Temirazer

Temirazer is a combinational drug comprising of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg and Emtricitabine 200 mg. It is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) drug used for managing patients with HIV-1 infection and HIV-1 Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Temirazer (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine) is utilized in combination with other antiretroviral agents in adults and children weighing greater than 35 kgs.

Prior testing before initiating Temirazer (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine)

• Testing for Hepatitis B viral infection
• Testing for chronic kidney disease
• Testing for HIV-1 PrEP

Based on the body weight and age of the patients, Temirazer (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine) has varied dosage regimens. The recommended dosage is 1 tablet (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg + Emtricitabine 200 mg) which is taken orally with or without food wherein,

• For adults, 1 dose once daily is recommended
• For children over 12 years of age and weight greater than 35 kgs, the same dose is given
• For kidney failure patients (Creatinine clearance: 30-49 mL/min), 1 dose in every 48 hours is administered
• For HIV-1 uninfected adults, 1 dose once daily is recommended
• For PrEP, 1 dose once daily with safer sex practices can be employed

Warnings and precautions:

There are certain conditions wherein patients should understand all the necessary details like,

• Discontinuation of Temirazer (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine) leads to severe acute complications in the liver with Hepatitis B viral infection
• There are chances of procuring acute kidney failure due to one of the components of the drug
• Do not use other drugs containing the same molecules (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine) or other molecules (Efavirenz, Rilpivirine, and Lamivudine) alone or in combination
• In some advanced HIV infected patients, there are chances of inflammation occurring due to immune reconstitution syndrome
• Patients are seen with decreased bone mineral density (Weakened bones)
• In a few cases, the patients gain an excessive amount of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) which may lead to hepatoxicity
• Patients should confirm if they are negative for HIV-1 infection before starting the drug for HIV-1 PrEP therapy
• Use all possible contraceptive methods for preventing the transmission of new HIV-1 infection

Side-effects of Temirazer (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine)

Most common side-effects in HIV-1 infected patients:

• Diarrhea
• Tiredness (Fatigue)
• Dizziness
• Atypical dreams
• Difficulty in sleeping (Insomnia)
• Depression
• Headache
• Rashes on the skin
• Nausea

Most common side-effects in patients who took the drug to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection:

• Pain in the abdomen (stomach area)
• Loss of weight
• Headache

Note: Temirazer (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + Emtricitabine) may show other side-effects too, consult your doctor for more information.