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What Is Descovy?

Descovy is a prescription fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, two nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It is used with other antiretroviral medicines for HIV-1 treatment and is also used for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis in selected adults and adolescents without HIV.

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What Is Descovy?

Descovy is a prescription fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, two nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It is used with other antiretroviral medicines for HIV-1 treatment and is also used for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis in selected adults and adolescents without HIV.

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How Does Descovy Block HIV Replication?

Emtricitabine is converted inside cells to emtricitabine triphosphate, while tenofovir alafenamide is converted to tenofovir diphosphate. These active metabolites compete with natural nucleotides used by HIV reverse transcriptase and terminate viral DNA chains, which blocks HIV replication.

Who Is Treated With Descovy?

Descovy is used with other antiretroviral medicines for HIV-1 treatment in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 14 kg under weight-specific criteria. For PrEP, it is used in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg, excluding individuals whose HIV risk comes from receptive vaginal sex.

How Are Descovy Tablets Dosed?

Adults and patients weighing at least 35 kg commonly take one 200 mg with 25 mg tablet once daily with or without food for HIV treatment. Patients weighing 14 kg to under 25 kg use the 120 mg with 15 mg tablet once daily. PrEP uses 200 mg with 25 mg once daily in eligible patients.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Descovy?

Descovy carries boxed warnings for severe hepatitis B exacerbation after discontinuation and HIV drug resistance when PrEP is started during undiagnosed HIV infection. Other serious concerns include kidney impairment, Fanconi syndrome, immune reconstitution syndrome, lactic acidosis, and severe liver enlargement with steatosis. HIV testing is required before and during PrEP.

Frequently Asked Questions About Descovy

What medicines are in Descovy?

Descovy contains emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.

Is Descovy used for HIV treatment?

Yes. Descovy is combined with other antiretroviral medicines for HIV-1 treatment under age and weight criteria.

Is Descovy used for PrEP?

Yes. It is used for PrEP in eligible adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg.

Does Descovy PrEP cover risk from receptive vaginal sex?

No. Current U.S. labeling excludes individuals whose HIV risk comes from receptive vaginal sex.

References

DailyMed - DESCOVY (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=06f66e98-e6ee-4538-9506-6c1282cc14c1. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

DESCOVY (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) Prescribing Information. Gilead Sciences. https://www.gilead.com/-/media/gileadcorpredesign/project/gilead/gileadcorporate/medicines/pdf/descovy_pi.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a625077.html. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

FDA-Approved HIV Medicines. HIVinfo. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/fda-approved-hiv-medicines. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). HIVinfo. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.