Compare Emtriva vs. Descovy
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Works with other medicines to treat HIV infection.
Emtriva (emtricitabine) is a first-line and commonly used drug that is taken in combination with other HIV medications to treat or prevent HIV.
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
- Emtriva (emtricitabine) is a first-line drug option used in combination with other HIV medications to treat HIV.
- Taken with or without food once a day.
- Emtriva (emtricitabine) is available in many combination tablets if you are looking to lower the number of pills you need to take daily for HIV treatment.
- Emtriva (emtricitabine) is available as a capsule as well as liquid form.
- 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
- Patients with kidney damage will need to be closely monitored by their doctors in order to provide an appropriate dose.
- Cannot be used by itself to treat or prevent HIV infection.
- 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
- HIV infection
- HIV prevention
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$536.33
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$1908.22
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Reviews
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Side effects
18possible side effects
- Diarrhea23%
- Nausea18%
- Nasal stuffiness/runniness (Rhinitis)18%
- Rash17%
- Physical weakness and/or lack of energy16%
- Increased cough14%
- Headache13%
- Vomiting9%
- Abdominal pain8%
- Insomnia7%
- Depressive disorders6%
- "Pins and needles" feeling (paresthesia)5%
- Dyspepsia4%
- Muscle pain4%
- Dizziness4%
- Nerve weakness/numbness/pain4%
- Joint pain3%
- Abnormal dreams2%
Risks and risk factors
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Worsening hepatitis B infection
- Hepatitis B Virus infection
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Similar medications
- HIV treatment
- Kidney Damage
- History of kidney damage
- 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