Tenofovir: What It Is and How It’s Used
Tenofovir is a widely used antiviral medicine for HIV treatment and prevention and for chronic hepatitis B. It comes in two main forms: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Both block viral replication, but they differ in dose, safety profile and where they concentrate in the body.
TDF is the older form. It’s effective, cheap and used for HIV therapy and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. TDF can affect kidneys and bone density in some people. Doctors usually check creatinine and bone health before and during treatment.
TAF is a newer prodrug that delivers tenofovir inside cells at lower blood levels. That means similar antiviral effect with less impact on kidneys and bones for many patients. TAF often appears in newer single-tablet regimens and is becoming common where cost and access allow.
How Tenofovir Is Taken and Monitored
For HIV treatment, tenofovir is usually part of a combination pill with other antiretrovirals. For PrEP, daily TDF plus emtricitabine is the standard in many guidelines. For chronic hepatitis B, tenofovir tablets are taken daily and may be needed long term.
Before starting tenofovir a doctor will check HIV status, kidney function, and hepatitis B markers. During treatment, periodic labs focus on serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and viral load. If you have existing kidney problems, a clinician may choose TAF or adjust dosing.
Don’t stop tenofovir suddenly if you have hepatitis B without medical advice. Stopping can cause serious liver flare. Keep all follow-up tests and tell your provider about new symptoms like reduced urine, swelling or bone pain.
Side Effects, Interactions and Practical Tips
Common side effects are mild: nausea, headache, and fatigue. The main concerns are kidney toxicity and bone mineral loss, more so with TDF than TAF. Risk increases with older age, low body weight, other kidney-harming drugs, and pre-existing renal disease.
Drug interactions matter. Avoid combining tenofovir with nephrotoxic medicines without close monitoring. Some HIV drug combos and boosters change levels of other medicines; your clinic pharmacist can review interactions.
A few practical tips: take tenofovir with or without food depending on the product; keep a steady schedule for PrEP to get protection; store pills at room temperature; bring a complete medication list to appointments; and tell your provider if you plan pregnancy—tenofovir has a solid safety record in pregnancy but management may change.
If you’re researching tenofovir options, compare TDF and TAF on cost, monitoring needs, and side effect risks. Talk openly with your clinician about kidney tests, bone health checks, and how long you’ll be on therapy. For any serious symptoms or questions, seek medical advice promptly.
Resistance can happen—mutations like K65R reduce tenofovir effectiveness, so adherence matters. If cost or access is a problem, ask your clinic about generic TDF programs or patient assistance for TAF. This tag page gathers related posts on pharmacies, buying meds online, and drug guides to help you learn more. Read specific articles here and talk to your pharmacist if you want help choosing or affording tenofovir-based therapy. Track side effects and lab dates closely.
