Emtricitabine, Rilpivirine, and Tenofovir alafenamide

pronounced as ( em″ trye sye′ ta been)( ril″ pi vir′ een)( ten of′ oh vir al″ a fen′ a mide)

Brand Name(s): Odefsey®
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Why is this medicine prescribed?

The combination of emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF is used to treat HIV. Emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are in a class of medications called nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They work by slowing the spread of HIV in the body.

Although emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF will not cure HIV, these medications may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses. Taking these medications and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of giving the HIV virus to other people.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

The combination of emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take with food (a meal) once a day. Take emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF at around the same times every day.

Take emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF even if you feel well. Do not stop taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF,

  • tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
  • some medications should not be taken with emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
  • the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil ®
  • , Motrin ® ) and naproxen (Aleve
    • ®
  • , Naprosyn ® ) and St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF. Do not start these medications while taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF without discussing with your healthcare provider.
  • if you are taking antacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (Maalox ®
  • , Mylanta ®
  • , Tums ® , others), take the antacid 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF.
  • if you are taking a medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet ® ), famotidine (Pepcid
    • ®
  • , in Duexis ® ), nizatidine (Axid
    • ® ), or ranitidine (Zantac ® ), take it at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF.
  • ttell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, depression or other mental illness, any type of infection that does not go away or that comes and goes such as tuberculosis (TB; a type of lung infection) or cytomegalovirus (CMV; a viral infection that may cause symptoms in people with weak immune systems), or liver or kidney disease.
  • ttell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF, call your doctor. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Some of the medication and HIV may be passed to your baby in your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks of breastfeeding your baby if you are taking lamivudine.
  • you should know that emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF may cause changes in your thoughts, behavior, or mental health. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms while you are taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF: new or worsening depression; feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, or restless; or thinking about killing yourself or planning or trying to do so.
  • you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms at any time during your treatment with emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF, be sure to tell your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222

. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • headache
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING or SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • decreased urination
  • weakness, muscle pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fast or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, feeling cold, especially in the arms or legs
  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, dark yellow or brown urine, light-colored bowel movements, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain in upper right part of stomach, flu-like symptoms, unusual bleeding or bruising

If you develop a severe rash with any of the following symptoms, stop taking emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat; difficulty swallowing or breathing; mouth sores or blisters on your body; pink and swollen eyes; fever; dark urine; pain on the right-side of stomach area; yellowing of the skin or eyes

Emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone (

1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What other information should I know?

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a supply of emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir AF on hand. Do not wait until you run out of medication to refill your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS ® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists ® , 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: July 15, 2025.