Hetemcit is an antiretroviral tablet containing emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. It is used in South Africa both as part of HIV treatment, alongside a third antiretroviral, and on its own for prevention — as PrEP for people at ongoing risk, and as part of PEP after a possible exposure. Your clinic decides which applies.

What is Hetemcit?

Hetemcit is a fixed-dose combination: two antiretroviral medicines in a single tablet. It contains emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg, according to its South African approved package insert.

Both belong to a group called nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, usually shortened to NRTIs. They interfere with an enzyme HIV needs to copy itself, which stops the virus multiplying.

It is a Schedule 4 medicine, so prescription-only. The same combination is sold under several names in South Africa, including Temecit and the originator brand Truvada, and it also appears as two of the three ingredients inside larger combination tablets such as Acriptega.

That matters when you read about it. Information written about emtricitabine alone, or about tenofovir alone, describes only half of what you are taking.

What is Hetemcit commonly used for?

The same tablet is used for two quite different purposes, and which one applies to you is not something a web page can tell you.

As part of HIV treatment. Hetemcit is a backbone — two of the medicines in a combination regimen. It is taken alongside a third antiretroviral from a different class, commonly dolutegravir. Taken consistently, treatment suppresses the virus to undetectable levels, protects the immune system, and means the virus cannot be passed on sexually.

As pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Taken daily by someone who does not have HIV but is at ongoing risk, this combination substantially reduces the chance of acquiring it. PrEP is available through South African public clinics and is used alongside condoms rather than instead of them.

As part of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). After a possible exposure — a condom failure, sexual assault, or a needlestick injury — a short course can stop the virus establishing. PEP must start as soon as possible, ideally within hours and generally not beyond 72 hours. If that applies to you, go to a clinic or emergency department now rather than reading further.

Tenofovir is also active against hepatitis B, which is relevant to how the medicine is stopped.

How Hetemcit fits into this medicine category

Within HIV and antiviral medicines, Hetemcit is one of the most widely dispensed products in the country, because the emtricitabine-plus-tenofovir backbone appears in most first-line regimens.

The distinction worth holding on to is between a backbone and a complete regimen. HIV treatment needs medicines from more than one class working together — using a two-drug backbone alone as treatment allows resistance to develop. Products such as Acriptega and Duotemtric package the whole regimen into one tablet.

For prevention, the same two-drug combination is used on its own, which is why one product legitimately appears in both roles. You can see the full group on the HIV, antiviral and infectious disease medicines hub.

What to check before using Hetemcit

Check whether you have been given Hetemcit as your whole regimen or as part of one. If you are being treated for HIV, there should be a third medicine — either as a separate tablet or because you are on a three-in-one product. If that is unclear, ask your clinic before starting.

Tell your clinician if any of the following apply:

You have kidney problems, or risk factors for them. Tenofovir disoproxil can affect kidney function, and this is monitored with blood tests.
You have hepatitis B. This is important. Both ingredients are active against hepatitis B, and stopping them can cause a serious flare of that infection. Anyone with hepatitis B needs a specific plan before stopping.
You have bone thinning or osteoporosis. Tenofovir disoproxil can reduce bone mineral density.
You are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. This combination is widely used in pregnancy, but the decision belongs with your clinician.
You take other medicines, including anti-inflammatories, some antibiotics, tuberculosis treatment, and herbal products. St John’s wort in particular interferes with several antiretrovirals.

For PrEP, an HIV test is required before starting and repeated regularly, because taking a two-drug combination while unknowingly HIV-positive risks resistance.

Follow your clinic’s instructions on timing. This page does not set doses.

Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor

Take it every day, at roughly the same time. Consistency is what makes antiretrovirals work, for both treatment and prevention. Missed doses allow the virus to replicate, and repeated misses are the main route to drug resistance, which narrows future options.

Do not stop without advice, even if you feel completely well — and especially if you have hepatitis B.

Keep your monitoring appointments. Viral load confirms treatment is working, and kidney function tests catch problems early.

Expect some early side effects. Nausea, headache, tiredness and diarrhoea are common in the first weeks and usually settle. Report them rather than stopping.

Tell every prescriber what you take. Interactions matter, and the list includes some ordinary over-the-counter medicines.

Seek medical advice promptly for persistent nausea and vomiting, unusual muscle pain or weakness, reduced or unusually frequent urination, breathlessness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Contact your clinic rather than stopping on your own.

Treatment and prevention are available free through South African public clinics.

Related medicine guides

Frequently asked questions

Is Hetemcit used for HIV treatment or for prevention? Both, depending on the person. As treatment it is a backbone taken with a third antiretroviral. For prevention it is used on its own as PrEP, or as part of PEP after an exposure. Your clinic decides which applies.

Can Hetemcit alone treat HIV? No. HIV treatment needs medicines from more than one class. Taking a two-drug backbone alone as treatment risks resistance.

How quickly must PEP start after a possible exposure? As soon as possible — ideally within hours, and generally not beyond 72 hours. Effectiveness falls sharply with delay. Go to a clinic or emergency department immediately.

What happens if I miss a dose? Take it when you remember unless the next is nearly due; do not double up. Tell your clinic if misses are becoming frequent, because that affects both protection and resistance.

Does it protect against other sexually transmitted infections? No. It acts on HIV only. Condoms remain necessary for other infections and for pregnancy prevention.

Why does my tablet have one name but the leaflet lists two ingredients? Because it is a fixed-dose combination — two antiretrovirals in one tablet, which reduces how many pills you take.

What Is Hetemcit Used For?