What is Truvada?
Truvada is a medication that is primarily used as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing the transmission of HIV. It is a combination of two antiretroviral drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate , and is manufactured by Gilead Sciences.
Truvada as PrEPTruvada was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 as the first medication for PrEP. It is intended for use by individuals who are at high risk of contracting HIV, such as those engaged in unprotected sex with HIV-positive partners or individuals who inject drugs. When taken daily, Truvada can greatly reduce the risk of HIV infection.
Effectiveness and SafetyNumerous clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of Truvada as PrEP. The iPrEx study, conducted among men who have sex with men, found that those who took Truvada regularly had a significantly reduced risk of contracting HIV compared to those who did not take the medication. Similar findings were observed in other studies involving heterosexual men and women.
When used as prescribed, Truvada is generally considered safe and well-tolerated. However, it is important to note that like any medication, Truvada can have potential side effects. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Less frequently, Truvada can cause more serious side effects, such as changes in kidney function or bone density. Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is essential to ensure the medication's safety and effectiveness.
Access and AvailabilityTruvada is a prescription medication, which means it can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription. Access to Truvada as PrEP may vary depending on the country and healthcare system. In some regions, Truvada may be covered by insurance or offered at reduced cost through assistance programs. Generic versions of Truvada have also become available, which may help improve affordability and access for some individuals.
Recent DevelopmentsSince the approval of Truvada as PrEP, new medications have entered the market, offering alternative options for HIV prevention. One such medication is Descovy, which contains a different form of tenofovir called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Descovy has been approved for PrEP in certain populations, such as cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women. Decisions on which medication to use for PrEP should be made in consultation with a
Frequently Asked Questions about truvada
Truvada is one of several medications that are currently used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus infection. Truvada is now being used to prevent HIV infection. When you take Truvada to prevent HIV infection, doctors refer to this use as “pre-exposure prophylaxis” or “PrEP”.
There are two pills approved for daily use as PrEP. They are combinations of two anti-HIV drugs in a single pill: Truvada® (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is for all people at risk for HIV through sex or injection drug use. Generic versions are also available.
Truvada and other TDF drugs are manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc., an American pharmaceutical company based in California.
Gilead invented Truvada and funded the clinical trials that led to its 2004 FDA approval for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents to treat HIV.
Effectiveness for HIV prevention (PrEP)
Truvada is the only treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PrEP. It's also the only PrEP treatment recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . It's been found effective in reducing the risk of infection with HIV.
Truvada can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. These include a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), liver problems, and new or worsening kidney problems, including kidney failure.
Conclusion. Truvada® has proven to be highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when taken consistently and correctly. Clinical trials, real-world evidence, and adherence studies all support its use as an effective pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Truvada can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. These include a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), liver problems, and new or worsening kidney problems, including kidney failure.
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, involves taking a Truvada pill once daily to stop HIV infection, and it is estimated to be nearly 100 percent effective. Despite these six failures since Truvada was first approved as an HIV-prevention medication back in 2012, Dr.
A month's supply of Truvada is nearly $2,000 without insurance (a generic version costs $30-$60 per month). Most private health insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid will cover the cost. By law, private insurers cannot charge copayments -- the amount you have to pay out of pocket for the drug.
Truvada contains two drugs in one pill: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Both drugs are classified as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These are antiviral drugs, which are used to treat infection from viruses. These specific antiviral drugs fight HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
While the majority of Truvada's side effects are short-term, the drug also has warnings for potentially serious long-term side effects, including kidney and liver problems and bone density loss. Experts recommend regular monitoring of kidney and liver function and bone density to avoid long-term side effects.
Truvada can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. These include a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), liver problems, and new or worsening kidney problems, including kidney failure.
If no doses are missed, both are up to 99% effective at preventing HIV from sex. One study comparing Truvada to Descovy showed equal efficacy. Taking Truvada daily is at least 74% effective at preventing HIV from injection drug use. Both medicines have very low rates of side effects overall.
Reducing the amount of HIV and increasing CD4 cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting opportunistic infections (OIs) that can happen when your immune system is weak. Read more about viral suppression. Truvada does not cure HIV infection or AIDS.
Truvada® has proven to be highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when taken consistently and correctly. Clinical trials, real-world evidence, and adherence studies all support its use as an effective pre-exposure prophylaxis.
