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 | Descovy | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approval | August 2, 2004 | April 4, 2016 |
| Generic Name | emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) | emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) |
| How Supplied |
Tablets
|
Tablets
|
| Indications |
HIV-1 Infection
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
|
HIV-1 Infection
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
|
Truvada and Descovy are both manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc.
References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Truvada. Highlights of Prescribing Information. [Accessed February 05, 2021]. Available online at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/021752s061lbl.pdf
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Descovy. Highlights of Prescribing Information. [Accessed February 05, 2021]. Available online at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/208215s011lbl.pdf- FDA Approves Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), Gilead’s Third TAF-Based HIV Therapy [Accessed February 05, 2021]. Available online at: https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2016/4/us-food-and-drug-administration-approves-descovy-emtricitabine-tenofovir-alafenamide-gileads-third-tafbased-hiv-therapy
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