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Overview: Emtricitabine is used to treat HIV. It works by helping stop the spread of HIV in your body. Common side effects may include headache, diarrhea, nausea, feeling unusually weak or tired, dizziness, depressed mood, trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, or rash. Emtricitabine comes as a capsule or liquid that is taken by mouth.

Uses

What is emtricitabine used for?

Emtricitabine is commonly used for the treatment of HIV.

Emtricitabine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does emtricitabine work (mechanism of action)?

Emtricitabine works to help stop the spread of HIV in your body. A lower amount of HIV in your body helps protect and preserve the immune system.

How is emtricitabine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Emtriva

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg oral capsules
  • 10 mg/mL oral solution

How should I store emtricitabine?

Oral Capsule. Emtricitabine capsules should be stored tightly closed in their original container at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). They can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as during transport. Store in a cool, dry place.

Oral Liquid. Emtricitabine oral liquid should be stored tightly closed in the original container in a refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Do not freeze. It may be kept at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C to 25 C) for up to three months. Throw away any unused medicine after three months.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of emtricitabine?

The most common side effects of emtricitabine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache 
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • ​​Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Dizziness
  • Depressed mood 
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Unusual dreams
  • Rash
  • Stomach pain
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Skin discoloration (children)

There may be other side effects of emtricitabine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of emtricitabine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of emtricitabine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Immune System Changes. When you start emtricitabine, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of infection.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Vision problems
  • Confusion, trouble talking, or headaches
  • Skin problems, such as a painful rash or warts
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Weakness or coordination problems

Lactic Acidosis. Emtricitabine may cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in your blood), which can be serious. Stop taking emtricitabine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.

  • General ill feeling, weakness, or tiredness
  • Muscle pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Drowsiness or dizziness
  • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Cold or blue feet or hands

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking emtricitabine. Keep all appointments for blood tests to check the health of your liver. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Allergic Reactions. Emtricitabine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking emtricitabine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use emtricitabine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take emtricitabine.

  • Emtricitabine
  • Emtriva
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific emtricitabine products they stock.

What should I know about emtricitabine before using it?

Do not take emtricitabine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share emtricitabine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep emtricitabine out of the reach of children. Since the liquid form of this medicine should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Emtricitabine comes as a capsule or liquid that is taken by mouth. If you are taking emtricitabine liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

If you have HIV and hepatitis B, stopping emtricitabine can cause a serious flare-up, or worsening, of your hepatitis B. Your health care provider will test you for hepatitis B before or when starting this medicine. Do not run out of emtricitabine or stop taking it without talking to your health care provider first. If you have HIV and hepatitis B and stop taking emtricitabine, keep all appointments for blood tests so your health care provider can check the health of your liver.

While emtricitabine (taken along with other medicines) can help keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Emtricitabine does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis.

What should I tell my health care provider before using emtricitabine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if emtricitabine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems, including hepatitis B
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Emtricitabine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking emtricitabine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how emtricitabine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take emtricitabine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking emtricitabine, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263 or at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Emtricitabine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking emtricitabine and having HIV.

Interactions

Does emtricitabine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between emtricitabine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect emtricitabine. The risk of certain side effects, such as dizziness, may increase if you drink alcohol while taking emtricitabine.

Does emtricitabine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any other medicine for HIV before taking emtricitabine.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with emtricitabine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much emtricitabine?

If you or someone else has used too much emtricitabine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of emtricitabine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Missing doses of emtricitabine can cause it to not work as well over time. So, it is important not to miss or skip doses.