Descovy for PrEP
How long will it take for Descovy for PrEP to protect me against HIV-1?
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is providing this letter in response to your unsolicited request for medical information. It is not promotional. It is intended for a US audience 18 years or older.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is providing this letter in response to your unsolicited request for medical information. It is not promotional. It is intended for a US audience 18 years or older.
DESCOVY for PrEP® (emtricitabine and tenovir alafenamide)
How long will it take for DESCOVY for PrEP to protect me against HIV-1?
This information is provided in response to your question. It is not treatment advice on how to use DESCOVY for PrEP. Please discuss this question and others you have about your medical condition or treatment with your healthcare provider.
Download the DESCOVY Patient Information for more details, including approved use(s) and important warnings. https://www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/descovy/descovy_patient_pi.pdf
The short answer
We do not know how long it takes for DESCOVY for PrEP (known as pre‑exposure prophylaxis) to decrease the risk of getting HIV‑1 from certain types of sex.1
DESCOVY for PrEP should be taken once a day, every day.1
A clinical study showed that Descovy for PrEP works better when taken every day, as directed.2
Who is DESCOVY for PrEP for?1
- DESCOVY for PrEP is a once-daily prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults and teenagers who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg). HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- It is not known if DESCOVY for PrEP is effective in reducing the risk of getting HIV-1 from certain types of sex.
- DESCOVY for PrEP is not for use in people born female (assigned female at birth) who are at risk of getting HIV-1 from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied.
| You must be HIV-negative before you start and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. Do not take DESCOVY for HIV-1 PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or you do not know your HIV-1 infection status. |
| Talk to a healthcare provider about your risk of getting HIV and if DESCOVY for PrEP is right for you. If you do not have a healthcare provider, the PrEP Locator website (https://www.PrEPLocator.org) can help you find a healthcare provider in your area who has experience prescribing PrEP medications. |
How long will it take for DESCOVY for PrEP to protect against HIV-1?
We do not know exactly how long it takes for DESCOVY for PrEP to build up to protective levels against HIV-1 in the body.1
A clinical study showed that DESCOVY for PrEP is most effective when taken once a day, every day, as directed.2
What did the clinical studies report about the time it takes for DESCOVY for PrEP to be protective against HIV-1?2
The time it takes DESCOVY for PrEP to have maximum protection against HIV-1 infection is not known from the clinical studies conducted.
Glossary
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Gilead Sciences, Inc. is providing this letter in response to your unsolicited request for medical information. It is not promotional. It is intended for a US audience 18 years or older.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome): most advanced stage of HIV infection.
HBV (hepatitis B virus) infection: a type of virus (HBV) that can cause serious liver infection.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): means routinely taking prescription medicine before you're exposed to HIV to help reduce your chances of getting it.
References
- Enclosed. Gilead Sciences Inc, DESCOVY® (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets, for oral use. U. S. Prescribing Information. Foster City, CA.
- Spinner CD, Brunetta J, Shalit P, et al. DISCOVER STUDY for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: F/TAF has a more Rapid Onset and Longer Sustained Duration of HIV Protection Compared with F/TDF [Presentation]. Paper presented at: IAS 2019; 21-24 July, 2019; Mexico City, Mexico.
More information about Descovy
If you would like more detailed information about Descovy, please visit:
www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/descovy/descovy_pi.
This is the US FDA-approved Prescribing Information, including the Patient Labeling, for Descovy. It will tell you about the uses, warnings, and other important safety information about Descovy.
Important note
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is providing this letter in response to your unsolicited request for medical information. Some of the information included in this letter may not be covered in the US FDA- approved Prescribing Information for Descovy. Gilead Sciences, Inc. does not intend this letter to be used as medical advice and does not promote use of Descovy in a way that has not been approved by the FDA. Please discuss this question and others you may have about your medical condition or treatment with your doctor.
Follow-Up
For any additional questions, please contact Gilead Medical Information at:
☎1‐866‐MEDI‐GSI (1‐866‐633‐4474) or https://www.patient.askgileadmedical.com/
Reporting side effects
Please report all adverse events to:
Gilead Global Patient Safety ☎ 1-800-445-3235, option 3 or
www.gilead.com/utility/contact/report-an-adverse-event
FDA MedWatch Program by ☎ 1-800-FDA-1088 or MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Ln, Rockville, MD 20852 or www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch
Data Privacy
The Medical Information service at Gilead Sciences may collect, store, and use your personal information to provide a response to your medical request. We may share your information with other Gilead Sciences colleagues to ensure that your request is addressed appropriately. If you report an adverse event or concern about the quality of a Gilead or Kite product, we will need to use the information you have given us in order to meet our regulatory requirements in relation to the safety of our medicines.
It may be necessary for us to share your information with Gilead’s affiliates, business partners, service providers, and regulatory authorities located in countries besides your own. Gilead Sciences has implemented measures to protect the personal information you provide. Please see the Gilead Privacy Statement (www.gilead.com/privacy-statements) for more information about how Gilead handles your personal information and your rights. If you have any further questions about the use of your personal information, please contact privacy@gilead.com.
DESCOVY, DESCOVY for PrEP, GILEAD, and the GILEAD logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
© 2025 Gilead Sciences, Inc.
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