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.
