Truvada vs Descovy: How do they compare for HIV and 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. The difference between Truvada and Descovy is in the form of tenofovir contained in each product. Descovy contains a newer form of tenofovir called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and Truvada contains the original form of tenofovir as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Tenofovir alafenamide is a prodrug of tenofovir that has been designed to enter HIV-infected cells more efficiently than TDF, and it can therefore be given at a much lower dose (less than one-tenth) than TDF. TAF appears to be associated with less kidney toxicity and decreases in bone density compared to TDF.

Truvada and Descovy are both manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc.