Tenofovir Emtricitabine
300/200mg
Tenofovir with emtricitabine as a 300/200mg film-coated tablet, for HIV infection and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Two reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
From$1.84/ tabletView
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily antiretroviral regimen taken by HIV-negative people who are at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. When taken consistently, PrEP reduces the risk of sexually transmitted HIV by around 99%.
Key points
- The daily tablet combines tenofovir and emtricitabine, two drugs that block the enzyme HIV needs to copy itself inside cells.
- Because the medicines are already active in the body before contact occurs, the virus cannot take hold after exposure.
- Adults without HIV who are at higher risk, such as men who have sex with men, can start after a negative HIV test.
How PrEP works
The standard regimen combines two antiretrovirals, tenofovir and emtricitabine, taken together as a single daily tablet. Both drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme that HIV uses to replicate inside human cells. Because the drugs are already present in tissues when exposure happens, the virus cannot establish infection.
PrEP is part of a broader approach to HIV management and is typically used alongside regular HIV testing (every three months), screening for other sexually transmitted infections, and condom use.
Who benefits from PrEP
PrEP is indicated for HIV-negative adults in higher-risk groups, including men who have sex with men, serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV-positive), and people who inject drugs. Uptake has grown significantly in cities where sexual health clinics have made PrEP programmes more accessible. Starting PrEP requires a confirmed negative HIV test; ongoing negative results are needed to continue.