Duotemtric combines emtricitabine 200 mg with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg in one daily tablet. It is used to treat HIV as part of combination antiretroviral therapy, and to prevent HIV as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It must be taken every day.
What is Duotemtric?
Duotemtric contains two antiretroviral medicines:
- Emtricitabine 200 mg
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg
Both are nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). HIV is a retrovirus: to reproduce, it must copy its RNA into DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. These two medicines are decoys that resemble the building blocks the enzyme needs. When reverse transcriptase incorporates one, the DNA chain cannot be extended, and the copy fails.
This combination is a backbone — the pair of NRTIs that most HIV regimens are built on. It is not a complete treatment by itself. For treating HIV it is combined with a third medicine from a different class, most often dolutegravir; in South Africa that combination is available as a single tablet such as Acriptega or TLD.
The same two ingredients are sold as Truvada and several generics. It is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine.
What is Duotemtric commonly used for?
Treating HIV:
- As part of combination antiretroviral therapy, alongside a third agent from another class.
Preventing HIV:
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) — taken daily by an HIV-negative person at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. Taken consistently, it is highly effective.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), as part of a short course started urgently after a possible exposure.
Hepatitis B is also affected, since tenofovir is active against it — which matters greatly, and is covered below.
Two things are worth being direct about.
For treatment, daily adherence is the whole thing. HIV replicates rapidly, and gaps in treatment let it multiply and develop resistance to the medicines you are taking. Resistance is generally permanent and narrows future options. Taken consistently, modern antiretroviral therapy suppresses the virus to undetectable levels, restores immune function, and gives a normal life expectancy — and someone with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
For PrEP, it only works while you take it. It is not a vaccine and gives no lasting protection. It also protects against HIV alone — not other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy — so condoms remain relevant. Anyone on PrEP needs regular HIV testing, because taking these two medicines alone while unknowingly HIV-positive is a direct route to resistance.
How Duotemtric fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Role |
|---|---|---|
| NRTI backbone | Emtricitabine + tenofovir (Duotemtric), abacavir + lamivudine | The pair most regimens are built on |
| Integrase inhibitors | Dolutegravir, raltegravir | Usual third agent; in Acriptega |
| NNRTIs | Efavirenz, nevirapine, doravirine | Alternative third agent |
| Protease inhibitors | Lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir | Second-line and salvage regimens |
| Single-tablet regimens | Acriptega (TLD) | Complete treatment in one daily tablet |
See the HIV and antiviral medicines hub.
What to check before using Duotemtric
Take it once daily at the same time, with or without food. Set an alarm. Missed doses are the main threat to treatment working.
Be tested for hepatitis B before starting. This is the single most important check with this medicine. Tenofovir and emtricitabine both suppress hepatitis B, so someone with both infections is being treated for both without necessarily realising it. Stopping abruptly can cause a severe hepatitis B flare, which can be dangerous. If you have hepatitis B, this must be known before you start and before you ever stop.
Confirm your HIV status before starting PrEP, and test regularly while on it.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if:
- You have kidney disease, or any history of kidney problems. Tenofovir disoproxil affects the kidneys, and this is monitored.
- You have osteoporosis or a history of fractures — tenofovir disoproxil can reduce bone density.
- You have hepatitis B or C, or any liver disease.
- You are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- You take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or diclofenac regularly, or another medicine affecting the kidneys — this combination adds to kidney risk and is easy to overlook.
- You take any other medicine, supplement or traditional remedy. Interactions with antiretrovirals are common and consequential, so tell your HIV clinician about everything.
Expect monitoring — kidney function, viral load and CD4 count on treatment; kidney function and HIV testing on PrEP.
Follow the dispensing label exactly. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Do not stop without medical advice. Beyond the risk of resistance, if you have hepatitis B, stopping can trigger a serious flare. Any interruption needs to be planned with your clinician.
Never run out. Collect repeats before your supply ends. If travel, relocation or a clinic problem threatens a gap, raise it early — this is a common and solvable problem, and clinics would far rather help than see treatment interrupted.
Kidney effects. Tenofovir disoproxil can reduce kidney function, occasionally causing a condition affecting the kidney tubules. Report a marked change in urine output, unusual thirst, or muscle pain and weakness.
Bone density can decline, particularly in the first year.
Early side effects — nausea, headache, tiredness, diarrhoea — are common in the first weeks and usually settle. Speak to your clinician rather than stopping.
Lactic acidosis, though rare with these agents, is serious: deep or rapid breathing, severe nausea and vomiting, marked weakness, or unusual muscle pain need urgent attention.
If you struggle to take it daily, say so. Adherence difficulties are common, and clinics have practical support — reminders, different scheduling, counselling. Silence is what causes harm.
Seek urgent medical attention for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or severe abdominal pain; deep or rapid breathing with severe nausea; a significant reduction in urine; severe muscle pain or weakness; a rash with fever, blistering or facial swelling; or worsening symptoms after stopping the medicine.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Duotemtric used for? Treating HIV as part of combination antiretroviral therapy, and preventing HIV as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It contains emtricitabine and tenofovir.
Is it a complete HIV treatment on its own? No. It is the two-drug backbone and is combined with a third medicine from another class, often dolutegravir.
What happens if I miss a dose? Take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for the next one, and never double up. Repeated missed doses allow resistance to develop — tell your clinician if you are struggling.
Can I take it to prevent HIV? Yes, that is PrEP. It must be taken daily, you must be HIV-negative before starting, and you need regular testing while on it.
Why must I be tested for hepatitis B first? Both ingredients suppress hepatitis B. If you have it and stop this medicine abruptly, you can develop a severe and dangerous flare.
Does it protect against other infections? No. It protects against HIV only — not other sexually transmitted infections, and not pregnancy.