Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Vemlidy.
Hepatitis B and HIV co-infections: The safety and effectiveness of taking tenofovir alafenamide to treat hepatitis B if you have also have HIV infection has not been determined. If you are taking tenofovir alafenamide for hepatitis B infection and an existing HIV infection is not being treated effectively, tenofovir alafenamide may increase the chance that your HIV infection will not respond to usual treatment. Therefore, it is important to be tested for HIV before starting treatment with tenofovir alafenamide and whenever there is a risk of HIV exposure during treatment.
Kidney function: Vemlidy may affect kidney function. If you have decreased kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Vemlidy may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Vemlidy, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Lactic acidosis and fatty liver: Vemlidy can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid), together with an enlarged fatty liver. Your doctor will periodically monitor you and perform laboratory tests to check your liver function. If you notice any symptoms of this condition such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness, tiredness, feeling cold, dizziness, light-headedness, or irregular heartbeat, seek immediate medical attention.
Liver function: Tenofovir alafenamide should not be used if you have significantly decreased or worsening liver function. Report any signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools) to your doctor.
Other medications for hepatitis B: There are several combination medications available to treat HIV infection and hepatitis B infection. Many of these medications include tenofovir alafenamide or tenofovir disoproxil. They may also include ingredients that work the same way as the ingredients in Vemlidy. Taking tenofovir alafenamide along with these other medications may be dangerous and may cause fatal drug interactions. With your doctor or pharmacist, review the ingredients of any medication that may be prescribed and compare it to the medications you are currently taking.
Stopping the medication: When used to treat chronic hepatitis B, stopping tenofovir alafenamide has been known to cause symptoms of liver inflammation to flare up and your hepatitis B infection could get worse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first. If you and your doctor decide that you should stop taking tenofovir alafenamide, you will need to have regular blood tests to check liver function and hepatitis B virus levels.
Pregnancy: Vemlidy should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Vemlidy, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if tenofovir alafenamide passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking Vemlidy, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Vemlidy have not been established for children.
