Can Descovy be used for PrEP in HIV?
Yes. The FDA approved Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in October 2019 to help reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection.
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention strategy where people who do not have HIV take medication daily to lower their risk of acquiring the virus if exposed.
What is Descovy?
Descovy is a combination of two HIV nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs):
- Emtricitabine
- Tenofovir alafenamide
It was first approved by the FDA in 2016 for the treatment of HIV-1 infection and later for PrEP.
Who Can Use Descovy for PrEP?
Descovy is FDA-approved for PrEP in:
- At-risk, adult and adolescent HIV-negative men and transgender women (≥35 kg)
Who Should NOT Use Descovy for PrEP?
Descovy is not approved for:
- Cisgender women or individuals at risk of HIV from vaginal sex, as its effectiveness has not been studied in this population.
How is Descovy Taken?
Descovy is an oral tablet taken once daily with or without food.
Summary
Descovy is an effective PrEP option for HIV prevention in eligible populations, but it is not recommended for individuals at risk through vaginal sex. A healthcare provider can help determine the most suitable PrEP option based on individual risk factors and health needs.
Descovy is the second medicine approved for PrEP, after the approval of Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) in 2012.
See Medications for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
References
- Descovy [package insert]. 2025. Gilead Sciences, Inc. Accessed March 31, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=06f66e98-e6ee-4538-9506-6c1282cc14c1
Read next
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
Who are the actors in the Descovy commercial?
The actors that feature in the Descovy commercial “Prep Up”, released on January 27, 2020, are Christopher Rivas, Hailie Sahar, Vladimir Versailles, Trevor La Paglia, and Michael Cory Davis. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Descovy Information for Consumers
- Descovy prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Descovy (detailed)
- Descovy user reviews (22)
Related support groups
- Descovy (8 questions, 5 members)
- HIV Infection (99 questions, 250 members)
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (25 questions, 9 members)