Viread Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s natural ability to fight illness. Diagnosing HIV is done through a blood test.

Patients who receive fast and appropriate treatment can enjoy an excellent quality of life.If left untreated, HIV can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. Symptoms include tiredness, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and stomach pain. However, many people may not show any symptoms. The disease can be acute or chronic, and the latter may lead to serious liver damage.

Viread Active Ingredient

Generic Viread Alternative: Tenofovir-Disoproxil-Fumarate

Viread contains the active ingredient tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, which belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).

General Drug Information

What is Viread and What Is It Used For?

Viread is prescribed to HIV patients in order to improve quality of life and lower the chance of HIV-related complications such as new infections and cancer. It is to be taken in combination with other medications.

Viread is not a cure for HIV. Patients must take precautions to ensure they do not spread the virus to others. This means taking Viread and other HIV medications exactly as prescribed and using reliable protection methods when engaging in sexual activity. Patients should not share personal items – toothbrushes, razors, needles, or syringes – that may have been in contact with blood or other bodily fluids.

Viread is also prescribed to patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. It stops the growth of the virus and helps to decrease the amount of hepatitis B in the body.

Usage and Application

Viread should be taken as prescribed by a patient’s doctor, and dosage is dependent on the patient’s medical condition, kidney function and response to treatment. In children, dosage is also based on weight.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose, with or without food. The drug should be taken exactly as prescribed. Patients should not skip doses, increase their dose, or take the medication more often than prescribed. Doing so may make the virus resistant to treatment or worsen side effects. Patients should not stop taking this medication without their doctor’s approval.

Viread works best when taken at evenly spaced intervals as drug levels in the body need to be constant. To help patients remember, it is recommended that Viread is taken at the same time each day.

Considerations Before Taking Viread

Patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Viread before starting treatment.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially any kidney problems, liver problems – like cirrhosis and hepatitis C – and pancreatitis. Issues such as osteoporosis, weak, and broken bones should also be discussed, as well as any history of alcohol use.

Viread may cause dizziness, drowsiness or trouble concentrating. While taking this medication, patients should not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks requiring clear vision or alertness until the effects of this medication are known.

Alcoholic beverages and marijuana should be avoided. Limiting alcohol is also important in order to avoid liver problems and pancreatitis.

Before undergoing surgery and dental procedures, patients need to inform their doctor and dentist of any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements they are taking.

Pregnant women need to discuss the risks and benefits of using Viread with their doctor. Treatment with this medication can lower the risk of passing HIV to an unborn baby.

Viread passes into breast milk. HIV-positive mothers should not breastfeed as this can transmit the virus to their baby.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Viread should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Viread

Drug interactions may change the way Viread works, and can increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Certain medications – like the weight-loss drug Xenical– may negatively affect the way Viread works. Taking Viread with adefovir, amikacin, or gentamicin carries the same risk.

Viread may affect the effectiveness of other drugs used to treat HIV, like Reyataz. Viread can also decrease the effectiveness of atazanavir. Patients who are taking the two medications together may need to take Norvir.

Patients should not take Viread together with other drugs which contain its active ingredient – tenofovir.

Adverse Reaction

Many patients are able to take Viread safely without serious side effects.

Some patients may experience dizziness, headache, trouble concentrating, or diarrhea.

Overactive Immune Function

Viread is designed to help improve immune system function so the body can fight HIV more effectively. As the immune system becomes stronger, it can start to fight infections that patients already have, causing the symptoms of these latent infections to manifest.

It is possible that a patient’s immune system may become overactive. This reaction can happen soon after starting treatment, or months after.

Patients should seek medical help if they experience unexplained weight loss, severe tiredness, joint pain, persisting muscle weakness, and persistent, severe headaches.

Additional symptoms may include numbness or tingling of the extremities, vision changes, and signs of infection such as chills, swollen lymph nodes, trouble breathing, coughing, and skin sores that don’t heal.

An overactive thyroid can be an additional symptom of immune function hyperfunction. Symptoms may include irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, and an unusual growth in the neck (known as a goiter).

Patients should also monitor for signs of a certain kind of nerve condition, known as Guillain-Barre syndrome, which may include trouble breathing and swallowing, and difficulty with eye and facial movement. Additional symptoms include facial drooping, paralysis, and trouble speaking.

Rare Side Effects

In rare cases, patients can experience psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or confusion.

Patients should seek immediate medical help in the event of rare-but-serious side effects like unusual thirst and kidney problems, which are manifested by changes in the amount of urine.

Some patients may experience severe liver problems manifesting as nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin.

It is important to monitor for symptoms of a serious blood condition, known as lactic acidosis. Symptoms include deep or rapid breathing, drowsiness, vomiting, and unusual weakness.

Viread may increase the risk of bone loss. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with their doctor. One way to reduce risk may be to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. The treating physician may also monitor a patient’s bone mineral density. Symptoms of bone problems include bone pain and easily-broken bones.

This medication may cause a rash, which is usually common and not serious. However, patients may have difficulty telling it apart from a rare rash that often signifies severe reaction.

It is important to seek immediate medical help in the event any rash is accompanied by symptoms like fever, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, blisters, mouth sores, and red or swollen eyes.

Serious allergic reactions to Viread are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Viread

Viread should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.

Viread Coupon

Although Viread coupons are available with other online pharmacies, customers will find that UDS prices are often much lower.