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Global Insight Network

What is emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate used for?

Author

Jessica Cortez

Updated on April 10, 2026

EMTRICITABINE; TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE (em tri SIT uh bean; te NOE fo veer) is 2 antiretroviral medicines in 1 tablet. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. This medicine can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading HIV to others.

Then, when should I take emtricitabine and tenofovir?

It is usually taken, with or without food, once a day. Take emtricitabine and tenofovir at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take emtricitabine and tenofovir exactly as directed.

Additionally, what is emtricitabine used for? Emtricitabine and tenofovir are antiviral medicines that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body. Emtricitabine and tenofovir is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Secondly, how effective is emtricitabine tenofovir?

Among at-risk heterosexual populations, the efficacy of oral daily tenofovir disoproxil with emtricitabine ranged from RRR 62% (95% CI 22–83, p = 0.03) to RRR 75% (95% CI 55–87, p < 0.0001).

Which involves taking a combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine?

Truvada

Related Question Answers

Who should not take Truvada?

One daily pill can help prevent HIV.

You must be HIV negative before and while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. TRUVADA for PrEP is only for people who are at risk of getting HIV-1 and weigh at least 77 pounds. You must be HIV negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

What are the side effects of tenofovir?

Tenofovir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • diarrhea.
  • headache.
  • depression.
  • rash.
  • itching.
  • fever.
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
  • gas.

How quickly does PrEP work?

How long does it take for PrEP to become protective? It's estimated that it takes at least seven days for PrEP to reach high levels of protection in the body. When used correctly, Truvada for PrEP provides 92%–99% reduction in HIV risk for HIV-negative individuals who take the pills every day as directed.

What is the brand name for tenofovir?

Tenofovir DF (brand name: Viread) comes in the following forms and strengths: 150-mg tablets.

Is Tenofovir the same as Truvada?

Truvada® is the brand name of the generic medicine emtricitabine/tenofovir. This fixed-dose medication is a combination of two antiretroviral medications called tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine and is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Does Truvada cause flu like symptoms?

If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA or at any time while taking TRUVADA.

Can tenofovir be used as Pep?

The use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) instead of AZT as part of a PEP regimen has been associated improved tolerability and higher completion rates, offering the promise of fewer seroconversions (17, 18).

How safe is PrEP medication?

PrEP is highly effective when taken as indicated. The once-daily pill reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70%. Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine PrEP with condoms and other prevention methods.

Is tenofovir a PrEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), can effectively prevent HIV acquisition. However, TDF can cause changes in bone mineral density (BMD). There is little information on the use of PrEP among patients with bone disease.

What medication is used for PrEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at very high risk of getting HIV to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains two medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV.

What is the mechanism of action of tenofovir?

Mechanism of Action:

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is hydrolyzed to tenofovir, which is then phosphorylated to tenofovir diphosphate. Tenofovir diphosphate inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by competing with the natural substrate, deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, and by DNA chain termination.

Can tenofovir cure hepatitis B?

Tenofovir can treat hepatitis B very effectively in some people. In some situations, tenofovir is more effective than adefovir and lamivudine. Research suggests tenofovir is a safe and effective long-term treatment for HBV, especially for people who have developed resistance to lamivudine.

Does PrEP weaken your immune system?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV does not affect the immune response, for the good or the bad. CD4+ T cell maturation and HIV-specific immune responses in PrEP and placebo groups.

What are the side effects of emtricitabine?

Common side effects may include:
  • headache, dizziness, weakness;
  • indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • sleep problems, strange dreams;
  • rash, skin discoloration; or.
  • changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Can I infect someone while on PEP?

No. Unsafe sex while taking PEP could let more HIV into your body, making PEP much more likely not to work. If after taking PEP someone's stayed HIV negative and then has unsafe sex again, they can become infected just like any other HIV negative person.

Is Truvada bad for your liver?

Liver disease: Truvada can cause liver damage. If you have liver disease, Truvada might make your condition worse. Bone disease: Truvada can cause bone loss.

What is another name for emtricitabine?

Emtricitabine/tenofovir
Combination of
Tenofovir disoproxil Nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Clinical data
Trade names Truvada, Tenvir-EM, other
Other names Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

How much does emtricitabine cost?

About Emtricitabine

This medicine can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading HIV to others. The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of emtricitabine is around $141.26, 75% off the average retail price of $573.70.

What are the long term side effects of Truvada?

The most serious long-term side effects of Truvada are kidney and liver problems and bone loss.

Reported side effects in clinical trials for adult patients taking Truvada include:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Fatigue.
  • Upper respiratory tract infection.
  • Sinusitis.
  • Insomnia.
  • Back pain.
  • Depression.
  • Diarrhea.

Does Truvada make you gain weight?

Truvada did not affect the participants' lean body mass. Both those in the Truvada and placebo groups experienced weight gain, although those who received the study drug saw less weight gain through week 72 of follow-up. This difference was a result of less fat gain among those in the Truvada group.

What does elvitegravir do?

The combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (Genvoya, Stribilid) is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults and children who have not been treated with other HIV medications or to replace current medication therapy in certain people already taking HIV

How safe is Truvada?

There is always a risk when taking any medication. However, for most people, Truvada is safe and very effective in preventing and treating HIV. The potential risks associated with Truvada have been clear for many years, including the risks associated with taking Truvada as PrEP.

Is Emtriva a PrEP?

Emtriva, as a component of Truvada, was approved for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV among those at high risk in July 2012.

Can I use Truvada as Pep?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) as the drug of choice for HIV PEP therapy. PEP therapy is indicated for nonoccupational exposure (eg, patients who were sexually assaulted, injection drug users).