Treating Hepatitis B With Tenofovir

Treating Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a type of disease involving liver infection. The said condition is caused by HBV or hepatitis B virus. When this disease occurs, an inflammation happens within the liver, resulting in the organ’s scarring. Immediate treatment is necessary to avoid liver complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Also known as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, Tenofovir is regarded as the major treatment option for hepatitis B infection. It is an antiviral drug that minimizes the inflammation of the liver and prevents more damage within the said organ. This drug is suitable for both children and adults.

How does Tenofovir work?

Tenofovir functions by inhibiting the hepatitis B virus from replicating. Once consumed, this drug immediately stops the virus from making more copies of itself and reduces the amount of HBV existent within the body. Like other forms of antiviral drugs, Tenofovir helps in strengthening the immune system enough to fight the infection and prevent the virus from causing other health complications.

Tenofovir belongs to a drug classification called NRTIs or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. This drug is already proven safe and effective given its high potency and efficiency. Tenofovir may have a few side effects, but they can be manageable.

Precautions and Warnings

Similar to other antiviral medicines, Tenofovir medication also follows a set of precautionary measures and warnings. Consider the following:

• To ensure that Tenofovir is safe for you to take, tell your healthcare professional if you have a history of liver damage, HIV, and kidney problems.
• If you are an alcoholic, discuss this issue with your healthcare professional as this can affect or cause an interaction during your Tenofovir treatment.
• If you are allergic to this medicine and its ingredients, do not use Tenofovir. Note that any form of hypersensitivity can be fatal.

Dosage

Your healthcare professional will not automatically prescribe you Tenofovir after your diagnosis. There are significant factors that he/she checks to ensure that this medicine is suitable for your consumption. These factors include:

• Patient’s age and weight
• Patient’s medical history
• Other forms of drugs that the patient is currently taking

The dosage for adults is as follows:

• 300 mg of Tenofovir DF – to be consumed once on a daily basis
• Adjustment may be necessary; however, only your healthcare professional can advise you to adjust your daily dosage.

The dosage for children is as follows:

• 8 mg/kg – to be consumed on a daily basis
• 300 mg (for children weighing 35kg) – to be consumed on a daily basis
• It is significant to note that the dosage for children will always depend on their weight. Additionally, the maximum dose is only 300 mg of Tenofovir.

How to take it?

Consume your daily dose of Tenofovir with or without food. You can also swallow this tablet whole with water. To ensure that you do not experience stomachaches after taking your daily dose of this drug, it is recommended to ingest it with food.

Forgetting your dose for the day can affect your treatment. What must be done? You can set a specific time of the day to help you remember your daily dose. You can use the alarm to get you notified. Doing so will help you avoid missing your medication.

Side Effects

The adverse reactions that you can get from consuming Tenofovir are manageable. However, if these reactions persist and continue to cause you inconvenience, report them to your healthcare professional immediately. Consider the following:

• Mild to severe diarrhea
• Headaches
• Skin rashes
• Skin itchiness
• Fever or chills
• Weight loss
• Dark-colored urine
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Pain in the muscles
• Sleeping problem
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)