Truvada
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Reviewed on Dec 30, 2025. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935) Next review due on November 25, 2028.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on Dec 30, 2025.

Product info

  • Truvada helps prevent HIV infection in high-risk individuals.

  • One tablet should be taken daily for best protection.
  • It can significantly reduce the risk of getting HIV

Truvada Emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil

What is Truvada?

Truvada is a PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication that helps prevent HIV. You can take it to reduce the chance of getting HIV if you’re at risk of being exposed to it.

Truvada is recommended for people with an increased risk of getting HIV, like those who have partners with HIV, have regular unprotected sex or have sex with partners with an unknown HIV status.

There’s also a type called ‘Generic PrEP’, which is the generic version of the medicine, but contains the same active ingredients as the branded (called Truvada).

What does Truvada treat?

HIV is a condition which can be transmitted from person to person via bodily fluids such as blood, semen or anal and vaginal fluid. If you have unprotected sex or share a needle with someone who has HIV, you could be at risk of transmission.

There is still no cure for HIV, but there are safe, effective PrEP medications like Truvada to help if you are at risk of being exposed to the virus.

HIV uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to multiply itself. Truvada is taken to suppress this, meaning the virus finds it more difficult to replicate.

It can only be taken by you if you are HIV negative. If you are HIV positive, there are different treatment pathways to explore.

How does Truvada work?

Truvada contains two main active ingredients: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.[1] They make it tricky for the virus to replicate in the body. Truvada works in a similar way to drugs used to treat HIV-positive patients.

It’s recommended for people who are currently HIV negative and want protection against future exposure. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV and haven’t been using PrEP, you’ll need to seek emergency care for PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).

It’s important to have Truvada blood tests at a GUM clinic before you take the medication to ensure you’re HIV negative. You’ll also need a test periodically whilst you’re taking it, to make sure that the treatment is working for you.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Gilead (2024). Truvada film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) | 3890. Medicines.org.uk.
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on November 25, 2025. Next review due on November 25, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Truvada Emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil

How to take Truvada

Always take Truvada as directed by your prescriber. Take one tablet at the same time every day. Taking it with food can help reduce nausea. Different dosages might be prescribed depending on whether you’re an adolescent or an adult.

How effective is Truvada?

When taken daily, PrEP is thought to be up to 99% effective effective at preventing HIV.[1]

What to do with your missed Truvada doses

Don’t panic if you miss a dose or forget to take it at the right time.

If it’s within twelve hours of your usual time, take the tablet with food, when you remember. If it’s longer than twelve hours, skip the dose and carry on as normal the next day.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. NHS (2023). Common questions about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). nhs.uk.
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on November 25, 2025. Next review due on November 25, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Truvada Emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil

Truvada isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

Truvada Emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil

FAQ: Truvada

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Can I switch between Truvada and Descovy?

Answer:
Truvada is the original PrEP medication. Descovy is a newer version that might cause fewer side effects for some people, although it’s not approved for receptive vaginal sex. If you’re interested in switching from Truvada to Descovy, chat to your clinician to see which is best for you and your health needs.

Generic Prep vs. Truvada

Answer:
Generic PrEP and Truvada contain the same active ingredients (emtricitabine, tenofovir) and are essentially the same. They work in the same way in the body, and they’re as effective as each other. The only real difference is that Truvada is the branded treatment, and generic PrEP is the generic option. So the packaging and the tablets themselves may look different, and generic PrEP is cheaper because it isn’t branded. But otherwise, they work in almost the same way.

Can Truvada be taken with other antivirals?

Answer:
Yes, Truvada is specifically designed to be taken with other antivirals to treat HIV, but it shouldn’t be taken with certain other medications, particularly other cytidine analogues (like lamivudine or zalcitabine) or drugs that are known to cause kidney problems (like cidofovir or ganciclovir).

Talk to your clinician before combining Truvada with another antiviral, as they’ll need to monitor for interactions and side effects like kidney damage, and they might need to adjust doses or choose different treatment options.

What Truvada dose is right for me?

Answer:
Finding the right Truvada dosage for PrEP will depend on a few different things. 

Your PrEP dose can be different depending on your age, and your weight and any pre-existing health conditions you have. 

You can discuss your dosage of Truvada for PrEP with your clinician. 

Does Truvada prevent HIV?

Answer:
Yes, but it doesn’t work like a vaccine. You’ll need to take it every day as it’s not 100% effective when missed.

Whilst you take Truvada for PrEP, you should continue to take all necessary precautions, such as using condoms and getting tested regularly.

What ingredients are in Truvada?

Answer:
Truvada’s main active ingredients are emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. Each tablet contains 200mg of emtricitabine and 245mg of tenofovir disoproxil.

You can choose from branded Truvada and generic PrEP. Both contain the same active Truvada contents but may come in a different tablet size and shape, or in different packaging.

Is Truvada available over the counter?

Answer:
It isn’t possible to get Truvada over the counter; it must be prescribed by a clinician in the dose that’s right for you.

Before starting the treatment, and periodically during, you’ll need to have blood tests at your local GUM clinic to ensure you’re still testing negative for HIV.

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