Viraday is a fixed-dose combination tablet that contains three antiretroviral medicines: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It is used as part of long-term treatment for HIV infection in adults and adolescents. By combining these three active ingredients in a single daily dose, Viraday helps improve treatment adherence and simplifies the management of HIV.

Mechanism of Action
Viraday works by targeting different stages of the HIV replication process:

• Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It binds directly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme and changes its shape, which interferes with the virus’s ability to copy its RNA into DNA.

• Emtricitabine and tenofovir are nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, respectively. They mimic natural components of viral DNA, but once incorporated into the growing DNA chain, they cause premature termination. This stops the virus from multiplying further.

  Uses
  Viraday is used for:

  • Treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 40 kg

  • It may be used in treatment-naïve patients or in those already stable on individual components

  • Often part of first-line therapy in many HIV treatment guidelines, especially in low- and middle-income settings

    Adverse Effects

    Common side effects may include:

    • Dizziness

    • Difficulty sleeping or vivid dreams

    • Tiredness

    • Headache

    • Diarrhoea

    • Skin rash