Descovy
Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV test negative, HIV Infections + 12 more
Treatment
2 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Descovy
Treatment for
Antiretroviral Therapy
What is Descovy
Emtricitabine
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Emtricitabine is an antiviral medicine used to treat HIV infection in adults. It is also combined with tenofovir alafenamide for the prevention of HIV-1 infection in adolescents and adults at high risk. The drug works by blocking HIV reverse transcriptase, which stops HIV from turning its RNA into DNA. Approved by the FDA in 2003, Emtricitabine is a type of drug called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI).
Emtriva
is the brand name
Descovy Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Emtriva
Emtricitabine
2003
131
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Emtricitabine, also called Emtriva, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses including HIV and adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 17 kg .
HIV
Helps manage Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection
adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 17 kg
Effectiveness
How Descovy Affects Patients
Emtricitabine stops the virus that causes HIV from making more copies of itself. It is taken once per day, making it a long-lasting drug. Those taking it should be aware of the risks of lactic acidosis and liver problems.
How Descovy works in the body
Emtricitabine is a special compound that stops the HIV virus from replicating itself. This is accomplished by blocking the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme from forming new DNA strands. Without new strands, the virus cannot make copies of itself and its spread is stopped. This lowers the amount of virus in the body and helps reduce symptoms.
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed dose of Descovy is contingent upon the diagnosed situation, including HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV Transmission. The quantity of dosage fluctuates as per the technique of delivery detailed in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Antiretroviral Therapy
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
HIV test negative
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
HIV Infections
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
HIV
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
HIV
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
HIV Transmission
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
Anti-Retroviral Agents
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
HIV
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 17 kg
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
not requiring CYP3A inhibitors
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
treatment failure
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
Obesity
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
Obesity
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
Obesity
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
Sexual Behavior
200.0 mg, , 100.0 mg, 133.0 mg, 167.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 120.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Solution - Oral, Solution
Warnings
Descovy Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
HIV
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Emtricitabine may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Descovy.
Common Descovy Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The excretion of Abemaciclib can be decreased when combined with Emtricitabine.
Procainamide
Major
The excretion of Procainamide can be decreased when combined with Emtricitabine.
Topotecan
Major
The excretion of Topotecan can be decreased when combined with Emtricitabine.
Cefradine
Minor
The excretion of Cefradine can be decreased when combined with Emtricitabine.
Estrone sulfate
Minor
The excretion of Estrone sulfate can be decreased when combined with Emtricitabine.
Descovy Toxicity & Overdose Risk
The toxic dose of emtricitabine is not known. If someone takes too much emtricitabine, they may experience liver damage and build up of lactic acid. Treatment for overdose includes supportive care and dialysis.
Descovy Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Descovy?
172 active clinical trials are currently assessing the potential of Descovy to treat HIV, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in both adults and children weighing a minimum of 17 kg.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
HIV
149 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Sexual Behavior
10 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4
HIV Infections
0 Actively Recruiting
Anti-Retroviral Agents
0 Actively Recruiting
treatment failure
0 Actively Recruiting
adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 17 kg
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV Transmission
0 Actively Recruiting
Obesity
0 Actively Recruiting
Antiretroviral Therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV
0 Actively Recruiting
Obesity
0 Actively Recruiting
not requiring CYP3A inhibitors
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV test negative
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV
40 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Early Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 4
Obesity
0 Actively Recruiting
Descovy Reviews: What are patients saying about Descovy?
5
Patient Review
12/8/2017
Descovy for HIV
5
Patient Review
9/22/2016
Descovy for HIV
5
Patient Review
4/24/2017
Descovy for HIV
4.3
Patient Review
10/29/2019
Descovy for HIV
3.7
Patient Review
8/6/2021
Descovy for HIV Infection Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
3
Patient Review
6/3/2021
Descovy for HIV
Patient Q&A Section about descovy
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is Descovy medication for?
"Descovy was approved by the FDA in 2016 to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients in combination with other antiretoviral drugs."
Answered by AI
What is the difference between Truvada and Descovy?
"Descovy contains a form of tenofovir called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) while Truvada contains the original form of tenofovir as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)."
Answered by AI
What type of drug is Descovy?
"Descovy is a medication used to treat HIV. It combines two antiretroviral drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, in one pill that is taken once a day along with another antiretroviral drug. Descovy comes in two different forms."
Answered by AI
Who needs to take Descovy?
"The medication Descovy is approved by doctors to be used as a preventative measure against HIV infection for adults and adolescents* who weigh at least 35 kilograms (kg), or about 77 pounds (lb). This medication is to be used by people who are at risk for contracting HIV, but do not already have the virus. Before starting to take Descovy for this purpose, you will need to get tested for HIV by a doctor."
Answered by AI