Last Updated on September 2, 2024 by admin
TAFICITA Tablet Overview
TAFICITA Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called antiretrovirals. It is used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). It helps to control HIV infection so your immune system can work better.
Taficita Tablet is not a cure for HIV/AIDS and only helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body. This helps to lower your risk of getting HIV-related complications and improves your lifespan. It may also be used to prevent HIV infection in some people at high risk. It may be prescribed alone or in combination with other HIV medicines. Your doctor will recommend the best medicines for you and will decide the doses that you need. Follow carefully the instructions for all the medicines that you are given. This medicine is best taken with food. Taking these medicines regularly at the right time greatly increases their effectiveness and reduces the chances of HIV becoming resistant to them. It is important not to miss doses and to keep taking them until your doctor tells you it is safe to stop.
Common side effects of this medicine include nausea, diarrhea, headache, trouble sleeping, rash, and dizziness. These are usually not serious but inform your doctor if they bother you or do not go away. It can also increase the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) if you take it for a long time. Exercise regularly and take calcium and vitamin D supplements as suggested by your doctor. Some people put on weight while taking medicines to treat HIV/AIDS.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver or kidney disease or bone problems. While using it, you may need regular blood tests to check your blood counts, liver function, and kidney function. Since this medicine may cause dizziness or sleepiness, do not drive if you experience these symptoms. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using this medicine. Do not have unprotected sex or share personal items like razors or toothbrushes if you are HIV positive. Talk to your doctor about safe ways like condoms to prevent HIV transmission during sex.
USES OF TAFICITA
BENEFITS OF TAFICITA
Taficita Tablet prevents the HIV virus from multiplying in your body. It helps control the infection and makes your immune system work better. This lowers your chances of getting complications such as new infections and improves your quality of life.
It is not a cure of HIV or AIDS and should not be used to prevent HIV after accidental exposure to a risk. It is important that you take this medicine as prescribed, following the dosage recommended by your doctor. Taking all doses in the right amount at the right times greatly increases the effectiveness of your combination of medicines and reduces the chances of your HIV infection becoming resistant to antiretroviral medicines. However, taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people.
SIDE EFFECTS OF TAFICITA
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Taficita
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Depression
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Weakness
- Allergic reaction
- Abnormal dreams
- Decreased phosphate level in blood
- Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
- Increased triglyceride level in blood
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Increased transaminase level in blood
- Increased glucose level in blood
- Elevated levels of serum amylase
- Increased lipase in the blood
- Elevated creatinine kinase
HOW TO USE TAFICITA
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Taficita Tablet is to be taken with food.
HOW TAFICITA WORKS
Taficita Tablet is a combination of two anti-HIV medicines: Emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. They prevent HIV (virus) from multiplying, thereby reducing the amount of virus in your body. They also increase the CD4 cell (white blood cells that protect against infection) count in your blood.
SAFETY ADVICE
warnings
Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Taficita Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Taficita Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Taficita Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
warnings
Driving
UNSAFE
Taficita Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
warnings
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Taficita Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Taficita Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Taficita Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Taficita Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
CHILDREN CAUTION
UNSAFE
Taficita Tablet is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years.
Taficita Tablet Habit Forming : NO
expert advice
WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE TAFICITA?
A: If you miss a dose of Taficita Tablet, 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 schedule. Do not double the dose.
- Taficita Tablet is a combination of two medicines which slows down or stops the progression of HIV infections.
- It may also be used for preventing HIV and should be started within 72 hours of exposure to HIV.
- Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.
- Taficita Tablet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- Skipping doses increases the risk of treatment failure. Make sure that you take all your doses at the correct time.
- Always practice safe sex while taking Taficita Tablet. Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
- It may cause weakening of your bones. Exercise regularly and take calcium and vitamin D supplements as suggested by your doctor.
FOOD AND DRINK
FOOD AND DRINK- Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Eat vitamin and nutrient-rich food such as dark-green, yellow, orange, and red vegetables and fruit as it helps to boost your immune system. Option for lean protein and whole grains.
- Avoid eating raw meat and eggs. Consume properly boiled and cooked meat, poultry, or seafood.
- Eat bland and low-fat foods and avoid spicy or oily foods if you experience nausea or vomiting.
- Try to reduce emotional and physical stress by spending time with family or whatever makes you happy.
- Drink more fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration.
Wash your hands properly before and after eating. - Make sure you sleep at least 8 hours a day.
FAQs ABOUT TAFICITA TABLET
Q: Does TAFICITA cure HIV infection?
A: TAFICITA TABLET does not completely cure HIV infection. While taking this medicine, you may still develop infections or other diseases associated with HIV infection. Consult your doctor immediately for advice if you develop infections or diseases.
Q: Can TAFICITA be used to prevent HIV infection?
A: TAFICITA TABLET can be used to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection in adult and adolescent men (who weigh at least 35 kg) who have intercourse with men. It can only be used for this purpose if you are HIV-negative. Consult your doctor before taking TAFICITA TABLET.
Q: What precautions should I follow while taking TAFICITA to reduce the risk of HIV infection?
A: While taking TAFICITA TABLET to reduce the risk of HIV infection, get tested for HIV regularly. Take the medicine every day to reduce your risk, not just when you think you are at risk of getting infected. Practice safer sex by using condoms to reduce the risk of getting other sexually transmitted diseases.
Q: Can I stop taking TAFICITA on my own?
A: Do not stop taking TAFICITA TABLET without asking your doctor. If you are taking TAFICITA TABLET to treat HIV infection, stopping it can seriously impact the effect of future treatment. If it is stopped for any reason, ask your doctor before you restart taking this medicine. If you are taking TAFICITA TABLET to reduce the risk of getting infected, do not stop taking it or miss any doses as it may increase your risk of getting HIV infection.
Q: Can I take TAFICITA if I’m on dialysis?
A: Take TAFICITA TABLET as directed by your doctor. If you are undergoing dialysis regularly, take your daily dose of this medicine after completion of dialysis. Consult your doctor for advice before taking TAFICITA TABLET.
Q: What if I miss a dose of TAFICITA?
A: It is important not to miss a dose of TAFICITA TABLET but if you do, take the next dose as soon as possible if you remember within 18 hours of previous dose. Do not take the forgotten dose if you remember after 18 hours or more of previous dose. Wait and take your next dose as per schedule.
REFERENCES:
- Barbara G. Wells, Joseph T. DiPiro, Terry L. Shwinghammer, Cecily V. DiPiro. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. Pharmacotherapy Handbook. Ninth edition. Page- 371
- Gilead Sciences. Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide (F/TAF) Fixed-Dose Combination Once Daily for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men and Are At Risk of HIV-1 Infection (DISCOVER). NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in November 2022] [Accessed on 18th January 2023] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02842086
- Gilead Sciences Ireland UC. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in April 2022] [Accessed on 18th January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2108.pdf
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in October 2019] [Accessed on 18th January 2023] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/208215s012lbl.pdf
- Hetero Labs Ltd Unit II. Tafmune-Em Tablets (Tenofovir alafenamide + Emtricitabine). Ciplamed. [Revised in November 2020] [Accessed on 18th January 2023] https://www.ciplamed.com/content/tafmune-em-tablets
