Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

It is important to take tenofovir as part of a combination regimen. Take all of the medicines your doctor prescribed at the right time of day. This will make your medicines work better.

Keep using tenofovir for the full time of treatment, even if you or your child begin to feel better. Do not stop using it without first checking with your doctor. When your supply of the medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of the medicine.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

For patients who cannot swallow the tablets, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may want you to take the oral powder.

If you are using the oral powder:

  • Measure the oral powder correctly using the dosing scoop that comes with the package. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Mix the oral powder with 2 to 4 ounces of soft food (eg, applesauce, baby food, yogurt).
  • After mixing, swallow it right away to avoid bitter taste.
  • Do not mix the oral powder with any liquid. The powder will not mix correctly and will float on top.
  • Do not store the scoop inside the package with the powder.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (oral powder or tablets):
    • For treatment of HIV infection:
      • Adults and children 2 years of age and older and weighs 35 kilograms (kg) or more—300 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 28 to less than 35 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is one 250 mg tablet once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 22 to less than 28 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is one 200 mg tablet once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 17 to less than 22 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is one 150 mg tablet once a day.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age and weighing less than 10 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection:
      • Adults and children 2 years of age and older weighing 35 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 300 milligrams (mg) (7.5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 34 to less than 35 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 280 mg (7 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 32 to less than 34 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 260 mg (6.5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 29 to less than 32 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 240 mg (6 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 27 to less than 29 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 220 mg (5.5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 24 to less than 27 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 200 mg (5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 22 to less than 24 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 180 mg (4.5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 19 to less than 22 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 160 mg (4 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 17 to less than 19 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 140 mg (3.5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 14 to less than 17 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 120 mg (3 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 12 to less than 14 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 100 mg (2.5 scoops) once a day.
      • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 10 to less than 12 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 80 mg (2 scoops) once a day.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age and weighing less than 10 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not use this medicine if the seal on the bottle is broken or missing. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Use the medicine dispensed only in its original container.