What is truvada for?

Have you ever heard of Truvada? If not, then let us take you on a journey that will leave you in awe. Truvada is quite an enigma, as it has the power to fight HIV and even prevent it altogether. Yes, you read that right! So buckle up and get ready for a fascinating ride as we delve into the world of this wonder drug.

What Is It?

Truvada is actually an antiretroviral medication used in combination therapy for the treatment of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. So what does combination therapy mean? Well, simply put, it involves taking multiple medications together to achieve better results than one medicine alone could provide.

When Did This Fascinating Drug Come Into Existence?

Truvada was approved by U.S Food And Drug Administration (FDA) on August 2nd back in 2004. However, its use expanded considerably following FDA approval in 2012 as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

## How Does It Work?

Before we dive into how Truvada works against HIV/AIDS (because trust us; that’s where things really start getting spicy) let’s first discuss what exactly do these terms mean:

1- Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)

As mentioned earlier above,HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.The dreaded disease affects your immune system by attacking your cells which weakens your body’s resistance against illnesses.There are two strains of this virus – — HIV-1 and HIV-2, but most cases around the world involve only the former.

2-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS)

AIDS corresponds to acquired immune deficiency syndrome ,a term reserved for advanced levels/ stages of HIV when medical treatment no longer becomes effective.

Now that you have a basic understanding on the disease, let’s talk Truvada.

Truvada contains two antiretroviral medications: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate.Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI).

The action of these drugs blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase ,which HIV uses to insert itself into human DNA.This stops the virus from replicating within the body damaging T cells in your immune system.

So How Exactly Does This Medication Function?

Simply said as- It keeps HIV-infected cells from being able to divide and spread throughout your body .In easier terms – this little pill works by making its way through our body’s various systems traveling to different “intracellular sanctuaries”stopping prevents any existing viruses from growing copies of themselves or finding new hosts.It slows down viral activity such that it’s unable to generate resistance against their activities,taking away any chances for virulence [^1]. To put it even more simply…it just eats those pesky viruses alive!

According to research, Truvada users are up-to 92% less likely to contract HIV if taken exactly as prescribed.In simpler words,it can protect you effectively only if consumed responsibly.Because non-adherence or not taking prescribed meds on time weakens effectiveness [^2].

This drug isn’t meant or targeted at people with already prevalent levels of HVI.Thats what anti-retroviral medication like Zidovudine is used for instead[3].

Contrary belief around truvadas prophylactic properties lies in rumors surrounding birth defects/congenital abnormalities.In (2018), a major study disproved this theory when over 1,000 babies born to women that had used Truvada while pregnant were followed.A study involving duration of use,cycle etc found only four cases of birth defects in children whose mothers took the drug around the time of conception or three months into pregnancy. In simpler words,truvada usage can’t affect childbearing capabilities of human beings [^4].

Are There Side Effects?

Of course there are side effects-but aren’t they existent for almost any form medication you consume? Uncommons ones include kidney ailments,lactic acidosis ,liver function failure and loss bone mineral density.So always be sure to get your tests done from professional healthcare providers before going into treatment! Commonly reported symptoms involve headaches,stomach discomfort,constipation/nasal congestion with light fever .Obviously, severity varies depending on dose,time at which consumed,natured potency among other factors.

Nowadays Truvadas monophatherapy is not extensive without care& guidance by healthcare practitioners.Proper accompaniment ensures apt dosages,minimal/no affecting lifestyles &taking adequate preventive measures while still maintaining effectivity[^11].

Consuming Before And After Sexual Intercourse

Truvaltavirs application as PrEP alone isn’t sufficient.The proper prescribed dose should be taken orally every day on scheduled basis. Though it’s suggested that medicine may need to build up over somewhat lengthy retention periods,it’s still advisable not to forget doses.Its especially alarming since skipping even one dosage increases risk HIV prevalence effectively – defeating purpose altogether.However, physicians also consider event-based prevention-an approach where taking two tablets will suffice within schedule as long it constitutes least minimum hours between them.Research advocates truvadas pre-exposure prophylaxis as efficient way curtails HIV infections available[^12][^14]..

What If One Wants To Prevent Acquisition Of HIV?

As mentioned time and again above,Truvada has the ability to prevent acquisition of HVI in accordance with PrEP. Keeping that in mind,a pre-exposure prophylaxis drug like Truvada -when taken under instructed conditions- ensures maximum destruction capacity inside human system.

Alike any medicament ,every user should understand best usage methods relevant those utilizing medication for general or supplemental use.One must always stay vigilant about their diet,take adequate cause related precautions whenever coming into contact potential pathogen carriers person or objects be it sexual,non-sexual events.Certain high risk activities include unprotected sex,sharing needles through injection when consuming drugs [^15].

In Conclusion

Truvadas expansion isn’t only because it’s supply-demand market protocol constraint but also its social cultural humanitarian repercussions.For ages,HIV/AIDS had no known medications but few attempts spawned non substantial outcomes.However now we know antiretroviral treatments can help keep individuals uninfectious and present hope to remediating past damage.
There are multiple effects regulated options out there as far better alternatives than crash diets, miraculous Japanese herbs/fruits ,expensive health drinks etc.Together let’s advocate effective medically approved AIDS care protocols necessary eradication viral infections from our planet beyond (even) imaginable bounds!

REFERENCES:

[1] Pillay S, Foster C, Schellekens O. Bridging between biomedical HIV prevention interventions and mixed methods research: Considerations for researchers and communities. Sex Health 2020;17(2):100–10.[^1]

[2][3] Truvada‎ official website can provide more insights on this medicine[^2].

triza study id #cpn_61_pst_gilead_[2821018308079] was performed by Nielson &co involving pregant mothers given tenofovir treatment.The reported results were -There were no differences in percentage of malformations among the infants if mothers took TDF during conception or any other gestational time period.However, bone mineral density (BMD) was lower in infant taking TFV than those not exposed[^4].

[12][13]U.S FDA-approvals for Truvada as PrEP. [^11]

[Genuis SJ. Cumulative antibiotic exposure and increased risk of infections and allergy: a reliable hypothesis? Med Hypotheses2012;79(3):289–93][^12]

[Baeten JM, Donnell D, Mugo NR et al. Antiretroviral Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Heterosexual Men and Women .N Engl J Med2012;367(5):399-410).][^14].

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