Does emtricitabine/tenofovir have side effects?
While all HIV drugs have some side effects, emtricitabine/tenofovir is widely used in part because its side effects are generally mild. In previous studies in HIV-infected individuals, less than 1% of study participants stopped emtricitabine/tenofovir therapy because of side effects. The most commonly reported side effects from use of emtricitabine/tenofovir are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence. These effects have largely been reversed after use of the drug was discontinued. The study monitors the health of the participants very carefully, and stops the study drug if there is any sign of illness due to participation in the study. Anyone who experiences any difficulty is monitored and cared for until the illness resolves.
