&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Teno-Em: What It Is and How It Helps Prevent HIV&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have been looking into HIV prevention options, you may have come across &lt;strong&gt;Teno-Em&lt;/strong&gt;. It is an oral medication containing two antiretroviral drugs &amp;mdash; tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) &amp;mdash; used as part of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In Thailand, the &lt;a href=&quot;https://en.fda.moph.go.th/&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; lists Teno-Em as a tablet containing 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil and 200 mg of emtricitabine.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here is what you need to know about Teno-Em, how oral PrEP works, and why medical screening and ongoing follow-up are important.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Teno-Em?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teno-Em is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing two active antiretroviral ingredients:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) &amp;ndash; 300 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emtricitabine (FTC) &amp;ndash; 200 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Both active ingredients belong to a class of antiretroviral drugs called &lt;strong&gt;nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teno-Em contains the same active ingredients and strengths as Truvada: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) 300 mg and emtricitabine (FTC) 200 mg. Truvada is an established branded formulation developed by &lt;a href=&quot;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilead_Sciences&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gilead Sciences&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;However, always identify individual medicines by their approved product information rather than assuming different brands can be substituted without professional advice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Teno-Em Used For?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teno-Em is used as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;PrEP is for people who do not have HIV and may have a higher chance of HIV exposure.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;It is a prevention tool, not a cure or treatment for someone living with HIV.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;It forms part of a broader HIV prevention strategy, alongside appropriate sexual health care and regular testing. &lt;em&gt;(Note: Oral PrEP does not protect against &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cdc.gov/sti/index.html&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;, so condom use is still highly recommended.)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does Teno-Em Work?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teno-Em contains medicines from the &lt;strong&gt;nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)&lt;/strong&gt; class.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;HIV uses an enzyme called &lt;strong&gt;reverse transcriptase&lt;/strong&gt; to make copies of its genetic material during infection. Tenofovir and emtricitabine interfere with this process.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When adequate levels of the medicines are present, they help prevent HIV from establishing an infection.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is why PrEP needs to be used as part of appropriate medical care, including HIV testing and ongoing follow-up.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who May Be Offered Oral PrEP?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A healthcare professional may consider oral PrEP for people who do not have HIV and who may have a substantial chance of HIV exposure.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This may include people who:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Have a sexual partner living with HIV whose viral suppression is not established or known&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Have sexual partners whose HIV status is unknown, depending on their overall risk of HIV exposure&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Have condomless sex and may be exposed to HIV&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Have previously needed PEP because of repeated potential exposure&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;May be exposed to HIV through injection drug use&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Individual circumstances differ, so a healthcare professional can help determine whether oral PrEP is an appropriate prevention option.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HIV Testing Before and During PrEP&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;HIV testing is an essential part of PrEP care.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Before starting oral PrEP, healthcare professionals need to establish that the person does not have HIV. Regular HIV testing is also recommended during PrEP use.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is important because taking PrEP when someone already has HIV can provide an incomplete HIV treatment regimen and may contribute to the development of drug resistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Regular sexual health screening may also be recommended depending on individual circumstances.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hepatitis B and Teno-Em&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Another important consideration is &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;hepatitis B virus (HBV)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tenofovir and emtricitabine are also active against hepatitis B. People considering oral PrEP should therefore be assessed for hepatitis B before starting treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For someone with active hepatitis B, stopping medicines containing tenofovir and emtricitabine without appropriate medical follow-up can cause a rebound in hepatitis B activity and potentially lead to liver problems.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Anyone with hepatitis B should discuss PrEP with a healthcare professional before starting or stopping oral PrEP.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kidney Function and Teno-Em&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Because tenofovir can affect kidney function, kidney health should be assessed before and during oral PrEP.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Current guidance recommends evaluating kidney function before starting oral PrEP and monitoring it periodically during care. The appropriate frequency depends on factors such as existing kidney function, age, and other health considerations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;People with kidney problems should discuss their PrEP options with a healthcare professional.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Side Effects and Safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Most people tolerate TDF/FTC-based PrEP well. Some people may experience side effects, particularly when starting treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Possible side effects can include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nausea&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Headache&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Diarrhoea&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fatigue&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These effects are often mild, but persistent or concerning symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Long-term care may also include consideration of bone health, particularly for people with relevant risk factors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Effective Is Teno-Em for HIV Prevention?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;TDF/FTC-based oral PrEP is a well-established HIV prevention option.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When used as prescribed, oral PrEP can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through sex by about 99%, according to the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/hiv-prevention/prep.html&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CDC&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Effectiveness depends on factors including adherence and the type of exposure.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Regular HIV testing and ongoing clinical follow-up remain important even when PrEP is being used.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequently Asked Questions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Teno-Em the same as Truvada?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teno-Em contains the same active ingredients and strengths as Truvada: tenofovir disoproxil 300 mg and emtricitabine 200 mg.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;However, people should use the specific medicine recommended or supplied by their healthcare professional rather than assuming they can substitute different products without advice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Teno-Em cure HIV?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;No. Teno-Em, used as PrEP, is intended to help prevent HIV infection. It is not a cure for HIV and should not be used as a substitute for a complete HIV treatment regimen.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;People who have HIV need appropriate antiretroviral treatment prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do I need regular HIV testing while taking PrEP?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Yes. Regular HIV testing is an important part of PrEP care.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Healthcare professionals may also monitor kidney function and provide STI screening or other sexual health services according to individual needs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Teno-Em protect against other STIs?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;No. PrEP is designed to prevent HIV. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Condoms, regular STI testing and other prevention measures can help reduce the risk of other STIs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Teno-Em and HIV Prevention&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teno-Em is an oral PrEP option containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC). By helping prevent HIV from establishing an infection, PrEP can be an important part of HIV prevention for people who may be exposed to HIV.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PrEP works alongside regular HIV testing, sexual health screening and other prevention strategies. The right prevention approach depends on each person&#39;s circumstances.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you are considering PrEP or have questions about HIV prevention, speak with a qualified healthcare professional for personalised advice.&lt;/p&gt;

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