tenofovir disoproxil at a glance
Medicine class
Nucleotide reverse-transcriptase inhibitor antiviral.
Main uses
HIV-1 combination treatment and chronic hepatitis B treatment.
Administration
Take the film-coated tablet by mouth with food.
Monitoring
Kidney function and phosphate require assessment before and during treatment.
What is tenofovir disoproxil used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
HIV-1 in adults, with other antiretroviral medicines.
HIV-1 in certain adolescents when resistance or toxicity limits first-line options.
Chronic hepatitis B in specified adults, including those with compensated or decompensated liver disease.
Immune-active chronic hepatitis B in specified adolescents with compensated liver disease.
How does tenofovir disoproxil work?
The body converts tenofovir disoproxil into tenofovir diphosphate. This blocks viral reverse transcriptase or hepatitis B polymerase and stops the growing viral DNA chain, reducing viral replication.
tenofovir disoproxil preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 245 mg
How to take tenofovir disoproxil
Follow the specialist’s instructions. Take the tablet with food and swallow it with liquid. In exceptional circumstances, this product may be disintegrated in water, orange juice or grape juice; ask a pharmacist or specialist first.
Do not stop without specialist advice, particularly with hepatitis B, because hepatitis may worsen.
Tell the clinic if swallowing is difficult so an appropriate formulation or method can be considered.
tenofovir disoproxil side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or headache
- Rash
- Abdominal discomfort, bloating or wind
- Weakness or tiredness
- Reduced blood phosphate or bone mineral density
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic swelling of the face, lips, tongue or airway
- Kidney injury or renal tubule dysfunction
- Lactic acidosis
- Pancreatitis
- Bone softening or fractures
- Severe liver inflammation or worsening hepatitis after stopping treatment
tenofovir disoproxil in pregnancy
Substantial pregnancy experience has not identified increased malformation or fetal toxicity risk. Tenofovir disoproxil may be considered when needed and may sometimes be used by specialists to reduce hepatitis B transmission to the baby. Discuss pregnancy or pregnancy planning with the HIV or liver team.
tenofovir disoproxil while breastfeeding
With hepatitis B, breastfeeding is generally compatible when the baby receives recommended birth prevention measures; tenofovir exposure through milk is very low. With HIV, formula feeding is safest because it removes postnatal transmission risk. Breastfeeding with a consistently suppressed HIV viral load requires advance multidisciplinary planning and close monitoring.
tenofovir disoproxil interactions
Review all prescribed, non-prescription and recreational substances for kidney toxicity and antiretroviral duplication.
Other tenofovir disoproxil or tenofovir alafenamide products
Avoid duplication because exposure and toxicity may increase.
Adefovir dipivoxil
Concurrent use should be avoided.
Didanosine
Tenofovir increases didanosine exposure; concurrent use is not recommended.
Nephrotoxic medicines
Common questions about tenofovir disoproxil
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is it used alone to treat HIV?
No. The selected product is licensed for HIV-1 treatment only with other antiretroviral medicines.
Does it cure hepatitis B?
It suppresses viral replication and helps limit liver damage, but does not usually eliminate the infection. Hepatitis may worsen after stopping.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.