Emtricitabine
Written By Dr. Subita Alagh
Reviewed By Dr. Rajeev SharmaLast updated 28 Mar 2025 | 05:38 AM (UTC)
Emtricitabine Uses
Emtricitabine is used in the treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HIV infection.
How Emtricitabine works
Emtricitabine is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.
Common side effects of Emtricitabine
Fatigue, Headache, Nausea, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), Depression, Abnormal dreams, Rash
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Expert advice for Emtricitabine
- In combination with other medicines, it is used for the treatment of HIV infections.
- Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.
- Emtricitabine may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.
- You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
- During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.
- You have been prescribed Emtricitabine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- In combination with other medicines, it is used for the treatment of HIV infections.
- Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.
- Emtricitabine may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.
- You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
- During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.
Frequently asked questions for Emtricitabine
Emtricitabine and tenofovir belongs to class of antiretroviral medicines
Emtricitabine and tenofovir used for treatment of HIV infection
Emtricitabine is used in combination with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Emtricitabine works by inhibiting the enzyme for DNA synthesis (nucleoside reverse transcriptase) thereby lowering the growth and decrease the amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in body
FTC is the short form assigned to Emtricitabine for common referral term.