Brand Names of HIV PrEP Medications
The primary brand names for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medications are Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) and Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine), with long-acting injectable cabotegravir (brand name Apretude) as another option. 1, 2
Oral PrEP Options
Truvada (TDF/FTC)
- Truvada contains tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) 300mg and emtricitabine (FTC) 200mg in a single daily tablet 1
- Truvada is FDA-approved for PrEP in all populations at risk for HIV, including cisgender men, cisgender women, and transgender individuals 2
- Truvada can be used for both daily dosing and on-demand "2-1-1" dosing for men who have sex with men (MSM) 1, 2
- Truvada is not recommended for individuals with creatinine clearance below 60 mL/min/1.73m² 1
Descovy (TAF/FTC)
- Descovy contains tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) 25mg and emtricitabine (FTC) 200mg in a single daily tablet 3, 4
- Descovy is FDA-approved specifically for MSM and transgender women who have sex with men, but NOT for cisgender women or prevention of HIV infection from receptive vaginal sex 3, 2
- Descovy is preferred for individuals with or at risk for kidney dysfunction, osteopenia, or osteoporosis 3, 5
- Descovy is not recommended for on-demand or event-driven PrEP (the "2-1-1" dosing schedule) 3
Injectable PrEP Option
Apretude (Cabotegravir)
- Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (brand name Apretude) is administered every 8 weeks after an initial 4-week interval between the first two injections 1
- Apretude is recommended as PrEP for cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men 1
- An oral lead-in period to establish tolerability is optional before starting Apretude 1
Key Differences Between Options
- Truvada has been studied and approved for all populations at risk for HIV, while Descovy is only approved for MSM and transgender women 3, 2
- Descovy shows improved renal and bone safety profiles compared to Truvada, making it preferable for those with kidney or bone concerns 3, 5
- Apretude offers an injectable alternative that eliminates the need for daily pill adherence 1, 2
Common Prescribing Considerations
- HIV testing is mandatory before initiating any PrEP medication to confirm HIV-negative status 1
- Follow-up visits are recommended at 1 month after initiation and quarterly thereafter for all PrEP medications 1, 2
- PrEP prescriptions should not exceed 90 days without interval HIV testing 1, 2
It's important to note that generic versions of Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) are also available, which may increase accessibility through lower cost while providing the same efficacy as the brand-name medication 6.