Rovafovir etalafenamide

Rovafovir etalafenamide

Rovafovir etalafenamide is an antiviral drug used in the treatment and prevention of HIV and hepatitis B infections. It is a prodrug of tenofovir, which means it is metabolized into tenofovir in the body. Rovafovir etalafenamide is marketed under the brand name Vemlidy by Gilead Sciences.

Pharmacology

Rovafovir etalafenamide is a prodrug of tenofovir, an adenosine analogue. It is designed to be taken orally, and once in the body, it is converted into tenofovir, the active form of the drug. This conversion is done by esterase enzymes in the body. The active form, tenofovir, inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that the HIV virus needs to replicate itself.

Clinical Use

Rovafovir etalafenamide is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and HIV-1 infections. It is often used in combination with other antiviral drugs to increase its effectiveness. The drug is also used in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a strategy to prevent HIV infection in people who are at high risk.

Side Effects

Common side effects of rovafovir etalafenamide include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects such as lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis.

History

Rovafovir etalafenamide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2016 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults.

See Also

• Tenofovir disoproxil
• Tenofovir alafenamide
• Antiretroviral therapy

This antiviral drug related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.