Emtriva and Depression

Depression appears to be a possible side effect of Emtriva. Clinical studies have shown that 9 percent of people taking Emtriva (along with two other HIV medications) reported depression as a side effect. However, it is difficult to determine if the depression was caused by Emtriva alone or by the other medications. Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of depression.

 

Is Depression an Emtriva Side Effect?

Emtriva® (emtricitabine) is a prescription HIV and AIDS medication. Depression appears to be a possible side effect of Emtriva. In clinical studies, depression was a common complaint reported by people taking Emtriva. This data comes from clinical trials that extensively studied Emtriva for the treatment of HIV or AIDS.
 

Understanding Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are designed to factor out as many variables as possible in order to understand whether the medicine is effective, and also to determine any possible side effects. During a study, some people are given the actual medication, while others are given a placebo (which looks like the actual medication, but does not contain any of the active ingredients). However, sometimes it is unethical to give people a placebo, such as when treating life-threatening conditions (like cancer, HIV, or AIDS). Therefore, the studies of Emtriva did not compare the medication to a placebo.
 
In clinical studies, depression was reported in 9 percent of people taking Emtriva (in combination with two other HIV medications). However, it is difficult to say with certainty that Emtriva causes depression, as these studies did not compare the medication to a placebo (and because Emtriva was combined with other HIV medications). Without knowing how often depression occurs in a similar group of people not taking Emtriva, it is not possible to evaluate if Emtriva actually increases the risk of depression.
 
(Emtriva and Depression Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;