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Compare Emtriva vs. Zerit

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Emtricitabine (Emtriva) and stavudine (Zerit) are both antiretroviral (ARV) medications used to treat HIV. They belong to the same subclass called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which help prevent the virus from making copies of itself. However, there are several differences between the two. Emtricitabine is still widely used and available in both capsule and oral solution forms, while stavudine has been discontinued in the U.S. due to its serious side effects and lack of demand. Emtricitabine is taken once a day and is known for having fewer side effects, such as nausea and fatigue, compared to stavudine, which had more severe side effects that limited its use. Additionally, emtricitabine is often used in combination with other HIV medications and is available in many combination tablets. Emtricitabine is also available for use in children and during pregnancy.

  • Emtricitabine (Emtriva)
    Stavudine
  • Emtricitabine (Emtriva)
    Stavudine

  • Summary of Emtriva vs. Zerit

    Summary for HIV ARV
    Prescription only

    Emtricitabine (Emtriva) is a first choice HIV antiretroviral (ARV) used in combination with other HIV ARVs for the treatment and prevention of HIV. It is one of the most common HIV ARVs used around the world.

    Summary for HIV ARV

    Stavudine was one of the first HIV antiretroviral (ARV) medications approved by the FDA. It has a lot of serious side effects that have limited its use in recent years and is no longer available in the U.S.

  • Indications of Emtriva vs. Zerit

    Indications for
    •HIV treatment
    Indications for

  • Pros and Cons of Emtriva vs. Zerit

    Pros and Const for HIV ARV
    Pros
    •Very effective against HIV, with few side effects
    •Taken only once a day with or without food
    •Available in many combination tablets with other HIV ARVs
    •Available as a capsule and oral solution
    •Can be used in pregnancy and in children right after they are born
    Cons
    •Dose must be adjusted if you have kidney problems
    •Must be used in combination with other HIV ARVs
    •The oral solution is absorbed less than the capsule, so the dose is higher
    •Some people with hepatitis B virus (HBV) have worsening of the liver after stopping emtricitabine (Emtriva)
    •Requires regular labs to make sure the medication is working against HIV and to check your kidney and liver
    Pros and Const for HIV ARV
    Pros
    Cons

  • Common Side Effects of Emtriva vs. Zerit

    Common Side Effects for
    •Changes in labs (30%)
    •Nausea (9%)
    •Fatigue (9%)
    •Diarrhea (9%)
    •Dizziness (8%)
    •Flu/cold (8%)
    •Runny nose (8%)
    •Rash (7%)
    Common Side Effects for

  • Warnings of Emtriva vs. Zerit

    Common Side Effects for
    •WORSENING OF HEPATITIS B
    •IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION SYNDROME
    •LIVER PROBLEMS
    Common Side Effects for

  • Prices with our coupons for Emtriva vs. Zerit

    Learn more about Emtricitabine
    Learn more about Stavudine

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