Guides

tenofovir disoproxil (TD)

1 December 2020. Related: ARVs, Nukes.

tenofovir
ten-OFF-o-veer

  • Tenofovir D (tenofovir disoproxil) is a nucleotide analogue that is commonly called tenofovir.
  • There are now several versions of tenofovir in Europe (called tenofovir disoproxil) with different shapes, sizes and trade names. The original version is called Viread with newer versions called tenofovir disoproxil made by Mylan, Krka d.d. and Zentiva.
  • In low- and middle-income countries this is a white tablet with the same design.
  • Standard adult dose: 1 x 300 mg tablet of tenofovir DF, once-daily. (Sometimes the same dose is referred to as 245 mg tenofovir disoproxil or 136 mg tenofovir).
  • Tenofovir is recommended to be taken with food in Europe and with or without food in the US. Food increases tenofovir levels by about 30%. The benefit of taking tenofovir with food is likely to be more important when first starting treatment, if viral load is very high, or if you have resistance to other nukes.
  • Side effects: kidney function, flatulence (wind), reduced bone mineral density (over first six months).
  • Tenofovir is included with FTC in the fixed dose combination Truvada and in similar generic versions.
  • Tenofovir is included, with FTC and efavirenz, in the fixed dose combintion Atripla (or in  generic versions).
  • Other notes: tenofovir is cleared by the kidneys – monitoring for kidney toxicity, and not using tenofovir with other drugs that are cleared the same way, are important safety cautions.
  • Drug interactions: Tenofovir can sometimes interact with other meds processed by the kidneys. This includes some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are sold over the counter. For example: diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you often need to use these drugs.

Further information

Information on tenofovir side effects from the i-Base side effects guide.

The European patient leaflet and detailed Product Information for the original tenofovir-DF (Viread) are available in PDF format from this link at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) website. Links to tenofovir disoproxil made by other companies are here: Mylan, Krka d.d. and Zentiva.

The Patient Information is a simplified summary: what the drug is, why it is used, results from studies and cautions including side effects.

The Product Information is a detailed technical summary that you can access as a PDF file by clicking the ‘Product Information’ tab. It describes more precisely how the drug works and how it is processed by your body. This includes, for example, reported food interaction studies in terms of calories or fat content. It includes more details of the study results and a full list of side effects and drug interactions.