Compare Descovy vs. Complera
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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.
Treats HIV infection
Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) is a convenient 3-in-1 medication used to treat HIV infections.
Upsides
- 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).
- Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) combines three medications into one tablet, so it's easy to take.
- Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) might be an option for HIV treatment if other HIV drug combinations haven't worked for you.
- There are drug assistance programs available either through the government (AIDS Drug Assistance Program aka. ADAP) or through the drug manufacturer which can help with drug costs and co-pays.
Downsides
- 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.
- Must be taken with a light meal which includes fat.
- Cannot be taken with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like Prilosec or Prevacid. If you need to take an acid reducer, try an antacid like calcium carbonate either 2 hours before or 4 hours after Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir). Drugs like Pepcid or Zantac (H2RAs) may also be an option, but these should be taken 12 hours before or 4 hours after Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir).
- Not recommended for patients who have a significantly high level of viral cells or have a very low level of immune cells.
- Not recommended for patients with kidney damage.
- Can weaken your bones.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$1825.63
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$2915.42
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Side effects
Risks and risk factors
- 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
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Cannot be used to treat Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis B Virus infection
- Mood and behavior changes
- History of mental health problems
- Decreased bone mineral density
- History of bone fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Kidney damage
- History of kidney damage
- Concurrent use of drugs known to harm kidneys
- Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions
- Prior severe allergic reaction to Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) or any of its individual drug components.