Rx
Generic PrEP

Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is a daily pill that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex.

HIV prevention Icon HIV prevention
Pill Icon Pill

$30 medical consultation

As low as $0/month with insurance

Medication shipped and billed every 1 or 3 months. Medication costs vary based on prescribed treatment, applicable insurance coverage, and availability of subsidized programs. If you are not using insurance, the medication price can vary. Note that 99% of our patients can access this medication for $0 with payment assistance programs. Additional costs apply, including a consultation and periodic support fee.
This treatment requires an online consultation with a Nurx medical provider.

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How emtricitabine/tenofovir reduces HIV risk*

  • Protects you before you come into contact with HIV
  • When taken daily, forms a barrier between you and HIV
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The science behind it

Fact 01

Delivers advanced protection

This medication is a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which means that it helps you protect yourself before you come in contact with HIV.

Fact 02

Daily treatment

This medication prevents the HIV virus from multiplying and can reduce the amount of the HIV virus in the body, if taken daily.

Fact 03

Used with safer sex practices

Always use this daily medication in combination with other safe-sex practices.

Real patient stories

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How to use Emtricitabine/tenofovir

This daily pill will prevent your body from being infected with HIV if taken as prescribed—always use it in combination with other safe-sex practices, such as knowing your HIV status and the status of your partners, talking about your status with your partners, using latex or polyurethane condoms, and getting tested for other STIs.

Drug facts

Tip 1

This medication is only for people who are HIV negative and should be taken every day, not just when you plan to have sex.

Tip 2

Make sure you take one pill every day at roughly the same time of day, and try to do so without missing doses.

Tip 3

Get tested for HIV before taking this medication and every three months while you are taking it.

How Nurx works

1

Request treatment

Complete our online medical consultation, which asks questions about your health history. If you are eligible for PrEP, our providers will order your labs.

2

Complete labs

Our providers will review the results to see if PrEP is right for you. If you test positive for any STIs they can either prescribe treatment or recommend options for in-person care.

3

Get your prescription

If prescribed PrEP, your three-month supply of daily pills will arrive in the mail with free shipping.

4

Repeat on schedule

To safely continue taking PrEP, you’ll need lab tests every three months. We’ll contact you to renew your prescription and order new labs before your prescription runs out.

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100%

online expert-level care

2+ million

Nurx patients served

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Why Nurx?

Affordable

Affordable out of pocket pricing

Convenient

Free shipping & pause or cancel anytime

Personalized

Providers help you find the right treatment

Supportive

Unlimited messaging for any questions, anytime

Common questions

  • How does this medication work?

    Emtricitabine / tenofovir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or NRTI. NRTIs work by preventing the HIV virus from multiplying and can reduce the amount of the HIV virus in the body.

  • What precautions should I take when using this medication?

    HIV tests can miss an HIV infection if the person has recently been infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, joint or muscle aches, tiredness, or vomiting, either within the last month or any time while you're taking emtricitabine/tenofovir, let your healthcare provider know.

    Let your medical provider know right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not take if you are breastfeeding.

    Emtricitabine / tenofovir can interact with some medications, so keep a list of all of the medications that you take and tell your healthcare provider about them. People taking emtricitabine / tenofovir to prevent HIV will also need to be regularly tested for HIV and kidney function.

  • What are the side effects of this medication?

    There are some more common side effects associated with emtricitabine / tenofovir. These include weight loss, headache, and abdominal pain. Fortunately, however, these side effects subside after a week or two.

    There are some potential serious side effects of emtricitabine / tenofovir. These include kidney problems, liver problems, and bone problems. Emtricitabine / tenofovir.can also lead to a rare but serious medical condition called lactic acidosis, or too much lactic acid in your blood, so tell your medical provider right away if you experience symptoms such as unusual muscle pain, cold or blue hands or feet, a fast or abnormal heartbeat, or stomach pain with vomiting and nausea.

  • Who can take this medication?

    You must be negative for HIV before you begin taking emtricitabine / tenofovir for PrEP. You should not take emtricitabine / tenofovir if you are HIV positive or don't know your status. Get tested for HIV before taking emtricitabine / tenofovir, and every three months while you are taking it. Let your healthcare provider know if you think you may have been exposed to HIV.

    Emtricitabine / tenofovir is a daily pill. Missing a dose could increase your risk of getting an HIV infection, so make sure to take it each day as directed by your medical provider.

    Even when you are taking emtricitabine / tenofovir, you should observe safer sex practices, such as knowing your HIV status and the status of your partners, talking about your status with your partners, using latex or polyurethane condoms, and getting tested for other STIs.

  • How much does PrEP from Nurx cost?

    Consultation
    Anyone who requests a PrEP evaluation will be charged $30 for the medical consultation. This covers your online medical consultation and review of your lab test results, and includes unlimited messaging about PrEP with our medical team for three months until your next renewal— so you can ask questions about your lab tests or medication any time during that period. Each time your renewal for PrEP you will be charged $30 for the medical consultation. Please note that at this time, we do not submit claims to insurance for the medical consult fee.

    Medication
    If you have insurance, our team will bill your plan for the medication, and you’ll only be responsible for any copay. Please connect with your insurance company if you would like to learn more about your copay. If you are not using insurance, the medication price can vary. Note that 99% of our patients can access this medication for $0 with payment assistance programs.

    Non-Home Testing
    Before you begin PrEP you must get lab tests to confirm that you are HIV negative and have healthy kidneys. You are welcome to have your labs done at a local lab like LabCorp® or Quest®. Once you have submitted your request for PrEP, simply message us and tell us that you would like lab testing at a local lab. Pricing at local labs is dependent on your insurance coverage. We recommend calling your insurance company in advance to find out your preferred in-network laboratory.

    If you contact your insurance company to clarify your coverage for laboratory testing, we’d recommend asking them the following questions:

    • Do I have to use an in-network lab for lab testing?
    • If yes: What laboratories are covered?
    • Is your partner lab covered?
    • Do I have a deductible for lab testing?
    If your insurance company asks, tell them these are the tests that will be ordered for PrEP: HIV 4th generation antibody/antigen test, serum creatinine, hepatitis B surface antigen (all required), and (optionally) syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing (rectal swab, throat swab, urine collection).

  • Does Nurx accept insurance for PrEP?

    Yes, we accept most forms of private health insurance for medications, and many insurance plans cover PrEP. If you’d like to know if we accept your health insurance plan, please connect with our team at [email protected]. Please note that at this time, we do not submit claims to insurance for the medical consult fee.

    Starting and staying on PrEP requires lab work that may or may not be covered by your insurance. Our team can help you understand what your insurance will cover and what your out-of-pockets costs will be. If you don’t have insurance and are concerned about cost, please contact our team for more information and details on how to make PrEP affordable for you.

    Nurx does not accept any federal or state government insurance plans, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or any of their affiliated managed care plans, nor can Nurx service such patients. We recommend that you find a local provider in your community that participates in your government payer program.

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DR. NAVYA MYSORE, MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Meet your medical team

Navya Mysore, MD is the Medical Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services at Nurx. Dr. Mysore is a sexual health expert with a background in primary care who advises the Nurx medical team to provide the highest quality of care through telehealth.

†Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 200mg/300mg tablet, Rx only, reduces the risk of HIV infection and treats HIV. This drug may cause side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and headache. If you would like to learn more, see full prescribing information, here. You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
*Individual results may vary.
‡The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided here for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your provider.
◊Services not offered in every state. Medications prescribed only if clinically appropriate, based on completion of the required consultation.

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Not sure if this medication is right for you?

Connect with a Nurx provider for a personalized treatment recommendation.

Exceptional care at every step

At Nurx, we make it easy to get the expert healthcare you deserve. From schedules to health history, everybody is different—so we provide treatment and care that’s personalized to you. Through life’s cycles, changes, and transitions, we’re here to help you make informed choices about your health.

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