Viread is supplied in 300 mg tablets that are almond shaped, light blue film coated, and embossed with "GILEAD" and "4331" on one side and with "300" on the other side.

Also known as: tenofovir, tenofovir DF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, PMPA, and bis(POC)PMPA.

Background: Viread is an anti-HIV drug manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc. The FDA approved Viread for use in fighting HIV in October 2001.

Dose: The recommended dose of Viread is one 300 mg tablet once a day. It should be taken in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. If you are taking Videx (Videx EC, didanosine, ddI), you should take Viread 2 hours before or 1 hour after Videx.

Food restrictions: Viread should be taken with food, preferably a full meal containing some fat.

Storage: Viread should be stored at room temperature (77°F).

Who should not take Viread: Persons with kidney problems should not take Viread. Viread has not been tested in persons with liver problems. Pregnant women should not take Viread. It is not known whether Viread passes into breast milk and what effect it may have on a nursing baby. It is recommended that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed to prevent transmission of HIV to the child.

Side effects and toxicity: The most common side effects of Viread are nausea, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, and flatulence (intestinal gas). Bone thinning or softening was seen in some animals when they were given Viread at high doses. It is not clear whether bone damage will occur in human with long-term use of Viread. As with other anti-HIV drugs, changes in body shape may occur in persons taking Viread. Changes include increased fat in the upper back and neck, breasts, and the trunk of a person's body, as well as loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face.

Drug interactions: Viread increases the levels of Videx in your blood. This increase in Videx levels could cause an increase in Videx side effects. If you are taking Videx you should take Viread 2 hours before or 1 hour after Videx. (Some doctors recommend taking Videx with food to lower Videx levels in the blood; this way both Videx and Viread could be taken together with food.) There is some evidence that Viread may work better in persons whose virus is resistant to 3TC (Epivir); some doctors recommend taking the 2 drugs together. Viread is eliminated by the kidneys and may interact with other drugs that are eliminated by the kidneys. Examples of these drugs include Zovirax (acyclovir) or its generic version acyclovir, Valtrex (valacyclovir), Cytovene (ganciclovir), Valcyte (valgancyclovir), and Vistide (cidofovir). Company officials have stated that Viread should definitely not be taken with Vistide (cidofovir).

Patient assistance: Gilead Sciences Inc. has a Reimbursement and Assistance Program for persons having problems getting Viread. The number is 800.226.5056.

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