
• arthritis medicines
• ulcerative colitis treating drugs
• medications for preventing the rejection of organ transplants
• antibiotics and antivirals
• osteoporosis or bone disease treaments

General Information

Let your doctor know about any of the following you may have before taking Viread

• any allergies
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• bone disorders
• a history of drinking large amounts of alcohol

 

Viread Treatment and Use

Viread |tenofovir is an antiviral nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTIs) class medicine marketed by Gilead Sciences and approved in 2001 for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B. Viread may also be prescribed for preventing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in patients who have HIV, or for treating chronic Hepatitis B.

Viread may be taken alone or with other medicines to treat these conditions.

Viread does not cure HIV or AIDS and should not be used to treat HIV in patients under the age of 2 or for treating patients under 18 years old with hepatitis.

How Does Viread Work?

HIV infections spread throughout the body by converting RNA to DNA and infecting cells. Viread works to prevent this by releasing reverse transcriptase into the bloodstream to block the process. When this reverse transcriptase forms DNA in the body, HIV is no longer able to reproduce in these cells and the growth of the infection is prevented.

Viread Dosage Information

Viread comes in tablet or powder form to be taken orally.Take Viread only as directed by your doctor. Use all medications prescribed to you by your healthcare provider for treating your condition. If you have kidney or liver disease or disorders, your doctor may lower your dose of Viread to prevent harm.

Viread is typically prescribed as a 300mg tablet to be taken once every day with food. Swallow pills whole with a full glass of water.

Viread oral powder should be mixed with soft foods, such as applesauce or  yogurt. Viread powder should not be combined with a liquid.

While taking Viread, your liver function and blood may need to be tested on a regular basis.

Other Names for Viread

Brand name:

• Viread

Generic name:

• Tenofovir

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Viread