Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to help treat and prevent HIV in adults and certain children. Truvada comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day.
Truvada belongs to a drug class called antiretrovirals. Specifically, the two drugs in Truvada are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Truvada is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Truvada, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Truvada, including the drug’s side effects, see this article. For more information on Truvada for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Truvada provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Truvada, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Commonly recommended dosages for Truvada are listed below. However, your doctor will prescribe the Truvada dosage that’s right for you.
Truvada form
Truvada is available as an oral tablet that you swallow.
Truvada strengths
Truvada comes in four strengths:
- 100 milligrams (mg) emtricitabine/150 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
- 133 mg emtricitabine/200 mg TDF
- 167 mg emtricitabine/250 mg TDF
- 200 mg emtricitabine/300 mg TDF
Typical dosages for adults
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for PrEP
The typical recommended dosage of Truvada for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in adults is one 200-mg emtricitabine/300-mg TDF tablet. You’ll likely take this tablet once per day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Truvada on a different dosing schedule, such as every other day.
For more information on Truvada for PrEP therapy, see this article.
Dosage for HIV
The typical recommended dosage of Truvada for adults with HIV is one 200-mg emtricitabine/300-mg TDF tablet. You’ll likely take this tablet once per day.
Children’s dosage
Truvada oral tablets are approved to treat and prevent HIV in certain children. The dosage of Truvada is based on a child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals approximately 2.2 pounds (lb).
Dosage for PrEP
Truvada oral tablets are approved for HIV PrEP in adolescents (ages 12 to 18 years) weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb). The typical recommended dosage is one 200-mg emtricitabine/300-mg TDF tablet taken once per day.
Dosage for HIV
Truvada oral tablets have been approved to treat HIV in children who can swallow tablets and weigh at least 17 kg (37.4 lb). The recommended dosage is based on body weight as follows:
| Body weight | Dosage of Truvada (emtricitabine/TDF) |
| 17 kg (37.4 lb) to less than 22 kg (48.4 lb) | 100-mg/150-mg tablet once per day |
| 22 kg to less than 28 kg (61.6 lb) | 133-mg/200-mg tablet once per day |
| 28 kg to less than 35 kg (77 lb) | 167-mg/250-mg tablet once per day |
| 35 kg or more | 200-mg/300-mg tablet once per day |
Long-term treatment
Truvada is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Truvada is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Truvada dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- your weight
- how well your kidneys work
For more information on factors that may affect your Truvada dosage, ask your doctor.
Dosage adjustments
Before you start taking Truvada, tell your doctor about any kidney problems you may have. This drug may not be safe to take with some severe kidney conditions, such as kidney disease.
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of this drug, such as prescribing it to be taken every other day. They may also recommend a different treatment for your condition. Your doctor will explain whether this medication is safe for you.
It’s important to take Truvada exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Typically, this will mean taking it once per day. Try to take Truvada around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Truvada can work effectively.
You can take Truvada with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSIf you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Truvada in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s very important not to miss doses of Truvada. This is especially true if you take Truvada for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Missing a Truvada PrEP dose can increase your risk of developing HIV.
If you take Truvada to treat HIV, missing a dose can increase the risk of viral resistance. This will make it harder to treat HIV.
If you do miss a dose of Truvada, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If you need help deciding whether or not to take a missed dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Truvada than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Truvada
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Truvada. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Truvada for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Truvada without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Truvada that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Truvada. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Truvada. For information about other aspects of Truvada, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Truvada, see this article. You can also look at the Truvada prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. To find out how Truvada compares with Descovy, read this article.
- Interactions. For details about what Truvada interacts with, see this article.
- Details about HIV. For details about HIV, see our HIV & AIDS hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
