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What is the difference between HIV treatments Odefsey and Complera?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on April 30, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Odefsey and Complera are both three-drug antiviral combinations containing emtricitabine, rilpivirine and tenofovir for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. The difference between Odefsey and Complera is in the form of tenofovir contained in each product.

Odefsey contains a newer form of tenofovir called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and Complera contains the original form of tenofovir as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Tenofovir alafenamide is a prodrug of tenofovir and is inactive when it is first taken. After it enters the body, it is changed to its active form in the HIV-infected cell much more efficiently than TDF, which results in much lower levels of drug in the blood, but higher levels within the cells where HIV-1 replicates. Therefore, TAF can be given at roughly one-tenth the dose of TDF. Due to smaller doses and lower levels of tenofovir in the blood, kidney toxicity and decreased bone mineral density may be less of a concern with TAF, as noted by laboratory values in studies.

Odefsey Complera
FDA Approved March 1, 2016 August 10, 2011
How Supplied Each tablet contains:
  • emtricitabine 200 mg
  • rilpivirine 25 mg
  • tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg
Each tablet contains:
  • emtricitabine 200 mg
  • rilpivirine 25 mg
  • tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg
Indication HIV-1 Infection
  • in patients weighing at least 35kg
HIV-1 Infection
  • in patients weighing at least 35 kg

Odefsey and Complera are both manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc.

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