Compare Combivir vs. Descovy
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats HIV infection
While Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) isn't one of the first choices for treating HIV, it can still be an option if other HIV medications aren't working well for you.
Works with other medicines to treat HIV.
Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) is a first choice combination tablet that is used with other medications to treat HIV and is safe for your kidneys and bones.
Upsides
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can be taken with or without food.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can be taken by children and adolescents weighing 30kg (66lbs) or more.
- Available in generic.
- Compared to Truvada (a similar drug formulation), Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) is safe for your kidneys and bones.
- Take only once daily, with or without food.
- Children 12 years or older can take Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide).
Downsides
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) needs to be taken twice daily.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) may cause serious blood, muscle, and liver problems.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) is not recommended if you have kidney damage.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can cause a lot of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, and malaise.
- Might worsen hepatitis B infections if you suddenly stop taking Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide).
- Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) is only approved to treat HIV, not to stop you from getting it.
- Since Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) is not a generic, it may be expensive.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$54.23
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$1908.22
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Side effects
20possible side effects
- Headache35%
- Nausea33%
- Malaise and fatigue27%
- Nose-related problems20%
- Diarrhea18%
- Cough18%
- Nausea and vomiting13%
- Nerve problems12%
- Bone pain12%
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders11%
- Fever or chills10%
- Loss or decrease in appetite10%
- Dizziness10%
- Abdominal pain9%
- Depression9%
- Skin rashes9%
- Muscle pain8%
- Abdominal cramps6%
- Indigestion5%
- Joint pain5%
Risks and risk factors
- Blood and bone marrow problems
- Advanced HIV
- Anemia
- Neutropenia
- Muscle damage
- Taking Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) for a long time
- Worsening of hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B virus
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- History of pancreatitis
- Sudden worsening of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis B virus
- Lactic acidosis and enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Kidney damage
- History of kidney damage
- Using other drugs known to harm kidneys
- Weakened bones
- History of bone fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV medication