Pronunciation: Des-co-vee
Generic name: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide
Dosage form: oral tablet
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Apr 23, 2025.

What is Descovy?

Descovy is used to treat and prevent HIV infection in adults and adolescents. When used for HIV-1 treatment, it is taken with other antivirals. When used to prevent HIV-1 infection, it is called Descovy PrEP, and is the only treatment needed.

Descovy contains 2 antivirals, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, combined in 1 tablet and taken once a day.

FDA approvals and indications

To treat HIV-1 infection:

• In adults and children who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg), together with other HIV-1 medicines
• In children who weigh at least 31 pounds (14 kg) and less than 77 pounds (35 kg), together with certain other HIV-1 medicines (not some protease inhibitors).
  • Your healthcare provider will determine which other HIV-1 medicines may be used with Descovy.

For HIV-1 PrEP:

• To reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg). It is not known if Descovy is effective in reducing the risk of getting HIV-1 from certain types of sex.
  • Descovy for PrEP is not for use in people born female (assigned female at birth) who are at risk of getting HIV1 infection from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied.

Descovy gained FDA approval on April 4, 2016, for the treatment of HIV-1. Approval was extended on October 3, 2019, to include PrEP. 

How does Descovy work?

The two antivirals in Descovy, emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide, work by blocking the activity of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme produced by the human immunodeficiency virus that allows it to infect cells and replicate (make more viruses). Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide both belong to the drug class called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).

• When Descovy is used to treat HIV-1 infection, it reduces the amount of HIV in the blood and keeps it at a low level. Descovy for HIV treatment is always given in combination with at least one other HIV-1 medicine.
• Descovy for PrEP prevents the HIV-1 virus from multiplying and spreading from the site of infection if a person is exposed to the virus.

Critical Safety Information

Before Starting Descovy for PrEP

You must:

• Confirm you are HIV-negative through testing
• Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV)
• Inform your healthcare provider about any flu-like symptoms within the last month
• Discuss all existing medical conditions and medications.

For PrEP Users

To use Descovy safely for HIV prevention:

• Maintain regular HIV testing (at least every 3 months)
• Practice safer sex using latex or polyurethane condoms
• Get regular STI testing
• Never miss doses
• Know your partner's HIV status
• Report any potential HIV exposure immediately.

Side effects

The most common side effects of Descovy are:

• nausea (most common in HIV-1 treatment)
• diarrhea (most common in PrEP)
• headache, dizziness, feeling depressed or tired
• sleep problems (insomnia), and strange dreams
• stomach pain
• weight loss
• rash.

Serious side effects and warnings

Descovy may cause the following serious side effects:

• Worsening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
  • Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before and when you start treatment with Descovy
  • HBV may worsen or flare up if you stop taking Descovy
  • Regular monitoring is required, and for several months after stopping Descovy
  • Do not run out of Descovy and never stop your medication without a healthcare provider consultation.
• Immune System Changes
  • Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking medicines to treat HIV-1 infection.
  • Your immune system may become stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time.
  • Watch for signs of new infections.
  • Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
• Kidney Problems
  • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure, may develop after starting Descovy.
  • Regular blood and urine tests are needed.
  • This may require dose adjustments.
• Lactic Acidosis. Rarely, Descovy may cause too much lactic acid to build up in your blood. Seek immediate medical attention for:
  • Unusual muscle pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Severe fatigue
  • Stomach pain with nausea
  • Irregular heartbeat.
• Liver Problems. Rarely, Descovy may cause severe liver problems that can lead to death. Watch for:
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes
  • Dark urine
  • Light-colored stools
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stomach pain.

Do not take Descovy if you also take other medicines that contain emtricitabine, tenofovir, lamivudine, or adefovir. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Descovy: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Before taking this medicine

For people taking Descovy for PrEP:

Do not take Descovy if you already have an HIV-1 infection or do not know your HIV status.

• If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with Descovy to treat HIV-1. Descovy by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1.

Before taking

Before taking Descovy, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have any flu-like symptoms 
• have liver problems, including HBV infection
• have kidney problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

It is not known if Descovy can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during treatment with Descovy.

Pregnancy Registry: There is a pregnancy registry for people who take Descovy during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and that of your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.

Breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed if you take Descovy for the treatment of HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

One of the ingredients in Descovy (emtricitabine) passes into your breast milk.

How do I take Descovy?

Take Descovy exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

• Take one dose daily.
• Can be taken with or without food.
• For dialysis patients: Take after dialysis.
• Never skip doses or stop treatment without medical advice.
• Maintain an adequate supply. Do not run out of medicine because it may increase your risk of infection from HIV and other viruses.

Descovy (PrEP) alone will not protect you from infection with HIV. You must also use safer sex practices and get tested for HIV before starting prophylaxis and at least once every 3 months.

How long does Descovy take to work? 

When taking Descovy for PrEP, the time to reach maximum protection varies depending on your risk factors.

For Receptive Anal Sex

• Takes 7 days of daily use before Descovy protects against HIV-1
• Must take one pill every day
• Provides over 99% protection when used consistently

For Receptive Vaginal Sex

• Takes 21 days of daily use before Descovy protects against HIV-1
• Requires strict daily adherence
• Over 99% effective with daily use

For Injection Drug Use

• Takes 21 days to reach maximum protection
• Reduces HIV risk by at least 74%
• Must be taken every day 

Important Notes:

• Effectiveness depends on taking Descovy every day without missing doses
• Protection levels are based on consistent, daily use
• Starting PrEP requires a negative HIV test and ongoing monitoring
• Must be combined with other safer sex practices

Currently Unknown Factors:

The following is not known:

• Time to reach protection for insertive anal sex
• Time to reach protection for insertive vaginal sex.

Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific situation and risk factors.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular schedule. Do not use two doses at one time.

Skipping doses could make the virus resistant to medication or increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What other drugs will affect Descovy?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Emtricitabine and tenofovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• seizure medicine - carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital; or

• other antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with emtricitabine and tenofovir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.
Inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

The 200 mg/25 mg tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing indigo carmine aluminum lake, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

The 120 mg/15 mg tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and talc.

Available as

• Descovy 120 mg/15 mg (emtricitabine 120 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 15 mg)
• Descovy 200 mg/25 mg (emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg).

Storage

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep in their original container.

Who makes Descovy?

Descovy is manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Foster City, California. 

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Further information

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