This is the name of a drug that is still being studied for the treatment of HIV. Likewise, research is being done to treat chronic hepatitis B. Tenofovir alafenamide is part of a group of HIV medications called "nucleotide reverse transcriptase" inhibitors (NRTIs).
These drugs block reverse transcriptase, thus preventing and reducing the multiplication of HIV in the body. Alafenamide tenofovir is considered a prodrug, meaning that it is an inactive drug that, once taken, does not work until the body converts it to an active form.
Research suggests that this drug may be more effective in treating HIV and cause fewer side effects than NTIT tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, which is FDA approved.
Investigational drugs must go through three phases prior to approval and sale. Once it is approved and available to the public, researchers monitor its safety so they can obtain information about the drug's risks and benefits.
Tenofovir alafenamide is currently in phase III study; part of two different fixed-dose combinations and comes in tablets.
In studies, the occurrence of side effects when administering this drug was mild to moderate. Some of these effects were reported by the participants taking the pill: diarrhea, respiratory infection, nausea, skin rash. However, this information is not yet completely complete as this drug is still under study.
