Truvada and Descovy are both two-drug, antiviral combinations containing emtricitabine and tenofovir for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection. The difference between Truvada and Descovy is in the form of tenofovir contained in each product. Descovy contains a newer form of tenofovir called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and Truvada contains the original form of tenofovir as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).
Tenofovir alafenamide is a prodrug of tenofovir that has been designed to enter HIV-infected cells more efficiently than TDF, and it can therefore be given at a much lower dose (less than one-tenth) than TDF. TAF appears to be associated with less kidney toxicity and decreases in bone density compared to TDF.
| Truvada | Descovy | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approval | August 2, 2004 | April 4, 2016 |
| Generic Name | emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) | emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) |
| How Supplied |
Tablets
|
Tablets
|
| Indications |
HIV-1 Infection
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
|
HIV-1 Infection
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
|
Truvada and Descovy are both manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc.