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NRTI (antiretroviral)

Emtricitabine

Brand names: Emtriva

Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used as part of combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection, and it is also active against hepatitis B virus.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is phosphorylated intracellularly to its active triphosphate, which competitively inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and acts as a chain terminator during viral DNA synthesis.

Prescribing in practice

  • In patients co-infected with hepatitis B, stopping emtricitabine can precipitate a severe acute flare of hepatitis, so discontinuation requires close monitoring of liver function.
  • It is almost always given as part of a fixed-dose combination rather than alone, as monotherapy risks rapid resistance.
  • Dose adjustment is required in renal impairment because it is predominantly cleared by the kidneys.

Monitoring

Monitor renal function, HIV viral load and CD4 count, and hepatic function (particularly in hepatitis B co-infection).

Counselling the patient

  • Take every day at the same time to maintain effective drug levels and reduce the risk of resistance.
  • Do not stop the medicine without medical advice, especially if you also have hepatitis B.
  • Antiretroviral therapy controls but does not cure HIV, and adherence is essential.

Evidence & guidelines

Emtricitabine is recommended within combination antiretroviral regimens in UK (BHIVA) and NICE-endorsed HIV treatment guidance.

Reference: BHIVA HIV guidelines; EACS guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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