What are the available forms of Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)?

Available Forms of Truvada (Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate)

Truvada is available as a fixed-dose combination tablet containing 200 mg of emtricitabine (FTC) and 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for once-daily oral administration. 1

Tablet Formulation Details

• Standard Adult Tablet: Single tablet containing 200 mg emtricitabine and 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
• Administration: Taken orally once daily with or without food
• Physical Characteristics: The tenofovir disoproxil fumarate component is available as light blue capsule-shaped biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with 'C533' on one side and plain on the other side 2

Generic and Brand Formulations

• Brand Name: Truvada® (original formulation by Gilead Sciences)
• Generic Forms: Generic versions of TDF/FTC are available in many countries 3
• Global Availability: Generic TDF/FTC is widely available, particularly in resource-limited settings 4

Clinical Applications

Truvada has multiple approved uses:

1. HIV Treatment: As part of combination antiretroviral therapy regimens

   • Used as the nucleoside/nucleotide RTI backbone in combination with other antiretroviral agents 5
   • Often paired with integrase strand transfer inhibitors or boosted protease inhibitors 3

2. HIV Prevention (PrEP):

   • Approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis in high-risk adults 6
   • Recommended as daily oral PrEP by the American College of Physicians and CDC 7

Alternative Formulations

While Truvada specifically refers to the emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate combination, it's worth noting related formulations:

• Tenofovir Alafenamide/Emtricitabine (TAF/FTC): A newer formulation with potentially improved renal and bone safety compared to TDF/FTC 3, 7
• Lamivudine/Tenofovir (3TC/TDF): Considered clinically interchangeable with FTC/TDF for PrEP by WHO and PEPFAR, and may be more cost-effective in some settings 4

Special Considerations

• Renal Function: Dosing interval adjustment required when creatinine clearance is less than 50 ml/min; avoid use when less than 30 ml/min 1
• Pediatric Use: Specific formulations for children are not mentioned in the provided evidence, though guidelines address use in children with appropriate weight-based dosing 3
• Storage: Standard room temperature storage (specific details not provided in evidence)

Important Monitoring

When prescribing Truvada, regular monitoring is essential:

• HIV testing every 2-3 months
• Renal function assessment at least every 6 months
• STI screening every 3 months 7

Truvada represents a significant advancement in HIV treatment and prevention, having transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition when used appropriately 8.