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

mild nauseousness
diarrhea
gas
headache
sinus infection
sore throat
dizziness
itchiness or skin rash
difficulty sleeping
minor loss of strength
inability to have sex or loss of desire to have sex

Lactic Acidosis and 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

Limit your use of alcohol while taking Viread, this can cause further liver damage.

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

If you have HIV, avoid having unprotected sex with others. Also be sure not to share razors or toothbrushes to prevent spreading the infection.

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