What Is It Like to Take Descovy for HIV Prevention

Descovyis an oral medication that combines emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide to prevent and treat HIV, the virus that can lead toAIDS.

It lowers the amount ofHIVin the body, helping the immune system stay strong and reducing the risk of developing AIDS and its related complications. For treating HIV, people typically take Descovy with other HIV medications for best results. But it can also be taken by itself forpreexposure prophylaxis(PrEP) to prevent HIV infection in certain people who are at a higher risk for contracting the virus.

Taking Descovy is simple - just1 pill a day, with or without food - so most people find it easy to fit into their routine. Side effects like diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue can occur, but many people experience few or no side effects with the medication.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What are the next steps if you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?Here'sa guide to STI treatment options.
• What do I need to know about Descovy?Learn more about this prescription-only medicationused to treat and prevent HIV.
• What it's like to live with HIV:Read afirsthand accountfrom someone who has experienced it.

It's important to take Descovy consistently as prescribed to effectively manage or prevent an HIV infection. Regular health checkups to make sure it's working well are also recommended.

Here's how three people describe their daily experience with taking Descovy for PrEP.

Understanding PrEP - a key HIV-prevention strategy In April 2023, Malik Prince went to a clinic to get treatment forsyphilis. In addition to syphilis treatment, he left with a free bottle of Descovy, a medication for preventing and treating HIV.

Malik, a 25-year-old hairstylist, had just moved from Maryland to Raleigh, North Carolina. He had been looking forward to making new friends and had hit it off with one guy. But not long after meeting him, Malik learned his new friend had failed to disclose he had syphilis, asexually transmitted infection(STI).

"I don't think he was very honest with the status of everything he had going on," Malik says.

At the clinic, Malik shared that he and his now-former friend hadn't discussed their sexual health before having sex. The clinician then carefully explained how important it was for sexually active gay males to take some form of PrEP, a preventive strategy for people who are at a higher risk of HIV infection.

PrEP involves taking medication, like Descovy orTruvada(emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), to significantly reduce the risk of developing HIV. When taken consistently, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV transmission through sex. It's an important tool in HIV prevention, especially for individuals who may have sexual partners with HIV or who engage in activities that increase their risk of exposure.

"[My clinician] basically told me that I should get it now, because you don't want to come back and it be something else. You know what I'm saying?" Malik says.

The visit transformed Malik's approach to sexual health. He took his first dose of Descovy that day.

"At first, I was very scared of taking it, because I didn't know if it was going to change anything in my body, or change the way I feel, or change the way I think," he says, adding that he's now happy that he started treatment because "it was a very mature thing to do."

Malik says he's experienced none of Descovy's most commonside effects, which include diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Though, he has had some difficulty remembering to take it consistently. He recently went a week without the medication because he forgot to renew his prescription.

"The challenge is remembering to take it - you know, being responsible enough to take it," he says.

Malik, who recommended Descovy to his best friend, encourages others to consider PrEP. "Eventually you will get comfortable enough to go out and explore the world, however you explore the world," he says. "If you're a gay male that's very sexually active, you should absolutely get on PrEP, just to be safe."

He says he worries about the nonchalant attitude that sometimes exists around STIs.

"I don't think the gay community takes [HIV and AIDS] as seriously as they should," he says, adding that he understands the desire to normalize having HIV. "I want to make [HIV] as normal as possible, too, because it is a thing that affects all people, not just gay people. But it's definitely more prevalent in the gay community. Whether you're detectable or nondetectable, I think people should know your status."

A nail-biting habit leads to PrEP awareness Joseph "Joey" Richter has a lifelong habit of biting his nails down to the quick - a habit that once made him more vulnerable than he realized. As a bisexual man, Joey was always mindful of protection, but one incident shook him to his core and pushed him to talk to his healthcare professional about PrEP.

Joey, who's 41, works as an ambassador for the city of Tampa, Florida, providing visitors and locals with directions, safety escorts, and more. One night, while on patrol in Ybor City, a historic Tampa neighborhood, Joey witnessed a shooting. Without hesitation, he rushed to the victim's side, using his scarred hands to stop the bleeding until help arrived.

Although the most common way HIV is spread is through unprotected sex, it can also be transmitted if an infected person's blood touchesopen cuts or sores- like the raw skin around Joey's bitten fingernails. The encounter was a wake-up call for Joey that led him to meet with his primary care physician to discuss prevention options. Together, they decided on Descovy.

"I take other medications, but Descovy is the least hard on your kidneys," Joey says. PrEP medications can sometimes affect the kidneys, sokidney function testsare included in the required series of lab tests for people who take PrEP. (Other tests may consist of HIV, STI, and pregnancy tests.) Joey's insurance also covers his lab tests. Although he was initially interested in the PrEP injection that's given every 2 months, it was more expensive, and his insurance didn't cover it.

After 4 months of taking Descovy, Joey says he hasn't experienced any side effects and the only issue he's had is with the pill's size.

"It's a big pill," he says, adding that putting it in Jell-O is one way to make it easier to swallow. "But other than that, it's no problem. I haven't had any issues.

"But I do feel a sense of ease, knowing I'm doing my part to protect myself and not spread HIV," he adds. "It doesn't make you want to go out and have unprotected sex - that's not what it's about. But especially for LGBTQ+ people, it's comforting to know you're covered in case of an accident, like a condom break, or if you find out someone's been unfaithful. For me, it's one less thing to worry about."

For anyone considering PrEP, Joey has two key pieces of advice:

• Find an inclusive healthcare professional who offers relevant, supportive services to a diverse community.
• Always consult with your primary care physician before starting any new medication.

Embracing PrEP for peace of mind Branden Lee's experience with PrEP began in 2018 when he was living in Atlanta, a city with one of thehighest rates of new HIV diagnosesin the country. That stark reality weighed heavily on him.

"Getting on PrEP was the best decision I ever made for myself," says Branden, who's now 33. "For years, I was terrified of anal sex, and that fear cost me some relationships. I've always seen myself as a sexually liberated person, but my paranoia about HIV really held me back. Now, I can have sex without panicking after every encounter, wondering if I might have contracted HIV."

Before starting PrEP, even being in a committed, monogamous relationship didn't ease Branden's anxiety.

"I could never feel comfortable putting my health in someone else's hands," he says. "People can get infected from a cheating partner, and condoms aren't foolproof. They can break or be removed without the other person knowing. The only thing that gave me peace of mind was taking a daily pill."

After 3 months of taking PrEP, Branden says, he felt like a new person sexually. He was able to enjoy sex without the constant fear of contracting HIV, and his test results consistently came back negative. In 2020, his doctor recommended switching from his previous PrEP medication to Descovy, citing its long-term safety and the convenience of its smaller pill size. And Branden, who's currently working as a writer and actor in New York City, now prefers Descovy to other PrEP options for a few different reasons.

"I feel more comfortable taking a pill every day than getting a shot every 2 months. I travel a lot, and it would be inconvenient to have more frequent doctor's visits," he says, explaining that taking Descovy requires clinic visits and testing every 3 months, while the injectable PrEP would require visits every 2 months. "Plus, there's always the worry that the injection might wear off between visits, so I'm more at ease taking a daily pill."

Branden is a passionate advocate for PrEP, especially within the Black gay community.

"I've inspired many friends and acquaintances to get on PrEP, and I'm always proud to hear when someone makes that choice," he says. "HIV rates in the Black gay community are still alarmingly high, which is heartbreaking. In 2024, we have so many medical resources to prevent HIV, but unfortunately, many Black queer men aren't using them.

"HIV could be eradicated if all HIV-negative people were on PrEP and all HIV-positive people were undetectable. But that goal still seems far away," he adds. "We all have to do our part to stop the spread of HIV."

What does the pharmacist say?Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBSPharmacy Editor

Descovy(emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) is an oral tablet that'sFDA approvedto treat and prevent HIV. The two active ingredients in this antiviral medication work together to stop HIV from replicating and spreading in the body.

Descovy is relatively simple to take - especially when it's for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Most adults and adolescents can take one 200 mg/25 mg tablet every day, with or without food. However, you shouldn't take Descovy if you're at risk for contracting HIV through receptive vaginal sex or injection drug use. Thereisn't enough datayet to determine if the medication would be effective in these cases.

The simplicity of taking Descovy for PrEP shouldn't be mistaken for flexibility, either. Consistency is key when it comes to taking Descovy (and other PrEP medications). It's over 99% effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed, but frequently missing doses can diminish its effectiveness. To make sure Descovy continues to work over time, your prescriber will likely recommend gettingtested for HIVevery 3 months.

This HIV PrEP pill is generally well tolerated andmost of its potential interactionsare avoidable. Some people taking Descovy experience temporary side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue, but this isn't common overall. More serious side effects, such as hepatitis B exacerbations and lactic acidosis, are rare. Still, make sure to reach out to your healthcare professional without delay if you experience any bothersome or persistent side effects while taking Descovy.

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