What is Truvada?

Truvada is a prescription drug used to treat HIV infection. It cannot cure HIV but is used to help those living with HIV live “longer, healthier lives.” It also reduces the risk of HIV transmission, says AIDS Info, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

How does Truvada work?

Truvada is a combination of two drugs in one pill — emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. AIDSInfo notes that both of these drugs are in the class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and work to help prevent HIV from multiplying in the body.

It is used in combination with other HIV medications. WebMD notes that HIV medication Truvada should not be used alone because if it is used alone, it may be less effective.

Who uses Truvada?

People who already have HIV can use Truvada to manage the disease, but WebMD notes that In the U.S., Truvada is approved specifically for people who have a high risk for infection of HIV, but do not yet have it. This is known as using it as PrEP, and can help people from contracting the disease if they are at high risk.

People who may be at high risk for contracting HIV include those who have a partner who is HIV positive, those who have unprotected sex or multiple sex partners, or those who have a sexually transmitted disease. 

What are side effects of Truvada?

Side effects of Truvada include nausea and dizziness, which are manageable. AIDSinfo notes that other Truvada side effects may be more serious, including the following:

• kidney problems including kidney failure
• increase of lactic acid in the blood
• liver problems
• changes in the immune system
• bone problems including bone pain, softening, or thinning

Reportedly, drugs that include the active ingredient tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may increase a patient’s risk for bone density and kidney side effects. Other drugs like Truvada that have the active ingredient tenofovir disoproxil fumarate include Atripla, Complera, Stribild, and Viread.

The bone problems associated with these drugs include bone demineralization and bone density problems, which can lead to weakness and fractures.

What are the side effects of Truvada when used as a preventative measure?

The Body Pro states that side effects of Truvada that can arise when the drug is used as a preventive, called “PrEP,” include:

• nausea
• abdominal cramping
• vomiting
• dizziness
• headache
• fatigue

These side effects reportedly usually resolve on their own even if a person continues to take the drug.

However, a study by the Center for AIDS Information & Advocacy notes that problems like bone density and kidney problems may affect people who take Truvada as PrEP as well as those who take Truvada to manage existing HIV.

According to the study, taking Truvada preventatively “cuts the risk of HIV acquisition, but it does so at the risk of TDF-related toxicity and so requires pre-PrEP side-effect screening and regular check-ups during PrEP.”