Descovy Blister Pack

Generic name: emtricitabine and tenofovir [ EM-trye-SYE-ta-been-and-ten-OF-oh-vir- ]
Brand names: Descovy, Descovy Blister Pack, Truvada, AccessPak for HIV PEP Basic
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 6, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Descovy Blister Pack?

Descovy Blister Pack is an antiviral combination medicine that is used together with other HIV medications in adults and children to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Descovy Blister Pack is also used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in adults and teenagers to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

There is more than one Descovy Blister Pack brand form available. Your doctor will determine which brand form is the right treatment for you based on weight, age, and other factors.

Descovy Blister Pack may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Descovy Blister Pack side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Descovy Blister Pack can affect your immune system (even weeks or months after you've used Descovy Blister Pack). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;

• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or

• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, fast/slow or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• symptoms of new HIV infection--fever, night sweats, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, swollen glands in your neck or groin;

• sudden or unusual bone pain;

• kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or

• liver problems--swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Descovy Blister Pack may include:

• headache, dizziness, feeling depressed or tired;

• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

• diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain;

• weight loss; or

• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, tenofovir, emtricitabine, abacavir, emtricitabine / tenofovir

Warnings

If you've ever had hepatitis B, it may become active or get worse after you stop using this medicine. You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function and other medical tests before starting this medicine and for several months after you stop.

Descovy Blister Pack pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is used to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Do not use this medicine for PrEP if you are HIV-positive or have not confirmed you are HIV-negative.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Descovy Blister Pack for PrEP if you are HIV-positive or have not confirmed you are HIV-negative.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• flu-like symptoms;

• if you are sexually active;

• may have been exposed to HIV within the past month;

• been recently tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea;

• bone problems, low bone mineral density;

• hepatitis B (you may be tested for hepatitis B before you can use Descovy Blister Pack);

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. To prevent HIV in a newborn baby, use all medications to control your infection during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry.

Women with HIV should not breastfeed. The virus can pass to your baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Descovy Blister Pack?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Descovy Blister Pack is taken once per day. You may take this medicine with or without food.

If you are on dialysis, take this medicine after dialysis.

Use all HIV medications as directed. Do not change your dose, skip doses or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice. Remain under the care of a doctor.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Descovy Blister Pack (PrEP) alone will not protect you from infection with HIV. You must also use safer sex practices and get tested for HIV before starting prophylaxis and at least once every 3 months.

If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using this medicine. You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function and other medical tests before starting this medicine and for several months after you stop.

You will also need medical tests and your kidney function to be checked often while using this medicine.

Doses are based on weight. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.

Store tightly closed in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular schedule. Do not use two doses at one time.

Skipping doses could make the virus resistant to medication or increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Descovy Blister Pack?

Using Descovy Blister Pack will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

What other drugs will affect Descovy Blister Pack?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Descovy Blister Pack can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• seizure medicine--carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital; or

• other antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Descovy Blister Pack. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

• Truvada vs Descovy: How do they compare for HIV and PrEP?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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