HIV Prevention Pill Truvada Prevents Transmission of Infection

Truvada, an anti-HIV pill, is approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for use in healthy individuals at a high risk of getting infected with HIV.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a dreaded virus that can lead to Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks a person’s immune system, and weakens the ability to fight infections and disease. Spread of HIV commonly occurs through unprotected sex i.e. without a condom. It can also be passed on by sharing of infected needles and other injecting equipment; and from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

There is no complete cure for HIV/AIDS. Therefore, adopting preventive measures is the best way to keep the virus at bay.

How can HIV be prevented?

HIV can be prevented by using condoms correctly every time while having sex and not sharing injection equipment with others.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a method to prevent HIV infection in those who are not infected but are at a substantial risk of contracting the infection. The prevention can be achieved by taking a pill called Truvada daily, before and after exposure to the virus. It is meant to be combined with condoms and other prevention methods to provide greater protection.

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Who can take Truvada?

Truvada is approved for healthy, uninfected people who are at substantial risk of contracting HIV through sex. These include sex workers, people with HIV-positive partners or partners who engage in high-risk behaviors, or those who use injection drugs. Both, homosexual and heterosexual couples can use this drug to prevent the virus transmission to the HIV-negative partner.

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Women who are HIV negative can also use Truvada but the male partner is HIV positive, and both want to conceive a child. Currently, sperm washing is the only safe way to do that while preventing the risk of transmission to the woman. However, it is a complicated and expensive process. In such cases, prescribing Truvada for the woman could help avoid the procedure.

How does Truvada Work?

Truvada is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). This class of drugs prevents multiplication of the HIV virus, and therefore prevents an infection from establishing itself.

Are There Any Important Points To Note Before Starting Truvada for HIV Prevention?

Daily use – The tablet should be taken on a daily basis before and after the exposure.

HIV status- A person should be HIV-negative before starting with Truvada. This is because the virus can develop resistance to the medicine if taken alone by an HIV-positive patient. It is important to repeat HIV testing every 3 months while on Truvada to make sure that the patient does not contract the virus.

Safe sex- There is also a worry that people taking the HIV prevention pill might relax safe sex precautions. It is advised that people taking this medicine should still continue to use condoms and limit their number of sexual partners, just as if they were not taking the pill. However, research has found that taking the tablet does not increase risk-taking behavior.

What are the Possible Side Effects of Truvada?

Though Truvada mainly causes mild adverse effects as noted in clinical trials, it is also associated with serious side effects including-

Excessive lactic acid in the blood- This is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms include weakness or being more tired than usual, muscle pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cold hands and feet, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats. Overweight women are at an increased risk of these side effects.

Liver problems- Truvada may cause liver enlargement or leads to fatty liver.

Worsening of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection on stopping the medication- People with HBV infection who take Truvada should not stop taking the medicine without discussing it with their healthcare provider as it might worsen the HBV infection.

Kidney problems- Truvada can lead to worsening of existing kidney disease or can cause de novo kidney problems.

Increased risk of fractures due to weakening of bones.

Other side effects include headache, stomach pain, and decreased weight.

Several studies have proved the usefulness of Truvada in preventing HIV infection. To summarize its use:

• Truvada should be given on a daily basis to people at substantial risk of developing HIV infection, but do not already suffer from it.
• It is necessary to monitor the patient every 3 months to make sure that they have not already contracted the infection.
• Moreover, other preventive measures like correct use of condoms should not be neglected.

References

1. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/research/prep/

2. https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis/

Source-Medindia