Descovy
Pronunciation: Des-co-vee
Generic name: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide
Dosage form: oral tablet
Drug class: Antiviral combinations
What is Descovy?
Descovy is used to protect against getting HIV (this is called HIV-PreP) and also to treat HIV in those with an established HIV-1 infection in combination with other antivirals.
Descovy is a prescription medicine containing 2 antivirals, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. Both work by blocking the activity of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme HIV produces that allows it to infect cells and make more viruses. They both belong to a class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
- When used for PrEP, as long as consistent levels of Descovy are maintained in the blood, it will stop the virus from multiplying and spreading from the site of infection if a person is exposed to the virus.
- When used to treat HIV-1 infection, Descovy when taken in combination with at least one other HIV medicine, reduces the amount of HIV in the blood and keeps it at a low level. This reduces viral load and improves the CD4+ T cell count. Descovy will not cure HIV infection or AIDS, but it may hold off damage to the immune system and the development of infections and diseases associated with AIDS.
Descovy is a similar drug to Truvada, also used to prevent and treat HIV-1 infection. The difference between them is that Descovy contains a newer form of tenofovir that is more efficient (see Truvada vs Descovy: How do they compare for HIV and PrEP?).
Indications and FDA approvals
Descovy was approved on April 4, 2016 for:
- HIV Prevention (PrEP) in adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds (35 kg).
- Descovy is taken daily by HIV-negative individuals to prevent HIV.
- HIV-1 treatment in combination with other HIV medications in:
- adults and children who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg)
- children who weigh at least 31 pounds (14 kg) and less than 77 pounds (35 kg) together with specific other HIV-1 medicines.
Important Note: Descovy for PrEP is not approved for use in people assigned female at birth (cisgender females) who are at risk of HIV-1 infection from vaginal sex because clinical trials have not studied Descovy in this population. Descovy is only approved for males and transgender women.
Critical Safety Information
Before Starting Descovy for PrEP
You must:
- Confirm you are HIV-negative through testing
- Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV)
- Inform your healthcare provider about any flu-like symptoms within the last month
- Discuss all existing medical conditions and medications
For PrEP Users
To use Descovy safely for HIV prevention:
- Maintain regular HIV testing (at least every 3 months)
- Practice safer sex using latex or polyurethane condoms
- Get regular STI testing
- Never miss doses
- Know your partner's HIV status
- Report any potential HIV exposure immediately.
Descovy side effects
The most common Descovy side effects are:
- nausea (most common in HIV-1 treatment)
- diarrhea (most common in PrEP)
- headache, dizziness, feeling depressed or tired
- sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams
- stomach pain
- weight loss
- rash.
Serious side effects and warnings
Critical Side Effects to Watch For:
Worsening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
- Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before and when you start treatment with Descovy
- HBV may worsen or flare up if you stop taking Descovy
- Regular monitoring is required, and for several months after stopping Descovy
- Do not run out of Descovy and never stop your medication without a healthcare provider consultation.
Immune System Changes
- Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking medicines to treat HIV-1 infection.
- Your immune system may become stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time.
- Watch for signs of new infections.
- Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Kidney Problems
- New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure, may develop after starting Descovy.
- Regular blood and urine tests are needed.
- This may require dose adjustments.
Lactic Acidosis
Rarely, Descovy may cause too much lactic acid to build up in your blood. Seek immediate medical attention for:
- Unusual muscle pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe fatigue
- Stomach pain with nausea
- Irregular heartbeat
Liver Problems
Rarely, Descovy may cause severe liver problems that can lead to death. Watch for:
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
Do not take Descovy if you also take other medicines that contain emtricitabine, tenofovir, lamivudine, or adefovir. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Descovy: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Before taking this medicine
For people taking Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP:
Do not take Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP if:
- you already have an HIV-1 infection. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with Descovy to treat HIV-1. Descovy by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1
- you do not know your HIV-1 infection status. You may already be HIV-1 positive. You need to take other HIV-1 medicines with Descovy to treat HIV-1 infection.
Descovy can only help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection before you are infected.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Descovy?
Before taking Descovy, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have any flu-like symptoms
- have liver problems, including HBV infection
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Pregnancy
It is not known if Descovy can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during treatment with Descovy.
Pregnancy Registry: There is a pregnancy registry for people who take Descovy during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.
Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed if you take Descovy for treatment of HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.
One of the ingredients in Descovy (emtricitabine) passes into your breast milk.
How should I take Descovy?
Take Descovy exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
- Take one dose daily
- Can be taken with or without food
- For dialysis patients: Take after dialysis
- Never skip doses or stop treatment without medical advice
- Maintain an adequate supply. Do not run out of Descovy as it may increase your risk of infection from HIV and other viruses.
Descovy (PrEP) alone will not protect you from infection with HIV. You must also use safer sex practices and get tested for HIV before starting prophylaxis and at least once every 3 months.
How long does Descovy take to work?
When taking Descovy for PrEP, the time to reach maximum protection varies depending on your risk factors.
For Receptive Anal Sex
- Takes 7 days of daily use before Descovy protects against HIV-1
- Must take one pill every day
- Provides over 99% protection when used consistently
For Receptive Vaginal Sex
- Takes 21 days of daily use before Descovy protects against HIV-1
- Requires strict daily adherence
- Over 99% effective with daily use
For Injection Drug Use
- Takes 21 days to reach maximum protection
- Reduces HIV risk by at least 74%
- Must be taken every day
Important Notes:
- Effectiveness depends on taking Descovy every day without missing doses
- Protection levels are based on consistent, daily use
- Starting PrEP requires a negative HIV test and ongoing monitoring
- Must be combined with other safer sex practices
Currently Unknown Factors:
The following is not known:
- Time to reach protection for insertive anal sex
- Time to reach protection for insertive vaginal sex
- How this timeline for Descovy compares to injectable cabotegravir (Apretude). See Apretude vs Descovy: How do they compare?
Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific situation and risk factors.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular schedule. Do not use two doses at one time.
Skipping doses could make the virus resistant to medication or increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Descovy?
Using this medicine will not prevent HIV from spreading.
Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing needles is never safe.
What other drugs will affect Descovy?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Emtricitabine and tenofovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
-
seizure medicine - carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital; or
-
other antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with emtricitabine and tenofovir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Descovy ingredients
Active ingredient: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.
Inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.
The 200 mg/25 mg tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing indigo carmine aluminum lake, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.
The 120 mg/15 mg tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and talc.
Available as
- Descovy 120 mg/15 mg (emtricitabine 120 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 15 mg)
- Descovy 200 mg/25 mg (emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg).
Storage
- Store your Descovy tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F)
- Keep them in their original container.
Who makes Descovy?
Descovy is manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Foster City, California. Some of Gilead's other notable HIV medications include:
Beyond HIV treatments, Gilead is known for:
- Veklury (remdesivir) for COVID-19
- Harvoni and Sovaldi for hepatitis C
- Vemlidy for chronic hepatitis B
- Yescarta for certain types of lymphoma
- Tecartus for mantle cell lymphoma.
Popular FAQ
Descovy vs Truvada: How do they compare for HIV / PrEP?
Truvada and Descovy are both two-drug, antiviral combinations containing emtricitabine and tenofovir for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection. Descovy contains a newer form of tenofovir called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and Truvada contains the original form of tenofovir as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). TAF has less toxicities related to bone and kidneys. Continue reading
Apretude vs Descovy: How do they compare?
Apretude (cabotegravir) and Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) are both effective options for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but they differ in how they are taken, dosing frequency, and side effects. In addition to PrEP, Descovy may also be taken to treat HIV-1 infection. Continue reading
How do I get a Descovy copay card and save on costs?
You can get a Descovy copay card by signing up for the Gilead Advancing Access Program online or by calling 1-800-226-2056. If you have commercial insurance you may be eligible to save up to $7,200 per calendar year on your prescription copay with no monthly limit. Continue reading
Does Descovy cause weight gain?
Yes, Descovy can lead to weight gain, with studies showing an increase of 1.8 kg to 4.47 kg (4 to 9.8 lb) per year in people living with HIV, and around 1 kg (2.2 lb) over 48 weeks when used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Weight gain typically occurs within the first 9 months and slows after this time. Continue reading
More FAQ
- What is the difference between Biktarvy and Descovy?
- Can Descovy be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in HIV?
References
More about Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)
- Check interactions
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- Reviews (21)
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- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: antiviral combinations
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.