Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Descovy is a prescription medication made by Gilead Sciences that contains two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). It is FDA-approved for two main uses:
Descovy uses tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), a newer and more targeted form of tenofovir compared to the older tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) found in Truvada, offering improved kidney and bone safety profiles.
Descovy works by combining two NRTIs that block HIV from replicating inside the body:
TAF achieves high antiviral concentrations inside cells at a dose roughly 10 times lower than the older tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), which results in lower systemic tenofovir levels and improved renal and bone safety. When taken daily, Descovy either suppresses HIV viral load (for treatment) or prevents HIV from establishing infection (for PrEP).
Descovy scores a 65 out of 100 on our findability scale, placing it in the "intermittent issues" category. While Descovy is not currently listed on the FDA Drug Shortage database, it remains a brand-name-only medication with no FDA-approved generic available in the United States as of early 2026. This means supply is limited to a single manufacturer (Gilead Sciences), and the extremely high cash price of $2,200–$2,944 per month can create significant access barriers for uninsured or underinsured patients. Most well-stocked pharmacies carry Descovy, but smaller or independent pharmacies may not keep it on hand due to its cost and niche patient population.
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Descovy can be prescribed by a range of healthcare providers, including:
Descovy is also available through telehealth services, making it easier to obtain a PrEP prescription without an in-person visit.
No, Descovy is not a controlled substance. It is not classified under any DEA schedule. Descovy is a standard prescription medication that requires a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider but does not carry the restrictions associated with controlled substances.
Serious side effects (less common but important to watch for):
Boxed Warning: Descovy carries FDA boxed warnings regarding the risk of drug-resistant HIV-1 if used for PrEP in individuals with undiagnosed HIV infection, and severe hepatitis B flares upon discontinuation in co-infected patients.
Descovy is a highly effective medication for both HIV treatment and HIV prevention (PrEP), offering improved kidney and bone safety compared to the older Truvada formulation. However, its high cash price of $2,200–$2,944 per month and lack of a US generic make affordability a significant concern. The good news is that most insurance plans cover Descovy for PrEP at $0 cost sharing under the ACA preventive services mandate, and Gilead's co-pay assistance program can cover up to $7,200 per year in out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients. Uninsured patients may qualify for Gilead's Patient Assistance Program, which provides Descovy at no cost. If you're having trouble finding or affording Descovy, Medfinder can help you locate pharmacies near you that have it in stock.
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