Form fixed-dose oral tablet, 200 mg / 245 mg · Frequency usually once daily · Status prescription only
How it works
Both medicines in the combination block reverse transcriptase, an enzyme HIV needs to copy its genetic material after entering a cell.Established PrEP option
Authorised in the EU to reduce sexually acquired HIV risk alongside safer-sex practices.
Monitoring built in
HIV status, kidney function, hepatitis B and STI screening are checked before and during care.
Schedule matched to the person
Daily dosing is common; event-based dosing is only appropriate for specific people and situations.
A doctor-defined regimen
Daily PrEP commonly uses one tablet per day. The doctor decides whether daily dosing or another evidence-based schedule is appropriate for you, and confirms when protection can be relied on. The indication, regimen and follow-up depend on your history and country guidance — prescribing is never automatic.1
Before starting
Negative HIV test and baseline checks.
2
During PrEP
Take the agreed schedule consistently.
3
Follow-up
Repeat HIV, kidney and STI checks.
Safety, in full
Emtricitabine/tenofovir is an effective medicine — and like any medicine it carries risks. Your doctor screens for all of this before prescribing.Common side effects
Headache, nausea, diarrhoea and tiredness can occur.Interactions and checks
Not suitable if:- HIV infection has not been excluded with appropriate testing
- Kidney function or interacting treatment makes tenofovir disoproxil unsuitable
When to seek help
For severe, sudden or unexpected symptoms, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. Then let your doctor know through your account chat.How Hi-Doctor handles it
An EU-licensed doctor reads your questionnaire and answers within 24 hours. If the doctor decides it is not safe to prescribe, the consultation fee is refunded in full. Follow-up happens in the private chat inside your account, under GDPR — no WhatsApp, no SMS. See pricing for how the consultation fee works; medication, where prescribed, is paid separately at the pharmacy. For the day-to-day guide to taking this medicine, see the emtricitabine/tenofovir PrEP guide. For background on the condition it addresses, see HIV PrEP and Hi-Doctor’s safety approach.Start a consultation
Sexual health consultation
Answer the sexual health questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it.
They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose —
and declining is a normal outcome. See what it costs
and how the review works.