Lamivudine
Severe
Database
.
Source: DDInter
Drug reference
Emtricitabine
Antiretroviral
Antiretroviral
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
7 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
(see Useful
FDA category + note
Top interactionssee all 7 →
- LamivudineSevereDatabaseDDInter
- LeflunomideSevereDatabaseDDInter
- LomitapideSevereDatabaseDDInter
- MipomersenSevereDatabaseDDInter
Mechanism
Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It acts by inhibiting the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is essential for HIV replication.
Indications
HIV infectionChronic hepatitis B (in patients co-infected with HIV)HIV infection in adults, children, and infants, in combination with other antiretroviral agentsHIV preexposure prophylaxis (in combination with tenofovir) in adults at high risk of acquiring the infection
Dosing
- Adult
- is given by mouth for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, in double therapy with peginterferon alfa, interferon alfa, or sofosbuvir, or in triple therapy with peginterferon alfa and one protease inhibitor or sofosbuvir. Ribavirin is also effective in Lassa fever [unlicensed indication].…
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
10
Bioavailability
93%
Protein binding
<4%
Metabolism
13%
Excretion
86% (renal, unchanged)
Side effects
Common
hyperpigmentation of the skin
Serious
- rebound HBV replication
- exacerbation of hepatitis
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
(see Useful
Drug interactions
Leflunomide
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Lomitapide
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Mipomersen
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Pexidartinib
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Teriflunomide
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Zalcitabine
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
5 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interactions hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.
Related guidelines
Hepatitis B — chronic infection
INASL · Gastroenterology · 2023
Hepatitis B — chronic infection
EASL · Gastroenterology · 2025
Hepatitis B — chronic infection
WHO · Hepatology · 2025
Hepatitis C — chronic infection
EASL · Gastroenterology · 2020
Antiretroviral therapy for HIV
NACO · Infectious Diseases · 2018
Other Antiretroviral drugs
Ask House about Emtricitabine
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Textbook-sourced·Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e, Harrison 22e, BNF·Updated: 2026-05-13