General Information
Manufacturer: Gilead
Medical Name: emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg
Purpose: Descovy is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV.
Possible Side Effects
| Side Effect | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 5% |
| Nausea | 4% |
| Headache | 2% |
| Fatigue (tiredness) | 2% |
| Abdominal pain or discomfort | 2% |
Serious but Less Common Side Effects
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Lactic Acidosis | A buildup of lactic acid in the blood, which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, and cold or blue hands and feet. |
| Severe Liver Problems | Can include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, and loss of appetite. |
| New or Worsening Kidney Problems | Your healthcare provider will monitor kidney function with blood and urine tests before and during treatment. |
| Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) | If you have HBV and stop taking Descovy, your hepatitis B may become worse. Do not stop taking Descovy without first talking to your healthcare provider. |
Preconditions and Warnings
| Precondition | Description |
|---|---|
| Individuals must be confirmed HIV-negative immediately before starting and throughout treatment with Descovy for PrEP. | Starting Descovy without a confirmed HIV-negative status, especially if experiencing symptoms of acute HIV infection, can lead to the development of drug-resistant HIV strains. |
| Descovy for PrEP is not indicated for individuals at risk of HIV from receptive vaginal sex (e.g., most cisgender women) due to a lack of study data in this population. | Other PrEP options are available for all genders and types of sexual risk. Additionally, Descovy is not for individuals weighing less than 35 kg. |
| Health conditions that preclude Descovy use include severe renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min or below 15 mL/min without chronic hemodialysis). | Kidney function should be assessed before and during treatment. While not a contraindication, individuals with both HIV-negative status and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) should be monitored if Descovy is stopped due to the risk of severe exacerbations of hepatitis B. Severe liver problems or lactic acidosis are rare but serious risks requiring immediate medical attention. |