tenofovir alafenamide fumarate at a glance
Medicine class
Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor antiviral
Licensed use
Chronic hepatitis B in eligible adults and children
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet with food
Important
Treatment does not prevent hepatitis B spreading through blood or sexual contact
What is tenofovir alafenamide fumarate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Chronic hepatitis B in adults.
Chronic hepatitis B in children aged 6 years and older who weigh at least 25 kg.
How does tenofovir alafenamide fumarate work?
It enters liver cells and is converted to tenofovir and then active tenofovir diphosphate. This blocks hepatitis B reverse transcriptase and stops viral DNA formation, reducing replication.
tenofovir alafenamide fumarate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg
How to take tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Follow your hepatitis specialist’s instructions. The selected film-coated tablet is swallowed with food.
Do not stop treatment without specialist advice because hepatitis B can flare after withdrawal.
tenofovir alafenamide fumarate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain, bloating or wind
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Joint pain
- Rash or itching
- Raised ALT on blood testing
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or hives
- Clinically significant kidney impairment or proximal renal tubule injury
- Severe worsening of hepatitis after treatment is stopped
tenofovir alafenamide fumarate in pregnancy
Available pregnancy outcomes have not indicated malformation or fetal or newborn toxicity, and treatment may be considered when necessary. Pregnancy with hepatitis B should be managed by specialist maternity and liver teams. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.
tenofovir alafenamide fumarate while breastfeeding
Hepatitis B does not automatically prevent breastfeeding, but the selected product’s UK information advises against its use while breastfeeding because it enters milk and its effects on infants are insufficiently known. Discuss treatment and feeding with your specialist team rather than stopping treatment yourself.
tenofovir alafenamide fumarate interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before treatment. Important examples include:
Rifampicin, rifabutin or rifapentine
These can lower tenofovir alafenamide exposure and reduce its antiviral effect; combined use is not recommended.
Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital or phenytoin
These can lower tenofovir alafenamide exposure; combined use is not recommended.
St John's wort
It can lower tenofovir alafenamide exposure and should not be combined with it.
Common questions about tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is tenofovir alafenamide fumarate used for?
It is licensed to suppress chronic hepatitis B in eligible adults and children.
Does it cure hepatitis B?
It suppresses viral replication and helps control the infection, but should not be regarded as a cure.
Should it be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.