Emtriva
® (
emtricitabine) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of
AIDS and
HIV. It is approved for use only in combination with other HIV medications.
(Click Emtriva Uses for more information on what Emtriva is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Emtriva is made by Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Emtriva is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). NRTI medications work by blocking a process that the HIV virus needs in order to multiply.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. Like other viruses, HIV must use a person's own cells to reproduce. However, HIV is a little different than other viruses because it must first convert its genetic material from RNA to DNA. It is the DNA genes that allow HIV to multiply.
HIV converts its genetic material by using a special protein called the reverse transcriptase enzyme. To create DNA, this enzyme uses several different protein building blocks.
Emtriva works by tricking reverse transcriptase into thinking it is one of these protein building blocks. However, it is just different enough that when used to create DNA, Emtriva actually stops the DNA from being made. Without DNA, HIV cannot multiply.
Emtriva is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Although it can help stop HIV from infecting uninfected cells in the body, it does not help cells that have already been infected with the virus.
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