Generic Truvada (Emtricitabine and Tenofovir) Side Effects

Each year, there are two million new HIV infection cases around the world, with 50,000 of them in the U.S. Truvada is a revolutionary medicine that is effectively used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This drug has brought furious debate that if taken incorrectly it bears risks for users and may provoke side effects.

When people choose to start PrEP, they feel free from worry and fear that come along with HIV and sex. After learning about potential adverse effects, a magic Truvada pill doesn’t seem so rose-colored. To keep patients informed, let’s outline what negative reactions we can expect from this medicine and how to diminish them.

Branded Truvada Vs Generic: What’s the Difference?

Truvada is a remedy that is prescribed as a part of antiviral combination therapy in HIV-positive individuals. It also helps prevent this infection in HIV-negative people with high risks of being infected. This treatment is for healthy people and starts before he/she becomes exposed to HIV.

Truvada includes two basic ingredients: emtricitabine and tenofovir, which protect the immune cells in a human body and block the virus from replicating. This helps terminate the HIV infection before it spreads. The drug is taken daily because its active substances should always be present in the blood to fight off an occasional infection.

Truvada generic drugLabeled Truvada is approved by the FDA and licensed for sale in the U.S. People who need this medicine should visit a doctor and get a prescription. After that, you can legally buy the medicine at the nearest pharmacy. Usually, a regular prescription covers the administration of Truvada for three months.

The branded medication is quite expensive for average patients, and it still remains unaffordable for lots of people in need. The only solution is to buy its generic versions. These drugs are manufactured in developing countries and less expensive. They contain identical ingredients and can be safely used.

These tablets can be ordered online without a prescription. This doesn’t mean that a customer should skip an appointment with a medical specialist. People who consume Truvada without medical supervision are at high risks of getting side effects. Irresponsible intake can provoke a more dangerous outcome than users may expect.

What Side Effects to Expect?

For PrEP, Truvada is intended to be used by HIV-negative people. Over time, emtricitabine and tenofovir are excreted from a body; that is why it is very important to consume the drug on a regular basis to reach the desired results. As studies show, only 10% of participants take Truvada as directed because not all of them are good at sticking to the daily regimen. Most people think that Truvada can be taken as a party drug. They can skip doses or take the pills on occasion. This careless administration leads to emergence of Truvada-resistant strains and can easily invite the infection.

People who use Truvada without medical control are more prone to get side effects. Most of these reactions disappear during therapy when a body adjusts to the medicine. More serious adverse effects are rare occurrences and require doctor’s assistance. However, all these reactions do not diminish the value of Truvada as a powerful HIV prevention method.

Frequent Adverse Effects

When people start using Truvada for PrEP, they may experience some adverse effects. Most users have little to no reactions, but for those who do experience them, they may be quite uncomfortable. The most typical generic Truvada side effects include the following symptoms:

  • runny nose;
  • headaches;
  • depression;
  • cough;
  • body aches;
  • sore throat;
  • fatigue;
  • vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • trouble sleeping;
  • diarrhea;
  • dizziness;
  • loss of voice;
  • fever.

These side effects are usually mild and tolerable. They disappear within the first few weeks of Truvada administration. Like with any new medicine, it is normal to experience these effects. Every user should find ways in which these effects can be alleviated. For example, adverse effects may be less painful if the drug is taken with meals. People should schedule the dosage at the time that works best for them. This may require some experimentation.

If these reactions last longer and have an impact on your life, talk to your doctor about the ways to manage them.

Serious Consequences

Truvada has been selected to be used for PrEP because it causes few long-term side effects. If users experience serious abnormalities, they should report to their physician as soon as possible:

  • fast heartbeat;
  • bone pain;
  • joint swelling;
  • burning of the face or mouth;
  • back pain;
  • tingling feelings in the hands and feet;
  • chest pain;
  • vision changes;
  • difficulties in breathing;
  • allergic reactions (hives, rash, skin itching, swelling of the face, etc.).

These symptoms require urgent medical consultation and help.

When Do You Need Medical Help?

Rare side effects may occur only in 2% of users. The following table describes rare negative reactions and their symptoms:

Side effects

Symptoms

Severe liver disorders Light-colored stool, loss of appetite, stomach aches, skin discoloration, dark yellow urine, nausea, and others.

Hepatotoxicity may cause the formation of fat deposits and liver enlargement.

Severe kidney disorders Changes in the urine amount, trouble passing of urine, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and others.
Bone loss Softening or thinning of bones, bone pain, etc.

This may cause a decrease in bone mass in adults and bone growth in children.

Lactic acidosis Tiredness, stomach pain, fast heartbeat, confusion, weakness, feeling cold (in arms and legs), muscle cramps, dizziness, and others.

This condition causes a buildup of acid in the user’s blood, which can be dangerous.

Immune reconstitution syndrome Truvada treatment may lead to quick improvement of the patient’s immune system. This causes the body to fight against infections that patients have had before. Pneumonia, fungal infection, or tuberculosis may reappear.

Older people who have administered Truvada for several years and people with poor general health are more likely to get these symptoms. However, these issues should be monitored in users of all age groups. Address your therapist if you have the described reactions.

Precautions and Warnings

PrecautionsTruvada is used to cure HIV and to prevent this infection, but this is not a panacea. This medicine reduces the risks of getting HIV in more than 90% if it is taken as instructed. If the drug is not consumed as prescribed, users may become infected. The proper and accurate administration is a key to positive results.

This treatment can be initiated only after your visit to a doctor. He/she will offer a series of medical and blood tests. This is a necessary condition to get a prescription because only HIV-negative people can take Truvada for PrEP. The blood test should be repeated every three months.

Do not skip a tablet intake and try to take it at the same time every day. This helps keep the same concentration of emtricitabine and tenofovir in the blood. Swallow a pill without splitting or chewing.

Inform your GP in advance if you have had the following health problems in the past:

  • bone diseases;
  • kidney or liver impairment;
  • hepatitis B or C.

Users with these disorders and pregnant women need an individual treatment plan and Truvada dosage correction. In this case, therapy is carried out under thorough medical supervision.

Inform your GP if you consume any other medications, especially if you are prescribed antifungal meds, hepatitis B or C pills, tablets to ease pain, other HIV drugs, tabs for bone diseases and cancer. These medicines may interact with Truvada and cause side effects. All these drugs are excreted from the body by the kidneys, and this may affect the functioning of the renal system.

Don’t neglect other precautions like practicing safe sex with fewer partners.

Where to Buy Safe and Quality Truvada Generic?

Truvada is a powerful remedy that is sold in drugstores only with a prescription. Traditional pharmacies sell only branded medicines and charge enormous prices. Generic alternatives to this drug become a cost-effective solution and start flooding the market.

Internet pharmacy

BuyPrEPOnline offers cheaper Truvada options that are available under the names of Tenof-EM, Tenvir-EM, Ricovir-EM, Tavin-EM, and others. They contain identical antiviral substances, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.

Online orders of generics are legal and safe. These tablets are manufactured in lower-income countries with a flexible patent policy. There is no ground to doubt the authenticity of these medicines because they are developed under FDA control and meet all the international standards.

BuyPrEPOnline is a credible and trustworthy store that has a reputation of a professional retailer with numerous positive reviews from users. It is known for its friendly customer service. Various bonuses and discounts attract lots of clients because this is a great chance for an average patient to buy life-saving meds at affordable prices.

If you are in an at-risk group, purchase cheap tablets for PrEP here!