Emtricitabine News and Research

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Emtricitabine, also known as Emtriva or FTC, is a type of medicine called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). NRTIs block reverse transcriptase, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself. Emtricitabine in capsule form was approved by the FDA on July 2, 2003, for use with other antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection in adults. Emtricitabine oral solution was approved by the FDA on September 28, 2005, and is now approved for use with other anti-HIV drugs in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients older than 3 months of age. This medicine does not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.

Long-acting HIV prevention tools could help close the gap before a vaccine arrives

A review of non-vaccine HIV interventions highlights the strong preventive effects of long-acting PrEP, sustained ART, U=U, vertical transmission programs, and voluntary medical male circumcision. Gene editing and multispecific antibodies may expand future options, but safety, cost, access, adherence, and implementation barriers remain.

5 Aug 2026

Semaglutide, omega-3s and diet shift epigenetic aging clocks in human studies

A systematic review identified 41 human studies evaluating interventions targeting next-generation DNA methylation-based aging clocks. Pharmaceutical, lifestyle, supplement, clinical, and psychosocial interventions shifted some clock outputs, but these biomarkers remain investigational rather than proven clinical surrogates.

16 Jun 2026

To knock down health-system hurdles between you and HIV prevention, try these 6 things

A couple of years ago, Matthew Hurley got the kind of text people fear.

5 Jan 2026

Twice-yearly injection could transform HIV prevention efforts

Preventative therapies for HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1) have made leaps and bounds over the past decade. A once-daily pill named PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, has been a stalwart for HIV prevention-but only if people take it consistently and can routinely access a pharmacy.

3 Jul 2025

Integrated HIV prevention strategy increases PrEP adherence among transgender women

Researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) presented results from HPTN 091 ("I Am Study") at the HIVR4P 2024 conference in Lima, Peru. The study examined the acceptability and feasibility of an integrated multicomponent strategy to enhance daily oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence among transgender women in a randomized immediate versus deferred design.

12 Oct 2024

Long-acting injectable CAB-LA safe for HIV PrEP during pregnancy, study finds

Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) was safe and well tolerated as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and during pregnancy in the follow-up phase of a global study among cisgender women.

23 Jul 2024

Vaginal ring and oral PrEP found to be safe for HIV prevention among pregnant cisgender women

The monthly dapivirine vaginal ring and daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine were each found to be safe for HIV prevention among cisgender women who started using one of them in their second trimester of pregnancy, according to findings presented today at the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Denver.

5 Mar 2024

New early phase study evaluates “on-demand” HIV prevention method for women

A fast-dissolving vaginal insert that women would use at or around the time of sex as an "on-demand" HIV prevention method is being evaluated in a new early phase study being conducted by MATRIX, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project focused on the early research and development of innovative HIV prevention products for women.

7 Dec 2023

Major UK study finds high demand and efficacy for HIV PrEP among sexual health service attendees

HIV PrEP requirement, duration, uptake, and usage among sexual health services (SHS) attendees in England.

4 Dec 2023

Comparing HIV PrEP medications: Study explores hypertension risk in adults on TAF vs. TDF

The risk of hypertension and statin initiation in adults starting Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure prophylaxis.

13 Sep 2023

Study reveals substantial gap in PrEP access in more than one-third of New England colleges and universities

Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), accounted for 80% of new HIV infections among youth ages 13–24 in 2018 and represents a priority population for HIV prevention.

24 Jul 2023

The decision-making process for the launch of trials for COVID-19 repurposed antivirals

Researchers reviewed the decision-making process for performing randomized clinical trials for three drugs under consideration for repurposing for COVID-19 treatment: remdesivir, molnupiravir, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

30 Mar 2023

Two newer simplified HIV treatment options found to be at least as effective as the standard of care

Two newer simplified treatment options are at least as effective as current approaches, according to the results of a world-first international clinical trial into second-line HIV therapy led by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney and presented today at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Seattle.

23 Feb 2023

Use of dapivirine vaginal ring during third trimester of pregnancy poses no safety concerns

A vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug dapivirine posed no safety concerns when used in the third trimester of pregnancy, according to results to date from the first study of the dapivirine ring during pregnancy and one of only a few studies of an HIV prevention product in pregnant cisgender women.

20 Feb 2023

Study reports two cases of ocular MPox in HIV-infected patients

Researchers review the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular Mpox syndrome in men living with HIV infection.

7 Feb 2023

Monkeypox infection in a smallpox-vaccinated patient

In a recent study published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, researchers at Madigan Army Medical Center assessed the characteristics of monkeypox infection in a patient vaccinated against smallpox.

20 Sep 2022

Monkeypox virus infection in an immunocompromised patient

Researchers assessed the manifestations of the monkeypox infection in an immunocompromised patient.

19 Sep 2022

FDA approval of long-acting injectable drug marks a vital expansion of HIV prevention options

Yesterday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its first approval of a long-acting HIV prevention medication. Developed by ViiV Healthcare, the medicine is long-acting cabotegravir injected once every two months.

21 Dec 2021

Study: Adolescent girls and young women can and will use HIV prevention products with consistency

Adolescent girls and young women can and will use HIV prevention products with consistency, according to interim results of a study of two different methods: daily use of the antiretroviral (ARV) tablet Truvada as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring, a new HIV prevention product currently under regulatory review in several countries.

15 Jul 2021

Facets of SARS-CoV-2 infection and animal models

A new study in the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology discusses the ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome of the virus, and the mechanisms by which it establishes infection within the host cell. The researchers also summarize the development of animal models of COVID-19, which will both help understand the clinical features of the illness, and indicate new approaches for the treatment of the infection.

21 May 2021