Who should not take Emtriva? 

Do not take Emtriva if you are allergic to Emtriva or any of its ingredients.

Special Warnings:

• Some people who have taken medicines like Emtriva (a nucleoside analog) have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis (buildup of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital.
• Some people who have taken medicines like Emtriva have developed serious liver problems called hepatotoxicity, with liver enlargement and fat in the liver called steatosis.
• You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analog medicines, like Emtriva, for a long time.

General Precautions with Emtriva: 

• Do not breast-feed. 
• Avoid doing things that can spread HIV infection since Emtriva does not stop you from passing HIV infection to others. 
• Do not share needles or other injection equipment. 
• Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes or razor blades. 
• Do not have sex of any kind without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom or other barrier to reduce the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell your health care provider:

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• if you are breast-feeding.
• if you have kidney problems.
• if you have any liver problems including Hepatitis B Virus infection.
• about all your medical conditions.
• about all the medicines you take, such as prescription and non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements.

What are some possible side effects of Emtriva? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Emtriva. Your health care provider or pharmacist can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

Serious side effects with Emtriva include:

• lactic acidosis 
• serious liver problems
• “flare-ups” of hepatitis B virus infection. Patients with hepatitis B virus infection, who take Emtriva and then stop it, may get “flare-ups” of their hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Emtriva is not for the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. 

Some common side effects with Emtriva include:

• changes in body fat distribution
• headache
• diarrhea
• nausea
• rash
• skin discoloration

The long-term effects of Emtriva are not known at this time.

For more detailed information about Emtriva, ask your health care provider or pharmacist.

Posted 8/27/03