Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) is a brand-name prescription drug that’s used to help prevent HIV. It’s not available as a generic drug.
Descovy comes as an oral tablet. The active ingredients in Descovy are emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. Descovy belongs to a group of drugs called antiretrovirals.
To learn more about Descovy, see this in-depth Descovy article.
With preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), you take a medication every day to help lower the chance of contracting HIV through sex, before coming in contact with the virus.
Who is Descovy prescribed for?
Descovy for PrEP is used to reduce the chance of getting an HIV-1 infection. It’s prescribed for adults and adolescents (children ages 12 years and older) who have tested negative for HIV and who weigh at least 35 kilograms (kg), which is about 77 pounds.
The drug is prescribed for certain people considered to have a higher chance of contracting HIV through sex. It’s not known whether Descovy is effective at reducing the chance of getting an HIV-1 infection from certain types of sex.
For example, Descovy for PrEP is not for use by females with a higher chance of getting HIV-1 infection from vaginal sex because its effectiveness hasn’t been studied for this group. (Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article uses the terms “female” and “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.)
If you have questions about the chance of getting an HIV-1 infection from sex and whether Descovy is right for you, talk with your doctor.
Note: Descovy is not effective at preventing other sexually transmitted infections.
Studies have shown that Descovy is effective at reducing the chance of contracting HIV through sex for certain adults and adolescents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends PrEP medications to help prevent HIV. The organization reports that taking PrEP medications according to your doctor’s instructions can reduce the chance of contracting HIV through sex by about
To find out more about how effective Descovy for PrEP might be for you, talk with your doctor.
Taking Descovy for HIV PrEP may cause side effects in some people. These side effects can be mild or serious.
Note: Descovy is also approved for another use in treating HIV. Side effects from Descovy may differ depending on its use.
This section describes how you typically take Descovy for HIV PrEP. Your doctor will explain how to take Descovy. Be sure to always follow your doctor’s instructions.
What is the typical dosage for Descovy for PrEP?
For PrEP, you may take one Descovy tablet once per day.
Note: Descovy has other uses in addition to PrEP. The dosage may be different for these other uses. To learn more, talk with your doctor.
How do you take Descovy?
Swallow one Descovy tablet by mouth once per day. You can take it with or without food.
How often should I take Descovy?
You may take Descovy once per day. You can take Descovy at any time of day, but it’s best to take your dose around the same time each day. This may help you get into a routine so that you don’t miss doses. Missing doses of Descovy can increase the chance of contracting HIV through sex.
It may help to set an alarm so that you don’t forget to take Descovy. Or consider using a medication reminder app.
HIV is a condition caused by a virus that attacks the immune system. One of the ways this virus can enter the body is through sex.
What Descovy does
Descovy can reduce the chance of contracting HIV through sex. It contains two antiretroviral drugs in one tablet: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. They work by blocking the virus from entering body cells. They also block the virus from making copies of itself.
Before you take Descovy, there’s some important information to keep in mind. The drug may not be a safe option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned below.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Chance of worsening of hepatitis B: If someone has hepatitis B, it’s possible that Descovy could severely worsen the condition. This has also happened in some people after they’ve stopped taking Descovy. Your doctor will monitor your health, including regular blood tests, during and after your Descovy treatment. In some cases, you may need to take medication to treat hepatitis B if you stop taking Descovy.
Chance of resistance to Descovy treatment: If someone has HIV, taking Descovy for HIV prevention could lead to the virus becoming resistant to Descovy’s active ingredients. (These are emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.) If this occurs, Descovy will no longer be effective at treating HIV. But to avoid developing resistance to Descovy, your doctor will test you for HIV. Do not take Descovy if you test positive for HIV or if the HIV status isn’t known. You’ll likely take HIV tests right before starting Descovy and then every 3 months while you’re taking the drug.
What other warnings should I know about?
In addition to boxed warnings, Descovy has other warnings. Talk with your doctor before taking Descovy if you:
- live with HIV or the HIV status isn’t known
- have a history of kidney or liver problems
- take medications or supplements that may interact with Descovy
- have an active infection or have had infections
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have had an allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients
The price of Descovy depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance plan, the pharmacy you use, and your location.
Descovy is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s not available in a generic version. Brand-name drugs usually cost more than generics.
To save money on your Descovy prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.