Efavirenz Tenofovir & Emtricitabine Tablets

What is Efavirenz Tenofovir & Emtricitabine Tablets ?

Efavirenz: Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). It works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which is necessary for HIV replication. By blocking this enzyme, efavirenz helps to slow down the progression of the HIV infection.
Tenofovir: Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It also works by inhibiting reverse transcriptase, but it does so by directly incorporating itself into the growing viral DNA chain, preventing further elongation. This effectively halts the replication of the virus.
Emtricitabine: Emtricitabine is another NRTI, and it works in a similar way to tenofovir. It is also incorporated into the viral DNA chain, preventing further replication of the virus

HIV Infection Treatment: These tablets are used as part of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) to suppress the replication of the HIV virus. This helps to control the infection and prevent further damage to the immune system.
Prevention of HIV Transmission: In some cases, this medication may also be prescribed as a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high risk of contracting HIV. When taken consistently, it can help prevent the transmission of the virus.
Reducing Viral Load: Efavirenz, Tenofovir, and Emtricitabine work together to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood, known as the viral load. Lowering the viral load is important for managing HIV and preventing its progression to AIDS.
Increasing CD4 Cell Count: These medications can also help increase the number of CD4 T-cells in the body. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.

Efavirenz:
- Mechanism of Action: Efavirenz belongs to a class of drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It specifically targets the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is crucial for the replication of the HIV virus.
- How it Works: Efavirenz binds to a specific pocket on the reverse transcriptase enzyme, causing a structural change that inhibits its activity. This prevents the conversion of viral RNA into DNA, which is essential for the virus to integrate into the host cell’s genome.
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (Prodrug of Tenofovir):
- Mechanism of Action: Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It is converted into its active form (tenofovir diphosphate) inside cells infected with HIV.
- How it Works: Tenofovir diphosphate competes with natural nucleotides during the reverse transcription process. Once incorporated into the growing viral DNA chain, it lacks the necessary 3′-OH group to continue elongation. This leads to premature termination of the viral DNA chain, preventing further replication.