What is the difference between Truvada and Descovy?

[TripA84]

Whats the main difference between the two if any and are they both equally effective? Im on truvada generic and the only side effect is a little weight loss.

Edited June 18, 2022 by TripA84

[BootmanLA]

The difference is in one of the two medications in the compound. For Descovy, that compound consists of emtricitabine & tenofovir alafenamide. For Truvada, it consists of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. In other words, they have different "varieties" of tenofovir as the second component.

Think of that as sort of like Diet Coke vs. Diet Coke with Splenda; both are sodas, both artificially sweetened, but there's a slight chemical difference in how the sweetness is delivered.

Both are considered highly effective medications.

[viking8x6]

To elaborate a little, the "disoproxil" and "alafenamide" parts of the tenofovir component are groups of atoms attached to the tenofovir molecule that help it get absorbed from the digestive system, protect it from destruction by the liver, and get it to the target cells it is protecting from HIV infection. The targeting is more effective with the alafenamide version, so they can use 25mg per day instead of 200mg per day. This helps reduce the side effects, which is particularly of concern for people whose kidney function is sensitive to the drug.

[TripA84]

Thank you for explaining that. 👍

[BlindRawFucker1]

I guess since Descovy is relatively new, there are no plans for a generic version?

[BootmanLA]

59 minutes ago, BlindRawFucker1 said:

I guess since Descovy is relatively new, there are no plans for a generic version?

There are undoubtedly "plans" for one, but since the patent doesn't expire until 2026, it may be a while before a generic is approved for use in the U.S. That said, Gilead (the maker of both medications, and the maker of many of the HIV treatment medications on the market today) gave its okay for a generic version of Truvada before its patent has expired. That may have been in part because of pressure from the public to approve a cheaper alternative, and also because they had Descovy in the final approval stages (giving them a new medication they could tout as superior to the old one (and its generic equivalents).

Edited June 21, 2022 by BootmanLA