Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Use of Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves the use of antiretroviral medication in concert with safer sex practices to significantly reduce the risk of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus infection. In October 2019, daily use of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (FTC/TAF) 200 mg/25 mg was approved as a newer agent for PrEP to prevent HIV-1 infection in at-risk adults and adolescents. The purpose of this article is to: 1) provide an overview of the FTC/TAF regimen and its safety and efficacy profiles, 2) discuss indications and contraindications of FTC/TAF as PrEP, 3) provide a focused comparison of FTC/TDF with FTC/TAF, and 4) examine issues surrounding cost and accessibility in the United States.