emtricitabine/tenofovir vs ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
Side-by-side comparison of emtricitabine/tenofovir and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7.3 Hepatitis C Antiviral Agents Coadministration of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and HARVONI ® (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) has been shown to increase tenofovir exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In patients receiving TRUVADA concomitantly with HARVONI without an HIV-1 protease inhibitor/ritonavir or an HIV-1 protease inhibitor/cobicistat combination, monitor for adverse reactions associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. In patients receiving TRUVADA concomitantly with HARVONI and an HIV-1 protease inhibitor/ritonavir or an HIV-1 protease inhibitor/cobicistat combination,...
Recommendation: Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for any signs of side effects while you are on this combination.
Truvada, Descovy
Harvoni
Truvada is a medicine that contains two drugs, emtricitabine and tenofovir. It is used to treat HIV-1 infection and to prevent getting HIV-1.
Harvoni is a medicine that contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It is used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults and children 3 years and older.
Truvada is used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children who weigh at least 37 pounds. It must be used with other HIV medicines. Truvada can also be used to help prevent getting HIV-1 in adults who are at high risk. When used for prevention, it is called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and should be used with safer sex practices.
Harvoni treats chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6. It can be used if you don't have cirrhosis or if you have compensated cirrhosis. If you have genotype 1 with decompensated cirrhosis or are a liver transplant recipient with genotype 1 or 4, you will take Harvoni with another medicine called ribavirin.
Truvada contains two medicines that block HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This enzyme is needed for HIV to multiply. By blocking this enzyme, Truvada helps to lower the amount of HIV in your body and prevent HIV infection.
Harvoni contains two medicines that stop the hepatitis C virus from multiplying in your body. Ledipasvir blocks a protein called NS5A. Sofosbuvir blocks another protein called NS5B.
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Tiredness
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Feeling tired
- • Headache
- • Feeling weak
- • Nausea
- Drug Interaction 655
- Foetal Exposure During Pregnancy 621
- Anxiety 432
- Drug Resistance 431
- Virologic Failure 402
- Feeling tired 4,130
- Headache 3,706
- Nausea 1,240
- Diarrhea 913
- Hepatitis C 883
Truvada can cause serious side effects, including lactic acidosis and severe liver problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of these problems. If you have hepatitis B and stop taking Truvada, your hepatitis B may get worse. Your doctor will need to monitor you closely for several months if you stop taking Truvada. If you are using Truvada to prevent HIV, you must be tested to be sure you do not have HIV. If you take Truvada when you have HIV, the HIV virus can become resistant to the medicine.
Harvoni can cause Hepatitis B to become active again if you have had it in the past. This can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure and death. Your doctor will test you for Hepatitis B before you start Harvoni and monitor you during and after treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Truvada should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. If you are infected with HIV, you should not breastfeed because you could pass HIV to your baby.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking Harvoni. If Harvoni is taken with ribavirin, it is unsafe during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
How to Read This emtricitabine/tenofovir vs ledipasvir/sofosbuvir Comparison
emtricitabine/tenofovir is classified in the NRTI Combination (HIV PrEP) drug class, while ledipasvir/sofosbuvir sits within the NS5A/NS5B Inhibitor (HCV) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, emtricitabine/tenofovir has 2,541 submissions while ledipasvir/sofosbuvir has 10,872. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to using these drugs together can increase the amount of tenofovir that stays in your body. this can make side effects from the medication more likely to happen.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between emtricitabine/tenofovir and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.