Formulary
Emtricitabine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Emtricitabine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Emtricitabine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Emtricitabine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs**
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Capsules): 200 mg once daily.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Oral Solution): 240 mg once daily.
**HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for emtricitabine**
- **Child (body-weight 33 kg and above)** (By mouth using capsules): 200 mg once daily.
- **Child 4 months-17 years (body-weight up to 33 kg)** (By mouth using oral solution): 6 mg/kg once daily.
- **Child 4 months-17 years (body-weight 33 kg and above)** (By mouth using oral solution): 240 mg once daily.
Side effects
For all nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors Common or very common Abdominal pain; anaemia (may require transfusion); asthenia; diarrhoea; dizziness; fever; flatulence; headache; insomnia; nausea; neutropenia; skin reactions; vomiting Uncommon Angioedema; pancreatitis Rare or very rare Lactic acidosis Frequency not known Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome; osteonecrosis; weight increased Side-effects, further information Osteonecrosis has been reported in patients with advanced HIV disease or following long-term exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy. Side-effects For emtricitabine Common or very common Abnormal dreams; dyspepsia; hyperbilirubinaemia; hyperglycaemia; hypersensitivity; hypertriglyceridaemia; pain; rash pustular
Interactions
**Severe interactions:**
- Co-administration of bictegravir with medicinal products that potently inhibit both CYP3A and UGT1A1, such as atazanavir, may significantly increase plasma concentrations of bictegravir, therefore...
- Co-administration of Biktarvy with the OCT2 and MATE1 substrate metformin did not result in a clinically significant increase in metformin exposure.
- Based on drug interaction studies conducted with Biktarvy or the components of Biktarvy, no clinically significant drug interactions are expected with: amlodipine, atorvastatin, buprenorphine,...
**Other interactions (34):**
- Biktarvy should not be administered concomitantly with medicinal products containing tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil, lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil used for the treatment of HBV...
- Co-administration of bictegravir and medicinal products that potently induce both CYP3A and UGT1A1, such as rifampicin or St.
- Therefore, caution is recommended when bictegravir is combined with medicinal products known to inhibit P-gp and/or BCRP (e.g.
- Emtricitabine In vitro and clinical pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction studies have shown that the potential for CYP-mediated interactions involving emtricitabine with other medicinal products is...
- Co-administration of emtricitabine with medicinal products that are eliminated by active tubular secretion may increase concentrations of emtricitabine, and/or the co-administered medicinal product.
- Medicinal products that decrease renal function may increase concentrations of emtricitabine.
Pregnancy
For all nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors Monitoring in pregnancy Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported in infants exposed to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in utero; the main effects include haematological, metabolic, and neurological disorders; all infants whose mothers received nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors during pregnancy should be monitored for relevant signs or symptoms.
Hepatic impairment
For all nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors In general, manufacturers advise caution in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C (increased risk of hepatic side-effects). Hepatic impairment For emtricitabine Monitoring On discontinuation, monitor patients with hepatitis B (risk of exacerbation of hepatitis).
Renal impairment
Dose adjustments See Prescribing in renal impairment . Manufacturer advises reduce dose or increase dosage interval if creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute (consult product literature).
Medicinal forms
Capsule,Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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