DESCOVY
Combination product
Pronunciation: em-tri-SIT-a-been and ten-OF-oe-veer al-a-FEN-a-mide (des-KOE-vee)
Combination of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir alafenamide.
Each component keeps its own pharmacology page; the combination itself adds no new mechanism.
Components (2)
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIV-1 infection treatment (with other antiretrovirals) | Adults and pediatric patients ≥35 kg | 200 mg/25 mg tablet QD with or without food | 200/25 mg QD | 200/25 mg QD |
| HIV-1 infection treatment (with other antiretrovirals incl. darunavir+cobicistat) | Pediatric patients 25 to <35 kg | 200 mg/25 mg tablet QD | 200/25 mg QD | 200/25 mg QD |
| HIV-1 infection treatment (with other antiretrovirals incl. darunavir+cobicistat) | Pediatric patients 14 to <25 kg | 120 mg/15 mg tablet QD | 120/15 mg QD | 120/15 mg QD |
| HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), excluding those at risk from receptive vaginal sex | At-risk adults and adolescents ≥35 kg | 200 mg/25 mg tablet QD with or without food | 200/25 mg QD | 200/25 mg QD |
Renal No adjustment if CrCl ≥30 mL/min or ESRD on chronic hemodialysis (dose after dialysis); NOT recommended if CrCl 15 to <30 mL/min or ESRD not on hemodialysis
Hepatic No adjustment for mild/moderate (Child-Pugh A/B); not studied in severe (Child-Pugh C)
Instructions
- Take one tablet orally once daily with or without food
- Test for hepatitis B before initiating
- For PrEP, confirm HIV-1 negative immediately before starting and screen at least every 3 months and upon any STI diagnosis
Available strengths
- tab 120/15, 200/25 mg
Contraindications
- For HIV-1 PrEP: individuals with unknown or positive HIV-1 status
Cautions
- Comprehensive management to reduce STI/HIV-1 risk and HIV-1 resistance when used for PrEP
- Immune reconstitution syndrome (during HIV-1 treatment)
- New onset or worsening renal impairment (Fanconi syndrome, PRT)
- Lactic acidosis/severe hepatomegaly with steatosis
Adverse reactions
- Nausea (HIV-1 treatment)
- Diarrhea (PrEP)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
Pregnancy APR data show no significant difference in major birth defect risk vs background for FTC or TAF
Lactation For HIV-1 treatment, breastfeeding not recommended (HIV transmission risk); FTC/TAF/tenofovir present in human milk
Cost
| Strength | #/mo | generic $/mo | brand $/mo | CostPlus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120/15 mg | tab | 30 qd | — | $2,245.62 | not offered |
| 200/25 mg | tab | 30 qd | — | $2,248.24 | not offered |
Available combined with: bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir / alafenamide · elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir / alafenamide
Part D rank #249.