Loading page…
Find your medicineSearch name, salt, strength or type
Emtricitabine is an antiretroviral ingredient used with other medicines to treat HIV-1. It is also included with tenofovir in certain medicines used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. Browse available emtricitabine products at KwickPharmacy. Compare the active ingredients, strength, manufacturer, pack size and prescription status before ordering.
Emtricitabine is a prescription antiretroviral medicine used as part of combination therapy for HIV-1 infection. It belongs to a group of medicines called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Emtricitabine works by blocking HIV reverse transcriptase, an enzyme the virus needs to make new copies of itself.
By reducing HIV replication and the amount of virus in the blood, emtricitabine can help lower the risk of HIV-related complications and support the immune system. However, emtricitabine does not cure HIV.
Single-ingredient emtricitabine is generally used in combination with other appropriate antiretroviral medicines. It should not be used alone to treat HIV because incomplete treatment can allow the virus to develop resistance, potentially reducing the effectiveness of emtricitabine and related medicines.
Emtricitabine is also commonly included in combination HIV medicines, where it may be paired with other antiretroviral drugs to provide a complete treatment regimen.
Single-ingredient emtricitabine is approved to treat HIV-1 with other antiretrovirals. Fixed-dose combinations containing it are used for:
Ongoing HIV treatment
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, known as PEP, as part of a complete clinician-selected regimen
The use depends on every ingredient. HIV testing, kidney assessment and hepatitis B screening may be required first.
Emtricitabine works by inhibiting HIV reverse transcriptase, an enzyme the virus needs to convert its RNA into DNA and replicate inside infected cells. As a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), emtricitabine interferes with viral DNA production, helping reduce HIV replication and the amount of virus in the blood.
Emtricitabine does not eliminate HIV from the body or cure HIV infection. It is used as part of a combination antiretroviral treatment regimen, where consistent use of the prescribed medicines helps maintain viral suppression and reduces the risk of treatment resistance.
Emtricitabine alone is not a complete PrEP medicine. Approved oral PrEP tablets combine emtricitabine with tenofovir. Examples include emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, sold as Truvada or generics, and emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide, sold as Descovy.
PrEP is for people without HIV. Testing is required before starting and during treatment. Selection depends on exposure route, kidney health, hepatitis B status and national guidance.
Emtricitabine is a single active antiretroviral ingredient, while Truvada is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg.
Truvada, when used with other antiretroviral medicines, is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. It is also approved for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in eligible HIV-negative individuals when used as directed.
Single-ingredient emtricitabine should not be substituted for Truvada because it does not contain tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. The appropriate product and regimen depend on the intended use, HIV testing, kidney function, and other clinical factors.
Emtricitabine is commonly abbreviated as FTC. Emtriva is the established brand name for single-ingredient emtricitabine.
Combination antiretroviral medicines may identify emtricitabine as FTC alongside another active ingredient. For example, FTC/TDF refers to the combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
Emtricitabine belongs to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) class of antiretroviral medicines. It is a synthetic analogue of cytidine.
Emtricitabine inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase and interferes with viral DNA synthesis. NRTIs such as emtricitabine are commonly used as components of combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV.
No. Emtricitabine (FTC) and lamivudine (3TC) are different NRTI medicines, although they have similar mechanisms of action and overlapping resistance characteristics.
They may serve as alternatives in certain HIV treatment regimens, but they are generally not used together because combining these closely related medicines does not provide an established additional treatment benefit and can result in unnecessary duplication.
Do not switch between emtricitabine and lamivudine without medical guidance. Their formulations, strengths, approved combination products, and appropriate uses may differ.
The labelled adult dose of single-ingredient Emtriva (emtricitabine) is 200 mg once daily when administered as capsules, or 240 mg (24 mL) once daily when using the oral solution. It may be taken with or without food. Dosing for children is based on age and body weight.
People with impaired kidney function may require dosage adjustment or a longer interval between doses. The appropriate dose can also differ for combination medicines containing emtricitabine because dosing depends on the other active ingredients and the person's kidney function.
Do not use the dosing information for single-ingredient emtricitabine as instructions for combination products such as Truvada or Descovy, or for HIV prevention regimens such as PrEP or PEP. These uses have specific medication combinations and dosing schedules that should be determined by a healthcare professional.
Take emtricitabine consistently as prescribed and avoid running out of medication. If you miss a dose, follow the missed-dose instructions provided with your medicine or ask your healthcare professional. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose unless specifically instructed.
Emtricitabine may cause side effects such as headache, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, abnormal dreams, abdominal discomfort, or rash. Darkening of the skin, particularly on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, may also occur.
Contact a healthcare professional if side effects are persistent, severe, or concerning. Seek urgent medical attention for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, severe weakness, unusual muscle pain, persistent vomiting, rapid or difficult breathing, severe abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These symptoms may indicate a serious reaction or a potentially severe liver or metabolic problem, including rare lactic acidosis.
People should be tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before starting an emtricitabine-containing treatment. Emtricitabine has activity against HBV, but it should not be considered a complete treatment for chronic hepatitis B when used alone.
Stopping an emtricitabine-containing regimen in a person who has both HIV and hepatitis B can cause a severe worsening of hepatitis B. Do not stop treatment without medical guidance, particularly if you have hepatitis B.
Tell your healthcare professional about any kidney or liver problems, pregnancy or plans to become pregnant, breastfeeding, and all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you use.
Do not take multiple medicines containing emtricitabine or closely related antiretroviral ingredients such as lamivudine unless your healthcare professional has reviewed the complete treatment regimen. Duplicate therapy may provide no additional benefit and could increase the risk of adverse effects or treatment complications.
Store emtricitabine capsules in their original, tightly closed container and follow the temperature and storage conditions stated on the product label.
The oral solution may have different storage requirements, including specific instructions regarding refrigeration and how long it can remain at room temperature. Always follow the storage instructions supplied with your particular formulation.
Keep emtricitabine and all medicines out of the reach of children. Do not use medicine that has expired or has been stored outside the recommended conditions without first checking with a pharmacist.
Emtricitabine
No. It helps control HIV when combined with other antiretroviral medicines. Continuing the complete regimen as prescribed reduces the risk of resistance and treatment failure.
