Tenofovir-Associated Adverse Effects

Major Serious Adverse Effects

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends monitoring for kidney dysfunction, as it is the most concerning adverse effect of tenofovir, manifesting as proximal tubular dysfunction, acute kidney injury, or chronic kidney disease 1, 2
Risk of kidney dysfunction is especially elevated when TDF is combined with ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors or in patients with preexisting renal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 3
The TAF formulation achieves lower plasma tenofovir concentrations and causes significantly less renal toxicity compared to TDF, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2

Nausea is the most frequently reported side effect, occurring in 8-18.5% of patients, as reported by the American Medical Association 4, 5
Diarrhea and vomiting are common, with vomiting reported in 11.3% versus 7.1% in placebo groups, according to the American Medical Association 4
Headache is commonly reported, with dizziness occurring in 15.1% versus 11.0% in placebo groups, as reported by the American Medical Association 4

Elevated creatinine occurs in approximately 2% of patients, versus 1% with placebo, as reported by the American Medical Association 4, 5
Decreased phosphorus levels occur in less than 1% of patients, according to the American Medical Association 4, 5
TAF may be associated with higher blood lipid levels than TDF, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1

Baseline and periodic renal function testing is essential before and during treatment, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3
Completion rates for TAF-containing regimens range from 82-96% in clinical studies, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1