Emtricitabine-TenofovirEmtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil

About Emtricitabine-Tenofovir

Both pair emtricitabine with a form of tenofovir to block reverse transcriptase, an enzyme HIV needs to multiply. Truvada and its generics contain 200 mg emtricitabine and 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate; Descovy contains 200 mg emtricitabine and 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide. They are different products, and a pharmacy cannot swap one for the other.

For treatment, either is combined with other HIV medicines: Truvada from 17 kg, Descovy from 14 kg. For PrEP, either is taken daily by at-risk adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg. Descovy’s PrEP approval excludes people at risk from receptive vaginal sex, and its main PrEP trial enrolled men and transgender women who have sex with men; Truvada’s has no such exclusion. The labels tie PrEP’s effectiveness closely to daily use.

Both carry two boxed warnings. In people with hepatitis B, stopping either can cause a severe flare, so hepatitis B is tested for first and anyone who has it is followed for several months after stopping. PrEP may be prescribed only to people confirmed HIV-negative just before starting and at least every 3 months, because taking it with undiagnosed HIV can lead to drug resistance.

Both can harm the kidneys, so kidney function, urine glucose and urine protein are checked before and during use. Truvada is not recommended for PrEP below a set level of kidney function and is avoided with recent or high-dose anti-inflammatory painkillers; its label also warns of bone loss and suggests bone density checks after a past fracture or with other risk factors. Descovy’s label has no bone warning, and in the PrEP trial bone density rose slightly on Descovy and fell slightly on Truvada. Diarrhea, nausea and headache are common.

Taking Emtricitabine-Tenofovir

How to take it

One tablet once a day at about the same time, with or without food; for treatment, always with other HIV medicines. Do not stop without talking to your prescriber, and refill before you run out.

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember that day, unless the next dose is almost due; then skip it. Never take more than one dose in a day.

Storage

At room temperature in the original container, tightly closed, away from excess heat and moisture, and out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen can add to kidney harm. Descovy is not recommended with rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin or St. John’s wort, which can lower its levels. Some HIV and hepatitis C medicines raise tenofovir levels from Truvada.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Emtricitabine-Tenofovir differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic Truvada has many makers, so quotes differ mostly by mark-up and dispensing fee. Descovy is brand-only and costly for every pharmacy to buy, and a prescription for it cannot be filled with generic Truvada.

Both are taken long term, so a ninety-day fill carries one dispensing fee instead of three; lab tests are billed separately.

Ways to pay less for Emtricitabine-Tenofovir without insurance

• Ask the prescriber whether generic emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate would suit you.
• If you have insurance or Medicare, check first: HIV.gov says PrEP is free under almost all health insurance plans and that Medicare Part B covers it with no cost-sharing.
• For Descovy, contact Gilead’s Advancing Access program, which offers co-pay savings to people with commercial insurance and free medicine to eligible people without insurance.
• Ask whether your state runs a PrEP program for people without insurance; HIV.gov lists several.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Emtricitabine-Tenofovir

1. 1.Is this generic Truvada or Descovy, as my prescriber intended?
2. 2.When are my next HIV, kidney and hepatitis B tests due?
3. 3.Which painkillers are safe for my kidneys while I take it?
4. 4.What should I do if I miss doses or want to stop?

Related medications