at bedtime may decrease the risk of having take Atripla will not get these symptoms. EFAVIRENZ/ nervous system adverse effects. Also, people who develop these symptoms EMTRICITABINE/ might recognize only one or two symptoms. TENOFOVIR Your dosage is: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these symptoms bother you. They can ____tablet once daily recommend methods to decrease these Other NAMES: Atripla  adverse effects.

WHY is this drug prescribed? What should you do if you FORGET a If you develop a severe rash, or a rash with dose? symptoms such as fever, blistering, mouth Atripla is an antiretroviral (anti-HIV) drug sores, red eyes, swelling, muscle or joint made up of efavirenz ( Sustiva), If you miss a dose of Atripla take it as soon aches and a general feeling of being unwell, emtricitabine ( Emtriva ), tenofovir ( Viread ). as possible. However, if it is time for your STOP taking Atripla . Speak with your Sustiva is a non-nucleoside reverse next dose, do not double the dose, just doctor immediately. transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTIs or Non carry on with your regular schedule. Never Nukes) and Emtriva and Viread are take more than one tablet in a day. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors see if there are any changes in your liver (NRTIs). Atripla may be used alone, or Why should you not forget to take this function, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. together with other antiretrovirals to delay drug? the progression of HIV infection. By doing It is important that you keep your doctor this, your immune system should improve + If you miss doses of Atripla , the amount of appointments and come for your (increase in CD4 count) and you will be HIV virus in your blood (known as the viral laboratory tests so that your progress better protected against infections. load) will start increasing again and your can be followed. immune system will be further damaged. A Atripla does not cure AIDS or completely kill few missed doses can be enough for Atripla What other PRECAUTIONS should you the HIV virus, but helps to prevent further to stop being active. This is a phenomenon follow while using this drug? damage by slowing down the production of known as resistance . Therefore, missing new viruses. Treatment with Atripla does doses of Atripla can decrease treatment You must make sure that you are taking the not reduce the risk of passing infection on options for the future. Please do not stop right dose. If you take higher doses of to others. You will still be able to pass HIV Atripla without talking to your doctor first. Atripla than what is prescribed, you may by sexual contact, by blood transfer or by increase the chance of having adverse sharing needles. You should always use What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this drug effects. If you take lower doses of Atripla appropriate precautions to prevent passing cause? What should you do about than what is prescribed, the HIV virus may HIV on to others. become resistant to the drug. them?

HOW should this drug be taken? Some people taking Atripla will have Certain drugs can increase or decrease the

symptoms such as light-headedness, effect of Atripla . Also, Atripla might The dose of Atripla is one tablet (consisting difficulties sleeping, vivid dreams, influence the effect of other drugs you are of 600 mg efavirenz, 200 mg of sleepiness, dizziness, restlessness, taking. Inform your doctor and pharmacist emtricitabine, and 300 mg of tenofovir) once morning “hang-over” feeling, or difficulties of all prescribed and non-prescribed drugs a day, preferably at bedtime. Taking Atripla concentrating. A minority of people who you are taking. As well, you should inform them of natural products or recreational (street drugs) you are taking. The effect of Do not store in your bathroom or kitchen, as combining alcohol and Atripla has not been heat and moisture may cause the drug to studied. If you wish to start a new drug or be less active.

natural product, please consult with your pharmacist before doing so. If you have any questions or concerns

about this drug or if you are The doses of certain drugs may need to be experiencing adverse effects, please increased if you are taking Atripla . discuss them with your pharmacist, EFAVIRENZ/ doctor or nurse. Do not take Atripla with Emtriva , Viread , EMTRICITABINE/ Truvada , Sustiva , Combivir , 3TC , Write questions or concerns down to TENOFOVIR Heptovir , Kivexa  or Trizivir  since these ensure they are addressed. drugs contain ingredients which duplicate or  are similar to ingredients in Atripla . The following pharmacist is available to ® answer questions: (Atripla ) Atripla should NOT be taken if you are pregnant or planning on becoming Pharmacist: ______pregnant. Please inform your doctor if you Telephone: ______believe you are pregnant or if you wish to become pregnant in the near future. A registry has been establish to monitor MEDICATION patients on Atripla while pregnant. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant, as he/she is able to register your exposure at 1-800-258-4263. Your doctor can FACT SHEET recommend an appropriate treatment to

help reduce the risk of passing the HIV virus on to your baby. Breastfeeding is NOT recommended if you have HIV as you can transmit the virus to your baby through your breast milk.

How should this drug be STORED?

Reference: Product Monograph Atripla® Atripla should be stored in a cool (15-30 °C) (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir). Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada: Montréal, QC, and Gilead Sciences Canada Inc: dry place, protected from light and well out Mississauga, ON, 2009. Prepared by the Ontario HIV of the reach of children. Ensure that the Pharmacy Professional Specialty Group, 2009. drug has not expired by checking the expiry Additional medication fact sheets and updates may be found date (“EXP”) shown on the outside of the at: www.hivclinic.ca package.