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COMBINATION DRUG
Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used with other HIV medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kilograms and children weighing at least 14 kilograms to less than 35 kilograms.
These insights are based on 344 comments about Descovy from myHIVteam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Descovy is a type of antiretroviral medicine. It contains two medicines called emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. These medicines block reverse transcriptase, an enzyme HIV-1 needs to make copies of itself.
Descovy is used with other HIV medicines to treat HIV-1. It may be used in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 35 kilograms. It may also be used in children who weigh at least 14 kilograms to less than 35 kilograms. A healthcare provider will decide which other HIV medicines should be used with Descovy.
Descovy is also used as pre-exposure prophylaxis, called PrEP. It helps reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 35 kilograms and are at risk of getting HIV-1. It is not indicated for people who may get HIV-1 by receiving vaginal sex.
A person must test negative for HIV-1 right before starting Descovy for PrEP. HIV-1 testing must be repeated at least every three months while taking it. If a person tests positive for HIV-1, Descovy alone is not a complete HIV-1 treatment.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Descovy is a tablet taken by mouth once daily. It may be taken with or without food.
For adults and children who weigh at least 35 kilograms, the recommended dose is one tablet containing 200 milligrams of emtricitabine and 25 milligrams of tenofovir alafenamide once daily.
For children who weigh 25 kilograms to less than 35 kilograms, the recommended dose is one tablet containing 200 milligrams of emtricitabine and 25 milligrams of tenofovir alafenamide once daily.
For children who weigh 14 kilograms to less than 25 kilograms, the recommended dose is one tablet containing 120 milligrams of emtricitabine and 15 milligrams of tenofovir alafenamide once daily.
Adults receiving chronic hemodialysis should take the daily dose after dialysis on dialysis days.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 344 comments about Descovy from myHIVteam members.
Members who use Descovy often say that consistency, close follow-up, and honest conversations with their doctor matter most. Many also mention watching for side effects, keeping up with lab work, and asking for help early if access or refill problems come up.
Do not miss doses, and keep a steady routine.
“I’ve never missed a single dose of the meds and have remained consistently undetectable. CONSISTENCY is important!!!!!!!!”
Talk to your doctor about side effects that do not go away.
“Talk to your doctor, if you’re having side effects. I was on Truvada. My doctor switched me to Descovy, which I believe is now easier on my kidneys.”
Get blood work when your doctor orders it.
“I had my appointment today with my doctor. He is very happy that I am still undetectable and my CD4 is well over 1,000. I have no issues with my current treatment.”
Ask your doctor about weight or cholesterol changes.
“I talked to him about the weight gain and higher cholesterol since starting the new HIV medicines. He said he did not want to switch my treatment because of concerns about resistance.”
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In clinical studies of Descovy, the most common side effects were:
Descovy can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Gilead Sciences, Inc, the manufacturer of Descovy, offers the Gilead Advancing Access Co-pay Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per month. If you have government insurance or no insurance, the program also provides information about other financial assistance options that may be available.
The Gilead Advancing Access Program also offers help understanding insurance coverage, investigating benefits, and accessing available financial assistance options.
To learn more, visit the Gilead Advancing Access Program website or call 800-226-2056.
Before starting Descovy, your healthcare provider will test you for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Your healthcare provider will also check your kidney function before or when you start Descovy and during treatment. Tests include serum creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, urine glucose, and urine protein. If you have chronic kidney disease, your serum phosphorus should also be checked.
If you take Descovy for PrEP, you must test negative for HIV-1 immediately before starting it. You must be tested again at least every three months while taking Descovy and when you are diagnosed with another sexually transmitted infection.
Some HIV-1 tests may miss a very recent infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you may have been exposed to HIV-1 in the past month or have had flu-like symptoms. These may include fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, or swollen lymph nodes.
While taking Descovy for PrEP:
Do not take Descovy for PrEP if you have HIV-1 or do not know your HIV-1 status. Descovy alone is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you test positive, you will need a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen.
Tell your doctor if you take carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin. Your doctor may consider another anti-seizure medication. Descovy is not recommended with rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine.
Before receiving Descovy, tell your healthcare provider if you:
Do not stop taking Descovy or let your supply run out without speaking with your healthcare provider. During HIV-1 treatment, missed doses may allow the virus to increase and become harder to treat. During PrEP, missed doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Descovy, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
A pregnancy exposure registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in people exposed to Descovy. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or calling 800-258-4263.
Talk with your healthcare provider about breastfeeding. Possible risks include passing HIV-1 to a baby without HIV-1, causing drug resistance in a baby with HIV-1, and causing side effects in a breastfed baby.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Descovy for HIV?
In clinical studies of HIV-1 treatment regimens containing the medicines in Descovy:
Descovy must be used with other HIV medicines as part of a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen.
How often is Descovy taken for HIV?
For adults and pediatric people weighing at least 35 kilograms, the recommended dose is one Descovy tablet once daily, with or without food.
Descovy is used with other HIV-1 medicines. It is not a complete HIV-1 treatment by itself.
For adults receiving chronic hemodialysis, Descovy should be taken after hemodialysis on dialysis days.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Descovy for HIV?
Before starting Descovy, people should be tested for HBV.
Before or when treatment starts, and during treatment, kidney tests should include serum creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, urine glucose, and urine protein.
People with chronic kidney disease should also have their serum phosphorus checked.
If a person has hepatitis B and stops taking Descovy, they should have close medical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months.
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