Descovy vs. Truvada for HIV Treatment and HIV Prevention: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Descovy

(emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)

Truvada

Summary for Descovy

Prescription only

Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) is a prescription antiretroviral pill used to treat and prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It's FDA approved for use with other HIV medications to treat HIV in adults and children. It's also approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV in adults and teens. You take it once a day by mouth, with or without food. Some common side effects include nausea and diarrhea.

Indications for Descovy

HIV treatment, in combination with other HIV medications - adults and children
Prevention of HIV infection (PrEP) - adults and teens

Pros and Cons for Descovy

Pros

Pill taken once a day
Treats and prevents HIV
Fewer kidney and bone side effects than Truvada

Cons

Not approved for PrEP in people at risk from vaginal sex
Common side effects are diarrhea and nausea
Requires regular lab tests

Common Side Effects for Descovy

Diarrhea (5%)
Nausea (4%)

Note: Side effects were reported by people who took Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) alone for PrEP.

Warnings for Descovy

Worsening of hepatitis B infection
Take extra steps to prevent HIV when used for PrEP
Overactive immune system
Kidney problems
Liver problems and lactic acidosis

Summary for Truvada

Prescription only

Truvada, also known as TDF/FTC, is a combination medication that contains the antiretrovirals emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Truvada is used as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections in adults and children. It's also preferred for HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis or prevention). This medication works against HIV by stopping the virus from making copies of itself and spreading. Truvada tablets are taken by mouth once daily. Side effects when it's used for treating HIV include nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. And Truvada side effects when used for PrEP include headache and belly pain.

Indications for Truvada

Treatment of HIV infection
Prevention of HIV infection (PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis)

Pros and Cons for Truvada

Pros

Only taken once a day
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Is a complete regimen for HIV PrEP
99% effective for preventing HIV infection from sex when used as prescribed for PrEP

Cons

Requires regular blood work and lab tests to make sure your liver and kidneys are healthy
Not a complete treatment for HIV (must take one other medication with it)
Can worsen hepatitis B if you stop taking the medication all of a sudden
More likely to cause bone problems than similar medications

Common Side Effects for Truvada

HIV treatment Note: Side effects for HIV treatment were reported by people taking Truvada with efavirenz (Sustiva).

Higher cholesterol levels (22%)
Higher creatine kinase levels (9%)
Feeling tired (9%)
Depression (9%)
Nausea (9%)
Diarrhea (9%)
Dizziness (8%)
Upper respiratory infections (8%)
Sinus infection (congestion; 8%)
Rash (7%)
Headache (6%)

HIV PrEP (prevention)

Headache (7%)
Belly pain (4%)
Lower weight (3%)

Warnings for Truvada

Worsening of hepatitis B infection
PrEP only for people who test negative for HIV
Kidney problems
Overactive immune system
Bone problems
Liver problems and lactic acidosis
Interaction with other medications

Prices with our coupons for Descovy vs. Truvada

Descovy30 tablets / 200mg/25mg

$2,159.09$2,771.18

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Emtricitabine/Tenofovir30 tablets / 200mg/300mg

$28.29$2,099.99

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Descovy vs. Truvada

Descovy

Truvada

Summary for Descovy

Indications for Descovy

Pros and Cons for Descovy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Descovy

Warnings for Descovy

Summary for Truvada

Indications for Truvada

Pros and Cons for Truvada

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Truvada

Warnings for Truvada

Prices with our coupons for Descovy vs. Truvada

Compare other HIV Treatment and HIV Prevention drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Descovy

Truvada

Summary for Descovy

Indications for Descovy

Pros and Cons for Descovy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Descovy

Warnings for Descovy

Summary for Truvada

Indications for Truvada

Pros and Cons for Truvada

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Truvada

Warnings for Truvada