DESCOVY for PrEP® (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide)

Can women use DESCOVY for PrEP?

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 answer1

DESCOVY for PrEP is a once-daily prescription medication.

PrEP stands for “pre-exposure prophylaxis”, and is medicine taken to reduce the risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) from certain types of sex for adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds.

The effectiveness of DESCOVY for PrEP has not been studied in this group of people.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about how to reduce your risk of getting HIV‑1.

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.

Can women use DESCOVY for PrEP?1

• DESCOVY for PrEP is not for use in women who were assigned female at birth and who are at risk of getting HIV-1 from vaginal sex.
• DESCOVY for PrEP can reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 from certain types of sex in adults and adolescents who weight at least 77 pounds.
• A clinical study with DESCOVY for PrEP was done in adult cisgender men who have sex with men and in transgender women who have sex with men.
• More studies need to be done before we know if DESCOVY for PrEP will also protect women who were assigned female at birth and who are at risk of getting HIV-1 from vaginal sex.
• Please talk to your doctor if you are unsure whether you can take DESCOVY for PrEP

Will DESCOVY for PrEP ever be available for women assigned female at birth?1  

• It is not known if DESCOVY for PrEP works for this group of people.
• DESCOVY for PrEP will only be available for this group of people if there are data to show that it works. A new clinical study will assess the effectiveness of DESCOVY for PrEP in reducing the risk of women who were assigned female at birth of getting HIV-1 from vaginal sex.
• The manufacturer of the medication, Gilead Sciences, is committed to learning more about how DESCOVY for PrEP works in all people who may benefit from taking it.
• If you were assigned female at birth and are at risk of getting HIV-1 from vaginal sex, please speak to your doctor about other available options to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1.

Glossary

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome): most advanced stage of HIV 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

1. Enclosed. DESCOVY, Gilead Sciences Inc. Descovy® (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets, for oral use. U.S. Prescribing Information. Foster City, CA. 

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 HCP.

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.

1. Enclosed. Gilead Sciences Inc, DESCOVY® (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets, for oral use. U. S. Prescribing Information. Foster City, CA.