AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic

Generic name: emtricitabine and tenofovir [ EM-trye-SYE-ta-been-and-ten-OF-oh-vir- ]
Brand names: AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic, Descovy, Truvada
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 16, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic?

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic are antiviral medicines that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, but it can be used to treat HIV in adults and children who are at least 12 years old and weigh at least 17 kilograms (37 pounds).

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic is also used in children who weigh between 55 and 77 pounds (25 to 35 kilograms) and who take certain other HIV medications.

Truvada PrEP is used together with safer-sex practices to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV. You must be HIV-negative and an adult to use Truvada PrEP for this purpose.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Do not take this combination medicine if you also take other medicines that contain emtricitabine, tenofovir, lamivudine, or adefovir.

Truvada PrEP is used to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV in adults who are HIV-negative. This medicine alone will not protect you from infection with HIV. You must also use safer sex practices and get tested for HIV at least every 3 months.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

If you''ve ever had hepatitis B, it may become active or get worse after you stop using AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic. You may need frequent liver function tests for several months.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic if you are allergic to emtricitabine or tenofovir. Do not take if you also use other medicines that contain emtricitabine, tenofovir, lamivudine, or adefovir (such as Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Dutrebis, Emtriva, Epivir, Epzicom, Genvoya, Hepsera, Odefsey, Stribild, Triumeq, Trizivir, or Viread).

If you take Truvada PrEP to reduce your risk of HIV infection: You must have a negative HIV test immediately before you start taking the medicine.

Do not take Truvada PrEP to reduce infection risk if you are HIV-positive, if have been exposed to HIV within the past month, or if you had any symptoms (such as fever, sore throat, night sweats, swollen glands, diarrhea, body aches).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease (you may be tested for hepatitis B before you can use this medicine);

• osteopenia (low bone mineral density); or

• kidney disease.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you''ve taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breastfeed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

A child receiving this medicine must weigh at least 37 pounds.

How should I take AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor''s advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of a doctor.

You will need frequent medical tests to check your kidney and liver function, or your bone mineral density.

Truvada PrEP alone will not protect you from infection with HIV. You must also use safer sex practices and get tested for HIV at least every 3 months.

Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

If you''ve ever had hepatitis B, this virus may become active or get worse in the months after you stop using AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic. You may need frequent liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after your last dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skipping doses may increase the risk of your virus becoming resistant to antiviral medicine. Try not to miss any doses.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic?

Using AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• symptoms of new HIV infection--fever, night sweats, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, swollen glands in your neck or groin;

• sudden or unusual bone pain;

• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or

• liver problems--nausea, swelling around your midsection, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you''ve taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection--fever, sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;

• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or

• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects of AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic may include:

• headache, dizziness, feeling depressed or tired;

• trouble sleeping, strange dreams;

• nausea, stomach pain;

• weight loss; or

• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Other drugs may affect AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Frequently asked questions

• Truvada vs Descovy: How do they compare for HIV and PrEP?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 13.02.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra

Generic name: emtricitabine, lopinavir, ritonavir, and tenofovir [ em-trye-SYE-ta-been, loe-PIN-a-vir, ri-TOE-na-vir, ten-OF-oh-vir ]
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 3, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra?

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra are antiviral medicines that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not take this medicine if you have severe liver or kidney disease, or if you are allergic to emtricitabine (Emtriva, Atripla), lopinavir (Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir), or tenofovir (Viread). Do not take this medicine with other medicines that also contain emtricitabine or tenofovir (Atripla, Emtriva, Viread).

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use certain medicines.

Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra if you have severe liver or kidney disease, or if you are allergic to emtricitabine (Emtriva, Atripla), lopinavir (Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir), or tenofovir (Viread). Do not take this medicine with other medicines that also contain emtricitabine or tenofovir (Atripla, Emtriva, Viread).

Some medicines can interact with AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

• alfuzosin;

• lovastatin or simvastatin;

• St. John''s wort;

• pimozide;

• midazolam or triazolam;

• rifampin;

• sildenafil, Viagra (or Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension); or

• an ergot medicine such as D.H.E. 45, Ergomar, Cafergot, Ergotrate, Methergine, Migergot, or Migranal.

To make sure AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart disease or heart rhythm disorder;

• low levels of potassium in your blood;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• osteopenia (low bone mineral density); or

• pancreas problems, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Some people taking this medicine develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor''s office. Your kidney and liver function or bone density may also need to be tested.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor''s advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medicine, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra?

If you also take didanosine (Videx), take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra.

Taking AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Early symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• vision changes;

• increased urination or extreme thirst;

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• penis erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours;

• signs of new infection--fever, chills, skin lesions, or cough with yellow or green mucus;

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• kidney problems--little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or

• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra may include:

• diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• headache, dizziness, feeling tired;

• depressed mood, sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

• mild skin rash; or

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra?

AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines, including: antivirals, chemotherapy, injected antibiotics, medicine for bowel disorders, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, and some pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve). You may need dose adjustments or special tests when taking any of these other medications.

Many drugs can interact with AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• any other HIV or AIDS medications;

• ADHD medication;

• antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

• an antidepressant;

• anti-malaria medication;

• antiviral medications to treat herpes, HIV, or cytomegalovirus (CMV);

• asthma or allergy medication;

• cholesterol-lowering medicine;

• erectile dysfunction medication (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra);

• heart or blood pressure medication, heart rhythm medication;

• insulin or oral diabetes medication;

• leukemia medication;

• medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

• migraine headache medicines;

• narcotic pain medicine;

• a sedative;

• seizure medication; or

• steroid medication (prednisone and others).

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02.