WHO SHOULD TAKE TRUVADA?
Truvada was approved in 2004 as an antiretroviral drug (ARV) for people with HIV infection. It has not been carefully studied in children or older people. There are no absolute rules about when to start antiviral therapy (ART). You and your health care provider should consider your CD4 cell count, your viral load, any symptoms you are having, and your attitude about taking ART. Fact Sheet 404 has more information about guidelines for the use of ART. If you take Truvada with other ARVs, you can reduce your viral load to extremely low levels, and increase your CD4 cell counts. This should mean staying healthier longer. Truvada has not been tested in people under 18 years old and people who have hepatitis B infection. They should not take Truvada without careful discussion with their health care provider. Some people with HIV had their hepatitis B get worse after they stopped taking emtricitabine, which is part of Truvada. Get tested for hepatitis B before you start taking Truvada to trea
