Generic Name: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Pronunciation: VEER-ee-ad
Abbreviation: TDF
Drug Class: Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
Company: Gilead Sciences
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: Yes
Drug Indication
A component of many recommended and alternative treatment regimens for antiretroviral-naive people living with HIV, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Visit https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv-guidelines/0 for the full DHHS guidelines.
General Info
Viread is an HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Viread was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by people living with HIV in 2001. Viread, as a component of Truvada, was approved for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV among those at high risk in July 2012.
Viread is available as a single drug or in the fixed-dosed combination drugs Atripla, Complera, Genvoya, Stribild, and Truvada.
Viread must be used in combination with other HIV drugs.
Dosage
Adult Dose: One 300mg tablet once a day.
Pediatric Dose: Age 2 to 12 years: dosing based on body weight and should not exceed adult daily dose. Age 12 years and older and weighing more than 77lbs (35kg): one 300mg tablet once a day.
Dosing Info: Take with or without food. If Viread is taken with Videx EC (didanosine), it can increase didanosine levels in the blood by as much as 60%, causing increased side effects.
Side Effects
Common side effects among people using Viread as a component of a treatment regimen include: diarrhea, nausea, and headache.
Viread may lead to new or worsening kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may order creatinine clearance (CrCl) tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with a Viread-containing regimen. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may adjust your medication doses or switch your Viread for other HIV medications.
Viread may lead to bone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.
If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) and take Viread, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking Viread. Do not stop taking Viread without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Drug Interactions
For a review of drug interactions, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements that should not be taken with Viread or may require dose adjustments, consult the Viread package insert: http://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/viread/viread_pi.pdf
Other Info
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or any previous experience with a regimen containing abacavir. In addition, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, if you are breastfeeding, and all your medical conditions, including all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking.
For More Info: http://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/viread/viread_pi.pdf
Co-Pay Program Info: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/PAPs_Copays_19740.shtml
Patient Assistance Program Info: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/PAPs_Copays_19740.shtml
Last Reviewed: February 26, 2018
