Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) Tablets

Descovy is a prescription antiviral tablet that contains emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. It may be used for HIV-1 prevention (PrEP) or as part of an HIV-1 treatment regimen, depending on the prescriber’s plan. Ships from Canada to US, and this page explains what to know about dosing basics, safety, storage, and access steps for people paying cash without insurance.

Information here is a practical overview, not a substitute for clinical judgment. The prescribing information and a clinician’s instructions should guide use, testing, and follow-up. When questions come up—missed doses, new medicines, or side effects—pharmacists and prescribers can help interpret the label for a specific situation.

What Descovy Is and How It Works

This medicine combines two antiretroviral drugs in one tablet: emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. Both belong to a class called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (HIV “copying blockers”). In simple terms, they reduce the virus’s ability to make new copies by interfering with reverse transcriptase, a key viral enzyme. Tenofovir alafenamide is a “prodrug” (an inactive form that is converted to the active drug inside cells), which changes how the drug is distributed in the body compared with older tenofovir forms.

Prescriptions are confirmed with the original prescriber before dispensing. For HIV prevention, these medicines help lower the chance of HIV-1 infection when taken as prescribed, but they do not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For HIV treatment, this tablet is used with other antiretroviral medicines; it is not used alone as a complete regimen. Long-term outcomes depend on consistent dosing, regular lab monitoring, and ongoing risk-reduction strategies selected with a healthcare professional.

Who It’s For

For HIV-1 prevention, Descovy may be prescribed as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for certain adults and adolescents who are HIV-negative and at risk of HIV acquisition through sex. It is not indicated for people at risk from receptive vaginal sex because effectiveness has not been evaluated for that exposure route. A baseline HIV test is essential before starting PrEP, and repeat testing is typically part of ongoing follow-up. For additional context about PrEP concepts and common terminology, the guide What Is PrEP Medication may help.

For HIV-1 treatment, this medicine is used only as part of combination therapy with other antiretrovirals, guided by resistance history and prior treatment. People living with HIV can browse related hubs such as the HIV Condition Hub and the Antivirals Category to see other prescription categories offered through the platform. At a high level, it should not be used by anyone with a known allergy to its ingredients, and it should not be started for PrEP if HIV status is positive or unknown.

Dosage and Usage

Label directions for both prevention and treatment use a once-daily schedule. For PrEP, the usual approach is one tablet taken every day, with consistent timing to support adherence. For HIV treatment, the tablet is also taken once daily but must be combined with other antiretroviral medicines as prescribed. Food is not required for absorption, so it can generally be taken with or without meals, which can make routines easier to maintain.

Descovy dosing questions often come up around missed doses, travel days, or schedule changes. The product label describes what to do if a dose is missed, and a pharmacist can clarify the “as soon as remembered” guidance in plain language. It is also important that HIV testing and other monitoring are done on the schedule set by the prescriber, especially when the medicine is used for PrEP.

Why it matters: Skipping testing can delay detection of HIV and affect future treatment choices.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as an oral tablet combining emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in a fixed dose. Availability can vary by pharmacy partner and by market, so packaging presentation may differ (for example, bottle count or labeling format). The strength used for both PrEP and as part of treatment regimens is the same fixed-dose tablet, which simplifies refills and reduces the chance of mixing strengths.

Some people recognize the ingredients by their generic description, such as emtricitabine tenofovir alafenamide tablets. If there is uncertainty about the exact product supplied, the dispensing label and medication guide can be reviewed with the pharmacist to confirm the active ingredients, strength, and dosing directions.

Storage and Travel Basics

Descovy is typically stored at controlled room temperature and kept in its original container to protect from moisture. Bottles often include a desiccant and a child-resistant cap; these should remain in place unless the pharmacist provides different instructions. Avoid storing tablets in places with high heat or humidity (such as bathrooms, vehicles, or near kitchen steam), since moisture can degrade tablets over time.

For travel, keeping the medicine in a carry-on bag helps prevent temperature extremes and reduces the risk of a missed dose if luggage is delayed. It can help to travel with the labeled container for identification at security checkpoints. When planning extended trips, confirm refill timing early so there is enough medication on hand and no interruption of the once-daily schedule. For broader HIV prevention and testing reminders while traveling, Know Your Status is a useful refresher.

Side Effects and Safety

Like many antivirals, Descovy can cause side effects that are usually mild and improve as the body adjusts. Commonly reported issues include nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, headache, and tiredness. Not everyone experiences side effects, and many people tolerate the medicine well. Any new or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional, especially if they affect daily routines or lead to missed doses.

Dispensing is handled by licensed Canadian partner pharmacies. More serious risks discussed in the label include worsening of hepatitis B after stopping (in people with hepatitis B infection), kidney problems, liver problems, and rare lactic acidosis (a serious buildup of lactic acid). For people using PrEP, there is an additional safety focus: HIV must remain negative, because starting or continuing PrEP during undiagnosed HIV can contribute to drug resistance. For sexual health questions that commonly influence testing plans, HIV From Oral Sex provides plain-language context.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

This tablet can interact with medicines that affect drug transport proteins and metabolism. Certain medications may lower tenofovir alafenamide levels and reduce effectiveness, including strong enzyme inducers such as rifampin and rifabutin (some tuberculosis antibiotics), carbamazepine and phenytoin (some seizure medicines), and St. John’s wort (an herbal supplement). Because many interactions involve long-term therapies, an up-to-date medication list is important at each visit.

Additional caution is often needed with other drugs that can affect kidney function, as well as with multi-drug HIV regimens where boosters or other antivirals may change exposures. Over-the-counter products and supplements can matter, even when they seem unrelated.

Quick tip: Keep a single written list of prescriptions, OTC products, and supplements for review.

Compare With Alternatives

When discussing prevention or treatment options, Descovy is commonly compared with other PrEP strategies. One alternative is daily oral emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF), which has a longer track record across exposure types, including receptive vaginal sex. Another option for some people is long-acting injectable cabotegravir, administered on a set schedule in a clinic setting; the product page Apretude Injectable Suspension is listed for reference when a prescriber selects that route. The right fit depends on medical history, adherence preferences, and testing access.

For HIV treatment (not prevention), the comparison set is different and depends on resistance patterns and regimen design. Some fixed-dose combination tablets, such as Delstrigo Tablets, are used for treatment under clinician direction and are not interchangeable with PrEP. For general background on tenofovir-based options and how regimens differ between prevention and treatment, see Tenvir Em Options Guide and Tenvir AF Uses.

Pricing and Access

Descovy pricing can vary based on strength, supply duration, and pharmacy sourcing. Many people exploring PrEP look for an out-of-pocket path when coverage is limited, while others compare assistance programs or employer benefits. US delivery from Canada is one service model used to support cross-border access for eligible prescriptions. Any available site-wide savings opportunities are listed on Current Promotions, though specific eligibility depends on the product and prescription details.

Cash-pay access is available when insurance coverage is unavailable. To request dispensing through the platform, a valid prescription is submitted, and the pharmacy team may contact the prescriber to confirm directions or clarify missing information. This verification step helps reduce delays and supports accurate labeling. For account actions, documents can be uploaded securely and shipment details selected during checkout once the prescription has been approved.

Authoritative Sources

For the official U.S. prescribing information, see FDA Drug Labels (Drugs@FDA).

For CDC guidance on PrEP testing and follow-up, review CDC HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

To submit a prescription request, choose prompt, express shipping at checkout if needed.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.