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

Key takeaways

Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and didanosine (Videx) are both antiretroviral (ARV) medications used to treat HIV when taken in combination with other HIV medications. 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 them. Truvada is a combination medication that is still available and is also used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), while Videx has been discontinued in the U.S. due to serious side effects and lack of demand. Truvada is taken once daily as a tablet, whereas Videx was also taken orally but is no longer available. Truvada is available as a generic, making it a more cost-effective option. Common side effects of Truvada include nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness, while Videx was known for more severe side effects, which contributed to its discontinuation. Additionally, Truvada requires regular monitoring of kidney and liver function, and it can interact with medications for hepatitis C, whereas Videx had restrictions on being taken with certain other HIV medications.

Truvada

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Didanosine

(Videx)

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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

Summary for Videx

Discontinued

Didanosine (Videx) 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.