Generic Name: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Pronunciation: VEER-ee-ad

Abbreviation: TDF

Other Market Name: N/A

Drug Class: Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

Company: Gilead Sciences

Approval Status: Approved

Generic Version Available: No

Experimental Code: N/A

Drug Indication

FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in persons who are 12 years and older. (Viread is also used to treat HIV-1.)

General Info

  • Viread was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by adults with chronic hepatitis B in 2001.
  • In clinical studies, up to 76 percent of participants had a therapeutic response after 48 weeks of treatment with Viread.

Dosage

Adult Dose:

One 300 mg tablet daily, with or without food. Dosage adjustment may be needed for people with kidney disease.

Pediatric Dose: Age 12 years and older (35 kg or more): one 300 mg tablet daily, with or without food.

Dosing Info: Treatment length is indefinite and depends on clinical outcomes. Do not change your dose or stop taking Viread without talking to your medical provider.

Side Effects

  • The most common side effects are nausea, rash, diarrhea, headache, pain, depression and weakness.
  • Viread may cause severe liver problems or a serious condition called lactic acidosis (buildup of acid in the blood).
  • Viread may cause bone or kidney problems. It may also cause your hepatitis B infection to worsen.

Drug Interactions

  • For a review of drug interactions, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements that should not be taken with Viread or may require dose adjustments, consult the Viread package insert. 

Other Info

  • HIV testing is recommended prior to taking Viread.
  • There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women who have taken Viread. Viread should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
  • The safety of breast feeding while taking Viread has not been established, and it is recommended that Viread be discontinued if breast-feeding.

For More Info: http://www.viread.com

Co-Pay Program Info: https://www.hepmag.com/basics/hepatitis-b-basics/paying-hepatitis-b-treatment

Patient Assistance Program Info: https://www.hepmag.com/basics/hepatitis-b-basics/paying-hepatitis-b-treatment

Last Reviewed: December 22, 2021