Descovy VS Truvada
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New Resource from PULSE CLINIC: Which PrEP medication is best for me? Truvada vs Descovy Comparison
Pre-PrEP checklist: How can I get PrEP at PULSE Clinic?
- Do you already have the prescription?
- If you already have a prescription for PrEP, you can show us your prescription and buy the medication.
- If not, do you have health check-up results from the last 3 months?
- If you already have one, you can get a 12-month supply at PULSE.
- If you do not have recent health check-up results, you can get tested at PULSE and receive a 12-month supply of PrEP.
- You can also get fewer than 12 bottles and have the rest delivered to your door.
Descovy: Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (FTC/TAF)
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 medication that contains emtricitabine plus tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) instead of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). F/TAF can deliver higher concentrations of tenofovir into cells, reach protective levels more quickly, and maintain protective levels of the drug in cells longer than F/TDF. For these reasons, 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, F/TAF may 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 you take, including those sold over the counter.
Uses of Truvada and Descovy
Truvada and Descovy are both FDA-approved for the following purposes:
- Treating HIV.
- Preventing HIV infection in individuals at risk is a preventive approach known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
I have my prescription and I want to order now, TAKE ME THERE !
What is the Difference Between Truvada vs Descovy?
| List | Descovy | Truvada |
| FDA Approval | April 4, 2016 | August 2, 2004 |
| Approved as PrEP | October 3, 2019 | 2012 |
| Generic Name | emtricitabine 200mg tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) 25mg | emtricitabine 200mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) 300mg |
| Indications as PrEP | in at-risk adult and adolescent men and transgender women weighing at least 35 kg | en adultos y adolescentes en riesgo que pesen al menos 35 kg |
| Pill Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Good for | Older PrEP users People who have compromised kidney functions or who otherwise maybe worried about side effects. | Younger PrEP users PrEP users with good kidney functions |
| Kidney Problems | Descovy (F/TAF) contains TAF, a prodrug of tenofovir that concentrates at higher intracellular levels | Occur around 3% of old PrEP users |
| Recommend for daily dose PrEP? | Yes, Descovy and Descovy’s generics are good for daily doses. | Yes, Truvada and Truvada’s generics are good for daily doses. |
| Recommend for PrEP on Demand? | No, there has not been a large study of PrEP on demand using Descovy. | Yes, Truvada and Truvada’s generics are good for on-demand use. |
| Recommend for Anal Sex? | Yes | Yes |
| Recommend for Vaginal Sex? | NO | Yes |
| Cost in USA | 712-720USD | 30-250 USD/ 30 tabs/ bottle |
| Cost in Thailand | 150 USD/ 30 tabs/ bottle | 90 USD/ 30 tabs/ bottle |
| Cost of Generics | 100 USD/ 30 tabs/ bottle | 30 USD/ 30 tabs/ bottle |
| Buy Online with Prescription? | Yes, Buy PrEP online | Yes, Buy PrEP online |
Dosage, Forms, and Administration
Truvada and Descovy are both available as oral tablets, with Truvada tablets being larger in size than Descovy tablets. Each tablet of both medications contains two active ingredients.
The shared active ingredient in both Truvada and Descovy is emtricitabine. They also contain tenofovir in different chemical forms: Truvada includes tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, while Descovy contains tenofovir alafenamide.
Truvada is available in the following strengths:
- 100 mg emtricitabine / 150 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- 133 mg emtricitabine / 200 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- 167 mg emtricitabine / 250 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- 200 mg emtricitabine / 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Descovy comes in two strengths:
- 120 mg emtricitabine / 15 mg tenofovir alafenamide
- 200 mg emtricitabine / 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide
Both medications are typically taken once daily. The prescribed dosage for Truvada or Descovy depends on several factors, including:
- Your age
- Health conditions, such as kidney disease
- Your weight
If you have conditions like kidney or liver disease or other health concerns that might increase the risk of side effects, your doctor may adjust your dosage accordingly.
Note: For detailed information about dosage, refer to our articles specifically discussing Truvada and Descovy dosages.
Buy PrEP for HIV Protection at PULSE Today!
| Medication | Price |
 | Teno-Em 1300 THB
|
 | Tenof-Em 1100 THB
|
 | Descovy® 5450 THB
|
 | Generic Descovy® 2650 THB
|
 | Taficita 3000 THB  |
 | Tafero-Em |
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Important Warnings for Truvada and Descovy
Truvada and Descovy may not be suitable for everyone, particularly if you have specific medical conditions or health-related factors. These considerations are referred to as warnings. While the two medications share some common warnings, they also have unique ones. Key warnings are outlined below.
Before starting Truvada or Descovy, consult your doctor to determine whether these warnings are relevant to your situation.
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 choose what's best for your condition and your lifestyle. Contact our clinic now to discuss your health and what prevention strategy suits you best. We are available all year long.
PrEP is safe and it works very well.
REFERENCES:
- 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.
- 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.
- Califf RM and Slavitt S. Lowering cost and increasing access to drugs without jeopardizing innovation. JAMA. 2019;321(16):1571-1573.
- 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.
- Amrhein V, Greenland S, McShane B. Scientists rise up against statistical significance. Nature. 2019 Mar;567(7748):305-307
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