Descovy (Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide) 200mg/10mg

Antiretroviral, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, Nucleoside (Anti-HIV); Antiretroviral, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, Nucleotide (Anti-HIV)

“ALERT: US Boxed Warning

​HIV-1 and hepatitis B coinfection:

Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B (HBV) have been reported in HBV-infected individuals who have discontinued products containing emtricitabine and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and may occur with discontinuation of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide. Hepatic function should be monitored closely with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months in individuals who are infected with HBV and discontinue emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide. If appropriate, anti-HBV therapy may be warranted.

Risk of drug resistance with use for preexposure prophylaxis:

Emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide used for HIV-1 preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) must only be prescribed to individuals confirmed to be HIV-negative immediately prior to initiating and at least every 3 months during use. Drug-resistant HIV-1 variants have been identified with the use of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV-1 PrEP following undetected acute HIV-1 infection. Do not initiate emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide for HIV-1 PrEP if signs or symptoms of acute HIV-1 infection are present unless negative infection status is confirmed.”

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship 

Emtricitabine is a cytosine analogue and tenofovir alafenamide is converted intracellularly to tenofovir (adenosine nucleotide analog) and subsequently phosphorylated by cellular kinases to the active moiety, tenofovir diphosphate. Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide interfere with HIV viral RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities resulting in inhibition of viral replication.

HIV-1 infection; HIV-1 infection, preexposure prophylaxis

Before starting Emtricitabine+Tenofovir Alafenamide, Descovy make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take.  Patients have been known to experience immune reconstitution syndrome, lactic acidosis, hepatomegaly, and renal toxicity while taking Emtricitabine+Tenofovir Alafenamide, Descovy.

Oral: One tablet (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) once daily, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

HIV-1 infection, preexposure prophylaxis: One tablet once daily

How to Take: Take with or without food at the same time each day

Headache, abnormal dreams, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, decreased bone mineral density

Note this is not a complete list of side effects for Emtricitabine+Tenofovir Alafenamide, Descovy only common ones.

1. Do I have to take this medication every day?
   Do not stop taking this medication, it is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped even for a short time. The virus may develop resistance to this medication and become harder to treat.