tenofovir disoproxil fumarate at a glance
Medicine class
Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor antiviral
Main uses
HIV treatment in combination and treatment of chronic hepatitis B
Food
Take with food to improve absorption
Important monitoring
Kidney function and blood phosphate require monitoring
What is tenofovir disoproxil fumarate used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
HIV-1 infection in adults, with other antiretroviral medicines.
HIV-1 infection in selected children and adolescents, depending on age, formulation, resistance history and previous toxicity.
Chronic hepatitis B in adults with specified evidence of active or advanced liver disease, including lamivudine-resistant infection.
Chronic hepatitis B in eligible children and adolescents with immune-active disease; granules are an option when a solid formulation is unsuitable.
How does tenofovir disoproxil fumarate work?
The body converts this prodrug into tenofovir and then active tenofovir diphosphate. This competes with natural DNA building blocks and stops viral DNA formation, inhibiting HIV reverse transcriptase and hepatitis B virus polymerase.
tenofovir disoproxil fumarate preparations and strengths
Granules
Route: Oral
Strengths: 33 mg/g
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 123 mg, 163 mg, 204 mg, 245 mg
How to take tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Follow the product-specific instructions, take it with food and do not stop treatment without specialist advice.
Swallow film-coated tablets as directed. In exceptional circumstances, the selected tablet may be dispersed in water, orange juice or grape juice.
Measure granules only with the supplied scoop. Mix them with soft food that does not need chewing, swallow the whole mixture immediately and do not mix them with liquids.
tenofovir disoproxil fumarate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Dizziness or headache
- Rash
- Abdominal discomfort, bloating or wind
- Weakness or tiredness
- Reduced blood phosphate or bone mineral density detected by monitoring
Get urgent medical advice
- Deep, rapid breathing, drowsiness, vomiting and stomach pain, which may indicate lactic acidosis
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- Changes in urine, excessive thirst, back pain or marked weakness suggesting kidney tubule injury
- Persistent or worsening bone pain or fractures
- Severe abdominal pain that may indicate pancreatitis
tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in pregnancy
Available pregnancy data have not shown an increased risk of malformations or fetal or newborn toxicity. Use may be considered when clinically necessary. Specialist advice is important because treatment may be needed for the parent’s infection or to reduce hepatitis B transmission alongside newborn immunisation measures.
tenofovir disoproxil fumarate while breastfeeding
Tenofovir reaches breast milk at very low levels. Mothers with hepatitis B may generally breastfeed when the baby has received appropriate prevention at birth. People living with HIV should discuss infant feeding with their specialist team; the selected SmPC recommends not breastfeeding to avoid HIV transmission.
tenofovir disoproxil fumarate interactions
Check the full medication list, including non-prescription painkillers, before treatment.
Other products containing tenofovir disoproxil or tenofovir alafenamide
Avoid duplicate tenofovir exposure because toxicity, particularly renal toxicity, may increase.
Adefovir dipivoxil
Concurrent use is not recommended.
Didanosine
Tenofovir can increase didanosine exposure and has been associated with reduced CD4 counts, pancreatitis, lactic acidosis and virological failure.
Common questions about tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What infections does tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treat?
It is licensed for HIV-1 treatment and chronic hepatitis B in eligible patients. The exact indication depends on age, clinical features and formulation.
Is tenofovir disoproxil fumarate used alone for HIV?
No. For HIV it must be used as part of an appropriate combination antiretroviral regimen.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.