Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, sold under the brand name Atripla among others, is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV/AIDS.[7][6] It contains efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil.[7][6] It can be used by itself or together with other antiretroviral medications.[7] It is taken by mouth.[5][6][7]

Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil
Combination of
Efavirenznon-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Emtricitabinenucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Tenofovir disoproxilnucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Clinical data
Trade namesAtripla, Viraday, others
Other namestenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine/efavirenz
AHFS/Drugs.comProfessional Drug Facts
License data
Pregnancy
category
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)[1]
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)[4]
  • US: WARNING[3]Rx-only[5]
  • EU: Rx-only[6]
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Identifiers
CAS Number
ChemSpider
  • none
KEGG
  (verify)

Common side effects include headache, trouble sleeping, sleepiness, and unsteadiness.[5] Serious side effects may include high blood lactate levels, psychiatric symptoms, and enlargement of the liver.[5] It should not be used in children.[7] If used during the first trimester of pregnancy harm to the baby may occur.[5]

Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir was approved for medical use in the United States in 2006,[5][8] and in the European Union in 2007.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[9] Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir is available as a generic medication.[10][11]

Medical uses

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Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir is indicated for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.[5][6]

Contraindications

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People who have shown strong hypersensitivity to efavirenz, should not take efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir. Drugs that are contraindicated are: voriconazole, ergot derivative drugs, benzodiazepines midazolam and triazolam, calcium channel blocker bepridil, cisapride, pimozide and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Breastfeeding is also contraindicated.[5]

Side effects

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Common side effects of efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir are tiredness, dizziness, gastrointestinal distress, and skin discoloration. More severe side effects are hallucinations, sleeplessness and depression.[12]

Recommended dosage for efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir is one tablet at or before bedtime. Side effects can be reduced if it is taken on an empty stomach. People with kidney or liver problems can take one tablet by mouth once a day. However, people whose CrCl levels are less than 50ml/min should not follow this dosage. Instead, patients should be prescribed drug components of the fixed-dose combinations while adjusting TDF and FTC doses according to the patient's CrCl levels.[13]

Interactions

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Medications that should not be taken with efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir include bepridil, midazolam, pimozide, triazolam, or ergot derivatives. Additionally, St. John's wort is known to reduce the effectiveness of efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, resulting in increased viral load and possible resistance to efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir.[14]

Mechanism of action

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Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) of HIV-1. Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) of HIV-1. Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor of HIV-1, and it can be classified as an NtRTI. These three drugs work in combination to target the HIV reverse transcriptase protein in three ways, which reduces the virus's capacity to mutate.[5]

In combination studies there were synergistic antiviral effects observed between emtricitabine and efavirenz, efavirenz and tenofovir, and emtricitabine and tenofovir.[5]

History

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Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir was approved in the United States to treat HIV in 2006. The main advantage of the new drug was that it could be taken once daily and reduce the overall stress in an antiretroviral regimen.[15] An equivalent two pill regimen is available in developing countries at a price of about US$1.00 per day, as Gilead Sciences has licensed the patents covering emtricitabine/tenofovir to the Medicines Patent Pool[16] and Merck and Co makes efavirenz available in developing countries at a reduced price.[17]

Society and culture

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It is the first multi-class antiretroviral drug available in the United States and represents the first collaboration between two U.S. pharmaceutical companies to combine their patented anti-HIV drugs into one product.[18]

In much of the developing world marketing and distribution is handled by Merck & Co.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence".
  2. ^ "Efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir (Atripla) Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. ^ "FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Atripla 600 mg/200 mg/245 mg film coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". (emc). 2 March 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Atripla- efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate tablet, film coated". DailyMed. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Atripla EPAR". European Medicines Agency (EMA). 7 July 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. p. 160. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
  8. ^ "Drug Approval Package: Atripla (Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) NDA #021937". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 13 December 2006. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  9. ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  10. ^ "Office of Generic Drugs 2018 Annual Report". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 28 January 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: FDA-Approved Drugs". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Possible Side Effects of Atripla". Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  13. ^ "Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Medicines You Should Not Take with Atripla". Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. 2008. Archived from the original on 25 April 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  15. ^ "HIV Medication List - AIDS Drugs". AIDS Drugs HIV Reference. aidsdrugsonline. 2009. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  16. ^ "Medicines Patent Pool Signs Licence Agreement with Gilead to Increase Access to HIV/AIDS Medicines". Archived from the original on 19 February 2014.
  17. ^ "HIV & AIDS Information :: Merck cuts price of efavirenz for developing countries again". 16 February 2007. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014.
  18. ^ "Search for Tradename: Atripla". Drug Patent Watch. 2010. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  19. ^ "Merck To Register, Lower Cost Of Antiretroviral Atripla In Developing Countries". Medical News Today. 23 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.