What did clinical studies show about Truvada as preexposure prophylaxis for HIV?

Clinical studies have demonstrated that Truvada—a combination of the antiretroviral drugs tenofovir and emtricitabine—is highly effective as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV when taken consistently.12

Research conducted in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Botswana revealed that Truvada reduced the risk of sexually acquired HIV infection by between 63 and 73 percent among study participants. More recent data indicates that when the medication is taken with high adherence, it can reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV infection by approximately 99 percent. For individuals who inject drugs, studies have shown a 74 percent reduction in HIV infection risk.21

Following these clinical investigations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada in 2012 as the first drug specifically for the prevention of HIV transmission. It is important to note that while highly effective against HIV, Truvada does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis.12