Tenofovir Alafenamide (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

Vemlidy

Descriptions

Tenofovir alafenamide is used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with compensated liver disease.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of tenofovir alafenamide in children younger than 6 years of age or weighing less than 25 kilograms (kg). Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tenofovir alafenamide in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Carbamazepine
Fosphenytoin
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Primidone
Rifampin
St John's Wort

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acyclovir
Adagrasib
Amikacin
Amikacin Liposome
Amiodarone
Amtolmetin Guacil
Apalutamide
Asciminib
Aspirin
Atidarsagene Autotemcel
Berotralstat
Bromfenac
Bufexamac
Capmatinib
Capreomycin
Carvedilol
Celecoxib
Choline Salicylate
Cidofovir
Clarithromycin
Clonazepam
Clonixin
Cobicistat
Conivaptan
Cyclosporine
Darolutamide
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Diclofenac
Diflunisal
Dipyrone
Dronedarone
Droxicam
Eltrombopag
Enasidenib
Encorafenib
Erythromycin
Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Felbinac
Fenoprofen
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Flibanserin
Floctafenine
Flufenamic Acid
Flurbiprofen
Ganciclovir
Gentamicin
Ibuprofen
Indomethacin
Itraconazole
Kanamycin
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Ketorolac
Lapatinib
Leflunomide
Leniolisib
Lornoxicam
Loxoprofen
Lumiracoxib
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic Acid
Meloxicam
Midostaurin
Momelotinib
Morniflumate
Nabumetone
Naproxen
Neomycin
Nepafenac
Netilmicin
Niflumic Acid
Nimesulide
Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
Oxaprozin
Oxcarbazepine
Oxyphenbutazone
Parecoxib
Paromomycin
Phenylbutazone
Piketoprofen
Piroxicam
Plazomicin
Pranoprofen
Proglumetacin
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Quinidine
Ranolazine
Rifabutin
Rifapentine
Ritonavir
Rofecoxib
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Sodium Salicylate
Spectinomycin
Streptomycin
Sulindac
Tafamidis
Telaprevir
Tenoxicam
Teriflunomide
Tiaprofenic Acid
Tipranavir
Tobramycin
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Valacyclovir
Valdecoxib
Valganciclovir
Vemurafenib
Verapamil

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Certain tests may be needed before you start this medicine. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Keep taking tenofovir for the full time of treatment, even if you or your child begins to feel better. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of the medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of the medicine.

It is best to take this medicine with food.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection:
  - Adults and children 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 25 kilograms (kg)—25 milligrams (mg) once a day.
  - Children younger than 6 years of age or weighing less than 25 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep the bottle tightly closed. Use the medicine dispensed only in its original container.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If you also have HIV, your doctor may do tests before starting this medicine. .

Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your infection may get worse if you suddenly stop taking this medicine.

Two rare but serious reactions to this medicine are lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and liver toxicity. These reactions are more common if you are female, have obesity, or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long time. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, muscle cramping or pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, trouble breathing, or yellow skin or eyes.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Agitation
bloody urine
coma
confusion
dark urine
decreased appetite
decreased frequency or amount of urine
diarrhea
dizziness
fast, shallow breathing
general feeling of discomfort
headache
hostility
increased blood pressure
increased thirst
irritability
lethargy
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle pain, cramping, or twitching
nausea and vomiting
right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
seizures
sleepiness
stomach discomfort
stupor
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
weight gain
yellow eyes and skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Acid or sour stomach
belching
cough
difficulty in moving
heartburn
indigestion
joint pain
muscle stiffness

Less common

Back pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tenofovir-alafenamide-oral-route/description/drg-20313020

Tenofovir Alafenamide (Oral Route)