Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is Truvada. You may also hear it called by its generic name, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir. Truvada contains two medicines in each tablet. It is used with other medicines to help treat HIV-1 infection and keep it under control. Truvada can also be used for PrEP or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection during sex. It may have other uses, too.

Truvada is often taken once a day, at the same time each day. It is important to take HIV and HIV PrEP medications exactly as your doctor tells you to. You should swallow the tablet whole and take it with or without food. It is very important to not miss any doses. 
Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Other side effects include headaches, rashes, or weight loss. Some people will have mood changes, trouble sleeping, and abnormal dreams. It can also make you feel tired or dizzy. You should wait until you know how it affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your healthcare team. 

As with any medicine, rare but more serious side effects can occur. You should read the medication guide to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. It can also cause a flare up of hepatitis B infection -- if you already have it. To prevent this, you should not stop taking it, unless your doctor says it is okay. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and may order blood tests. 

Truvada can interact with other medicines. You should check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking other medicines, herbal remedies, or vitamins.

Women should talk to their doctors before becoming pregnant and should not breastfeed.
While taking this medicine, you must still take precautions to prevent spreading HIV to others if you are infected. If you are taking Truvada for PrEP, you must remain HIV-negative. It is important to get tested at least every 3 months and tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to HIV. You should know that Truvada does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases. Talk to your healthcare team for more information about safe sex practices. 

For best results with Truvada, be sure to plan ahead for refills so you do not miss doses.