After years of worrying about kidney problems and bone health issues, now we have the new PrEP that is safer for both kidneys and bone health. 

Descovy is the new PrEP medicaitons, that contains emtricitabine plus tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) instead of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).  F/TAF is able to deliver higher concentrations of tenofovir into cells, reaches protective levels more quickly, and maintains protective levels of drug in cells longer than F/TDF. For these reasons, it is possible that F/TAF may be more effective than F/TDF for people who miss doses. In the DISCOVER study, F/TAF was found to be "non-inferior" to F/TDF for PrEP. There were more HIV infections among people taking F/TDF (11 infections) than among people taking F/TAF (6 infections). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Although there is some debate about whether F/TAF truly is “more effective” than F/TDF for PrEP, it is possible that F/TAF will provide better protection for people who miss PrEP doses and struggle with taking pills

What is better about combining with TAF is that it does not cause the same level of kidney problems or lower bone density that TDF does. Both Descovy and Truvada are recommended as first-line therapies in the HHS HIV treatment guidelines. Both are approved and recommended for hepatitis B. Descovy has not been approved for PrEP, however. It is important not to combine with other antivirals not prescribed by a doctor. Many new STRs already contain TAF. Drug interactions may occur, so tell your doctor about all the medications your take, including those sold over the counter.

If you are looking for the generic new PrEP, contact Pulse Clinic: info.silom@pulse-clinic.com.
Seven years after Truvada (F/TDF) was approved for HIV prevention as PrEP, we now have another PrEP medication option. On October 3, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Descovy for people who are HIV-negative and at-risk for sexually acquired HIV through anal sex.

Take home message: It is clear PrEP alternatives are evolving: In the next several years, patients may expect an array of additional options that include generic equivalents, injectables, implants and other options. You are free to chose what's best for your condition and your lifestyle. Contact our clinic now to discuss about your health and what prevention strategy suit you best. We are available all year long.

 PrEP is safe and it works very well. 

REFERENCES:

1. Hare B, Coll J, Ruane P, et al. The phase III Discover study: daily F/TAF or F/TDF for HIV preexposure prophylaxis. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, 4-11 March 2019, Seattle, Washington. Abstract 104.
2. Humphries B, Xie F. Canada’s amendment to patented drug price regulation: A prescription for global drug cost control? JAMA. 2019;321(16):1565-1566.
3. Califf RM and Slavitt S. Lowering cost and increasing access to drugs without jeopardizing innovation. JAMA. 2019;321(16):1571-1573.
4. Hall AM, Hendry BM, Nitsch D, et al. Tenofovir-associated kidney toxicity in HIV-infected patients: a review of the evidence. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2011 May;57(5):773-80.
5. Amrhein V, Greenland S, McShane B. Scientists rise up against statistical significance. Nature. 2019 Mar;567(7748):305-307