Ricovir-EM Vs Tenvir-EM for PrEP

Tenvir-EM and Ricovir-EM are generic anti-retroviral medicines that can be used in the prophylaxis strategy (i.e. PrEP) as stand-alone drugs or alongside other HIV medications for the treatment of the infection. Both drugs contain tenofovir and emtricitabine (the active ingredients) which make them very effective for the procedure.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) refers to a procedure that involves the use of antiretroviral medicines to protect individuals who are currently void of HIV infection. The procedure has been approved by the world health organization (WHO) and the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as an effective and safe preventive strategy against the viral infection.

Both drugs are formulated after the original drug. Truvada, when combined with other safe sexual measures, like the use of latex condoms, can reduce the chances of non-infected individuals from contracting the virus by over 90%. However, for both drugs to be effective, they need to be taken properly.

When used as PrEP, the drugs work by preventing the virus from setting up a permanent infection.

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⭐Ricovir-EM Vs Tenvir-EM: Main Features

Ricovir-EM tablets are made of the active ingredients – TDF and emtricitabine in the ratio of 300 mg and 200 mg respectively. The pills are used in the prophylaxis strategy for preventing infection or transmission of HIV. It is formulated by Mylan, a renowned pharmaceutical company, and it comes in a bottle of 30 tablets. However, more than 30 pills can be bought at once.

Tenvir-EM contains the same active constituents as Ricovir-EM, and it does so in the same concentration, as is required for effectiveness. Though both drugs have very similar features, they differ in some areas.

The table below explains the features of the two PrEP medications:

Main Features of Ricovir-EM Main Features of Tenvir-EM
Active ingredient Emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir (300 mg) Emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir (300 mg)
Usage/application PrEP/HIV infection PrEP/HIV infection
Company name Mylan Pharmaceuticals Manufactured by Cipla Limited
Drug group Belongs to the first group of antiretroviral drugs known as NRTI Also belongs to the first group of antiretroviral drugs.
Indications Indicated for effectively treating HIV-1 infection, when combined with other antiretrovirals Also indicated for effectively treating HIV-1 infection, when combined with other antiretrovirals
Pill identification It is debossed with “GSI” on a side and “225” on the other. Film-coated tablets with “TNV” debossed on one side, while the other is left plain.
Package type Packaged in HDPE (high-density polythene) bottle HDPE bottle
Dosage form Rectangular shaped tablet Capsule shaped tablet

🔍Is Ricovir-EM As Safe As Tenvir-EM?

So far, no study has proven that either of the two drugs is safer than the other; neither has any finding shown that any offers more protection than the other. This is because both drug formulations are based on the same active constituents, so they are more or less the same.

The only difference between the two drugs is the manufacturer, branding and some inactive ingredients. The two drugs are equally safe for HIV prophylaxis.

Generally, both drugs are considered to be equally safe for use. People all over the world use these two medications in place of Truvada, which costs more and is not always readily available.

🤔Do These Drugs Have the Same Action?

Though both drugs are formulated by different companies, their active constituents are the same as those contained in Truvada. Hence, they have exactly the same action.

The whole essence of pre-exposure prophylaxis medications is to protect people who are currently uninfected by HIV but face a high risk of exposure to the virus from getting infected. Truvada was the first approved medication for this purpose. However, over time, more pharmaceutical companies have created generic PrEP medications that have the same exact active constituents contained in Truvada (i.e. emtricitabine 200 mg and 300 mg of tenofovir DF). Among such PrEP medications are Tenvir-EM and Ricovir-EM.

🕘Dosage of Ricovir-EM Vs Tenvir-EM

The recommended dosage of Ricovir-EM is one tablet daily. The tablet is administered orally and can be taken with, or in the absence of, a meal. This dose is for individuals ranging from 12 years and older and weighing at least 35 kg, and have a creatinine clearance equal to or greater than 30 ml per minute.

Similarly, the recommended dosage of these generic alternatives of Truvada for HIV prophylaxis in uninfected adolescents and adults weighing about 35 kg is one tablet daily, administered orally. The medication can be taken with or without food.

In other words, both medications perform the same purpose, and have the same dosage based on the fact that they are formulated with exactly the same vital constituents.

😵Ricovir-EM & Tenvir-EM Side Effects

Just as with every other drug, Tenvir-EM and Ricovir-EM may lead to some side effects, especially if used incorrectly. The side effects found to be closely linked to the use of these drugs have been observed to be very similar. This is due to the fact that both drugs are formulated with the same active ingredients, in the same amounts. Common side effects experienced as reported by individual users of both medicines include:

  • diarrhea;
  • chest pain;
  • fever;
  • cough
  • indigestion;
  • abdominal pain;
  • headache;
  • dizziness;
  • depression;
  • rash.

One other serious but very uncommon side effects associated with both drugs is the build up of lactate in the body. Lactic acidosis is the overproduction of lactic acid which leads to its build-up to dangerous levels in the blood. It is caused by a liver damage.

Most cases of the listed negative side effects have been associated with incorrect usage of the drug. Users can avoid experiencing them by strictly adhering to the prescription.

Patients with a known reaction to tenofovir or emtricitabine are advised not to use these drugs without prior discussions with a doctor or healthcare provider. They also should not be used by patients with severe loss of kidney function (i.e. renal impairment) as they pose a high chance of increasing the risk of negative side effects [1].

🔁Differences in Interaction

Tenvir-EM Interactions

Research conducted on adult volunteers who were in good health have revealed the following about Tenvir-EM interactions [2]:

  • the conditions surrounding the movement of tenofovir and emtricitabine were not affected when both drugs were taken together, compared to when each product was taken alone;
  • it was discovered that the potential for cytochrome P450 conciliate interactions in vitro and clinical Tenvir-EM inter-bodily interactions concomitant with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil alongside other medicines is on the low side;
  • Tenvir-EM should not be taken along with other medications containing TDF e.g. emtricitabine or lamivudine, fumarate, TAF (tenofovir alafenamide), phosphate or succinate;
  • having Tenvir-EM administered with other medicines that lead to a decrease in renal function or medicines that discharged via active tubular exuding may cause an increase in the concentrations of serum of either the co-administered drug or emtricitabine as a result of competition for the elimination pathway;
  • Tenvir-EM should not be taken together with recent or concurrent use of a nephrotoxic medication such as amphotericin B, acyclovir, aminoglycosides, foscarnet and multiple or high-dose anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal drugs;
  • Tenvir-EM should not be combined with lamivudine when used in the treatment of HIV;
  • also, it is not recommended to take Tenvir-EM and didanosine together.

Ricovir-EM Interactions

Main interactions of Ricovir-EM:

  • the use of didanosine and Ricovir-EM together should be done with caution and patients doing this should be closely monitored for adverse reactions that are associated with didanosine. Should the adverse reaction occur, didanosine should be discontinued;
  • Ricovir-EM decreases the Cmin and AUC of atazanavir. When atazanavir is used with Ricovir-EM, it is recommended that atazanavir is taken with ritonavir 100 mg. Ricovir-EM should be not be taken with atazanavir without ritonavir;
  • Combining Ricovir-EM with drugs that are discharged via tubular exuding may boost concentrations of the other drug, emtricitabine or tenofovir.

Generally, there are no studies showing serious interactions based on the administration of both tenofovir and emtricitabine. This means that both medications, which are emtricitabine and tenofovir-based meds, will cause no complications when used. However, the components of these meds have been found to interact with a couple other drugs (some of which are listed above).

The interactions of both medicines vary slightly due to the slight difference in the other ingredients that make them up. It is strongly recommended that people with underlying health conditions or who are on other drugs consult with their doctor or healthcare provider before co-administering. The doctor will dish out advice on what drugs to go on with or discontinue before using either drug.

🏭Ricovir-EM Vs Tenvir-EM Manufacturers

While Truvada equivalents are formulated almost in the same way, and with the same working principle to fulfill the same purpose, they are formulated by entirely different pharmaceuticals.

The table is a breakdown Ricovir-EM vs Tenvir-EM manufacturers at a glance:

Ricovir-EM Tenvir-EM
Name Mylan Pharmaceuticals Cipla Pharmaceutical Company
Location of headquarter Pennsylvania, United States of America Mumbai, India
CEO Heather Bresch Umang Vohra

Mylan has been in existence for over 60 years now and has since been committed to making drugs more accessible. They sold about fifty-nine (59) billion doses of medicine. Most of them being in the form of capsules, tablets and injectables.

Founded in 1898 and incorporated in 1935, Cipla is a globally recognized pharmaceutical company that is dedicated to branded and generic high-quality medicines. With a presence in over 80 countries worldwide, Cipla is trusted by patients and healthcare providers across geographies.

💵Is the Cost of Pills Different?

The cost of the pills for both Tenvir-EM and Ricovir-EM may vary from country to country and from store to store. While some stores sell the pills with a slight difference in price, some others sell them at exactly the same price.

Certain determining factors of the difference in the cost of the pills include the store’s suppliers (i.e. who they buy from), the profit they intend to make, and the quantity a user intends to buy. For instance, some stores offer great discounts on bulk purchases. More info about HIV risks and prevention strategies, as well as where to get the best deals for PrEP pills, can be found on HIVPrEP.

📋Additional Facts of Ricovir-EM Vs Tenvir-EM

Both medications control HIV effectively when used alongside other antiretroviral medicines. Also, they help uninfected individuals avoid getting infected (when they are taken correctly). These drugs work by inhibiting reverse transcriptase – a type of enzyme that the virus uses to replicate and spread throughout the patient’s body.

While these drugs work effectively, they are not meant to be taken by everyone, especially people with certain conditions. For example, people:

  • who have liver or kidney disease;
  • who have HBV (hepatitis B);
  • who are expecting a baby or breastfeeding.

People with the listed conditions should consult a doctor or medical practitioner before using the pills.

While taking any of these drugs, there might be situations where a dose is missed. The missed dose should be administered immediately if it is remembered. However, if it is time for another dose to be taken, the skipped dose should be forgotten. A double dose should be completely avoided, as it can lead to serious complications. Upon missing a dose of this drug, users should take it as soon as it is remembered.

These drugs are best stored in place that is cool and dry (i.e environments below 25 degrees centigrade – 25°C).

Both drugs can be taken with or without food, but it is recommended that the pills be taken with a glass of water. Finally, medication with these drugs or other medicines for HIV treatment should never be stopped abruptly as it can lead to drug resistance.

When it comes to addressing the central issue of this content, which is based on which is a better option for PrEP, Ricovir-EM Vs Tenvir-EM, it can be seen that both meds are good enough. The short of it is that both medicines are created by different industries, they are the same in terms of functionality, and any can be used. It all depends on what’s available.

However, the drugs should not be used interchangeably. Once started, one should follow the instruction from a healthcare provider or doctor. As stated previously, this will prevent the possibility of drug resistance.

📚References

  1. Drug information on Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for patients and consumers. Aidsinfo.nih.gov. November 2, 2012.
  2. WHO public assessment report on Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate 200mg/300 mg Tablets, Part 4. February 2012.
Logan Morris

Expert in pharmaceutical practice and antiviral medicine, founder of HIVPrEP. Main goal is to popularize HIV topics and create awareness for global masses on how to prevent the disease and how to use HIV medication safely.

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