When your doctor tells you to start a new medication for your HIV, especially a liquid called Emtricitabine, it's normal to feel a little nervous and anxious. You probably have a lot of questions like, 'What will happen with this?', 'How exactly do I use it?' But don't worry. To make any treatment successful, it's important to have a clear understanding of it. So let's talk about this medication in simple terms.
What is Emtricitabine?
Simply put, Emtricitabine is a drug that works against the HIV virus. In medical terms, we call this an antiretroviral medicine . It is usually used in combination with one or more other drugs in HIV treatment.
It's important to remember: This medicine does not cure HIV. However, it does control the amount of HIV in your body. It also helps reduce the risk of you passing HIV on to someone else.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Okay, now before you start this medication, there are a few things you need to discuss very openly with your doctor. Don't hide these things at all, because this is very important for your safety and the success of the treatment.
- If you are an alcoholic, about that.
- If you have any kidney problems (kidney disease) .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have previously had an allergy to this medicine, Emtricitabine, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or expecting a baby .
- If you are a mother breastfeeding a baby .
Talk to your doctor about anything like this.
How to use the medicine correctly?
This is the most important part. To get the full benefit of the medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- This is a liquid medicine to take by mouth.
- Follow the instructions on the medicine bottle label exactly.
- Use only the special spoon or dropper that comes with this medicine to measure the dose. Do not use teaspoons or tablespoons that you find in your kitchen. They may not measure the exact amount of medicine. If you do not have such a special spoon, ask your doctor about it.
- This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you feel an upset stomach, it is best to take it with food.
- The most important thing: Take your medicine on time, at the same time every day. Do not skip doses for any reason. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking your medicine without your doctor's advice. If you skip doses, the HIV virus can become resistant to the medicine and the medicine will not work. This is very dangerous.
What if you give it to small children?
Doctors sometimes recommend this medicine for children over 3 months of age. However, only your pediatrician should make the decision. So if you are giving this to your child, talk to him or her about it.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed amount of medication, don't panic and take action immediately.
- Call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
- Or, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Other things that may interact with this medicine
When taking this medicine, there may be interactions with other things you are using, so be aware of this as well.
| What can cause a collision? | Description |
|---|---|
| Other medications | Do not take any other medicines containing Emtricitabine or Lamivudine with this medicine. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including those prescribed by other doctors, those bought from pharmacies, herbal remedies, vitamins). |
| Other materials | It is also essential to inform your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other illegal drugs. |
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, some are common. The most important thing is to be aware of these symptoms and tell your doctor as soon as possible if necessary.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, chest tightness. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, and feeling lethargic. |
| Lactic Acidosis Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, unusual stomach pain, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, muscle pain. |
| Other serious symptoms | Changes in vision, signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat). |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Diarrhea. |
| Other | Headache, cough, strange dreams, changes in skin color, changes in the way body fat is stored (increased areas such as the waist and back, and thinning of the face, arms, and legs). |
Important: If you also have Hepatitis B, be sure to talk to your doctor before stopping this medication, as stopping this medication may worsen your Hepatitis B condition.
How should I store the medicine?
To maintain the quality of the medicine, it must be stored correctly .
- Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- Store this liquid medicine in the refrigerator . It is best to keep the temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (2°C - 8°C).
- Discard any medication that has passed its expiration date without using it.
- If you store the medicine bottle at room temperature (up to 25°C), it should be used within 3 months . If not, throw the bottle away.
Take-Home Message
- Emtricitabine is a medicine that controls the HIV virus, but it is not a complete cure.
- Never skip a dose or stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice for any reason. This is the most important thing.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and alcohol you take.
- If you notice any signs of serious side effects (such as yellowing of the skin, difficulty breathing), seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep the medicine in the refrigerator and away from children.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't keep it to yourself, but ask your doctor .
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