TRUVADA as a PrEP

The ever controversial ARV medication TRUVADA has just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people who are at risk of catching HIV.

What TRUVADA looks like

 Tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada) a product of Gilead Sciences, is a fixed-dose combination of two antiretroviral drugs used for the treatment of HIV. It consists of 300 milligrams of tenofovir and 200 milligrams of emtricitabine. By combining the two agents into one tablet, it reduces the pill burden and increases compliance with antiretroviral therapy.

The drug has been examined for use as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV infection. A Cochrane review found that both tenofovir alone, as well as the tenofovir/emtricitabine combination, significantly decreased the risk of contracting HIV. The Food and Drug Administration approved it for prophylactic use on July 16, 2012. Truvada was developed by Gilead Sciences and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2004.

In certain studies, the drug has demonstrated rare side effects including: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite and diarrhea, liver and kidney toxicity and loss of bone density.

HOWEVER there are drawbacks to this kind of medication.
Since it is an ARV the drug needs to be taken at a specific time of the day.
This would encourage unsafe sex practices since they would be relying on the drug.
This drugs is expensive and the government might not have enough budget to purchase it.
This drug can pose serious side effects and considering it is given to healthy individuals.

IN THE END, 

PREVENTION IS STILL BETTER THAN CURE

Healthcare Workers can provide options for the people who want to access the drug but also they need to remind them that still the safe way to avoid HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infection is to avoid doing risky behaviors and follow the ABC's of PREVENTION.

Abstinence

Be faithful / Mutual Monogamous Relationship between non-infected partners

Correct & Consistent Condom Use 

Don’t use shared needles or syringes / abuse drugs and alcohol 

Education / Early Detection & Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Again This is JaKe Positive. BE SAFE! +)



SOURCE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenofovir/emtricitabine