Treatment of HIV-1 Infection

Descovy is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and older with body weight at least 35 kg) infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‑1) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).

HIV-1 Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Descovy is indicated in combination with safer sex practices for pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents at high risk..

Individuals must have a negative HIV-1 test immediately prior to initiating Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP (see section 4.4).

Posology

Treatment of HIV-1 Infection

Therapy should be initiated by a physician experienced in the management of HIV infection.

Descovy should be administered as shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Dose of Descovy according to third agent in the HIV treatment regimen

¹     Descovy 200/10 mg in combination with darunavir 800 mg and cobicistat 150 mg, administered as a fixed-dose combination tablet, was studied in treatment- naive subjects, see section 5.1.

HIV-1 PrEP

The dosage of DESCOVY for HIV-1 PrEP is one tablet (containing 200 mg of emtricitabine and 25 mg of tenofovir alafenamide) once daily taken orally with or without food in HIV-1 uninfected:

•          adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg and with a creatinine clearance greater than or equal to 30 mL per minute; or

•          adults with creatinine clearance below 15 mL per minute who are receiving chronic haemodialysis. On days of haemodialysis, administer the daily dose of DESCOVY after completion of haemodialysis treatment (see sections 4.1 and 4.4).

Missed doses

If  an individual misses a dose of Descovy within 18 hours of the time it is usually taken, the individual should take Descovy as soon as possible and resume the normal dosing schedule.  If an individual misses a dose of Descovy by more than 18 hours, the individual should not take the missed dose and simply resume the usual dosing schedule.

If the individual vomits within 1 hour of taking Descovy another tablet should be taken.

Elderly

No dose adjustment of Descovy is required in elderly individuals (see sections 5.1 and 5.2).

Renal impairment

No dose adjustment of Descovy is required in adults or adolescents (aged at least 12 years and of at least 35 kg body weight) with estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 30 mL/min. Descovy should be discontinued in individuals with estimated CrCl that declines below 30 mL/min during treatment (see section 5.2).

No dose adjustment of Descovy is required in adults with end stage renal disease (estimated CrCl < 15 mL/min) on chronic haemodialysis; however, Descovy should generally be avoided but may be used in these individuals if the potential benefits are considered to outweigh the potential risks (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).  On days of haemodialysis, Descovy should be administered after completion of haemodialysis treatment.

Descovy should be avoided in individuals with estimated CrCl ≥ 15 mL/min and < 30 mL/min, or < 15 mL/min who are not on chronic haemodialysis, as the safety of Descovy has not been established in these populations.

No data are available to make dose recommendations in children less than 18 years with end stage renal disease.

Hepatic impairment

No dose adjustment of Descovy is required in individuals with hepatic impairment.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Descovy in children younger than 12 years of age, or weighing < 35 kg, have not yet been established.  No data are available.

Method of administration

Oral use.

Descovy should be taken once daily with or without food (see section 5.2).  It is recommended that the film‑coated tablet is not chewed or crushed due to the bitter taste.

For patients who are unable to swallow the tablet whole, the tablet may be split in half and both halves taken one after the other, ensuring that the full dose is taken immediately.

Individuals infected with hepatitis B or C virus

Individuals with chronic hepatitis B or C treated with antiretroviral therapy are at an increased risk for severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse reactions.

The safety and efficacy of Descovy in Individuals co‑infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have not been established.

Tenofovir alafenamide is active against hepatitis B virus (HBV).  Discontinuation of Descovy therapy in Individuals infected with HBV may be associated with severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis.  Individuals infected with HBV who discontinue Descovy should be closely monitored with both clinical and laboratory follow‑up for at least several months after stopping treatment. If appropriate, anti-HBV therapy may be warranted, especially in individuals with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis, since post-treatment exacerbation of hepatitis may lead to hepatic decompensation and liver failure. HBV-uninfected individuals should be offered vaccination.

Comprehensive management to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV-1, and development of HIV-1 resistance when Descovy is used for HIV-1 PrEP

Use Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP to reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy, including adherence to daily administration and safer sex practices, including condoms, to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The time from initiation of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP to maximal protection against HIV-1 infection is unknown.

Risk for HIV-1 acquisition includes behavioural, biological, or epidemiologic factors including but not limited to condomless sex, past or current STIs, self-identified HIV risk, having sexual partners of unknown HIV-1 viremic status, or sexual activity in a high prevalence area or network.

Counsel individuals on the use of other prevention measures (e.g., consistent and correct condom use, knowledge of partner(s)’ HIV-1 status, including viral suppression status, regular testing for STIs that can facilitate HIV-1 transmission). Inform uninfected individuals about and support their efforts in reducing sexual risk behaviour.

Use Descovy to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV-1 only in individuals confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. HIV-1 resistance substitutions may emerge in individuals with undetected HIV-1 infection who are taking only Descovy, because Descovy alone does not constitute a complete regimen for HIV-1 treatment (see section 5.1); therefore, care should be taken to minimize the risk of initiating or continuing Descovy before confirming the individual is HIV-1 negative.

•           Some HIV-1 tests only detect anti-HIV antibodies and may not identify HIV-1 during the acute stage of infection. Prior to initiating Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP, ask seronegative individuals about recent (in past month) potential exposure events (e.g., condomless sex or condom breaking during sex with a partner of unknown HIV-1 status or unknown viremic status, or a recent STI), and evaluate for current or recent signs or symptoms consistent with acute HIV-1 infection (e.g., fever, fatigue, myalgia, skin rash).

•           If recent (<1 month) exposures to HIV-1 are suspected or clinical symptoms consistent with acute HIV-1 infection are present, use an approved test as an aid in the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection.

While using Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP, HIV-1 testing should be repeated at least every 3 months, and upon diagnosis of any other STIs.

•           If an HIV-1 test indicates possible HIV-1 infection, or if symptoms consistent with acute HIV-1 infection develop following a potential exposure event, convert the HIV-1 PrEP regimen to an HIV treatment regimen until negative infection status is confirmed using an approved test as an aid in the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection.

Counsel HIV-1 uninfected individuals to strictly adhere to the once daily Descovy dosing schedule. The effectiveness of Descovy in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV-1 is strongly correlated with adherence, as demonstrated by measurable drug levels in a clinical trial of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP. Some individuals, such as adolescents, may benefit from more frequent visits and counselling to support adherence (see section 5.1).

Liver disease

The safety and efficacy of Descovy in individuals with significant underlying liver disorders have not been established (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Individuals with pre‑existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis, have an increased frequency of liver function abnormalities during combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) and should be monitored according to standard practice.  If there is evidence of worsening liver disease in such individuals, interruption or discontinuation of treatment must be considered.

Weight and metabolic parameters

An increase in weight and in levels of blood lipids and glucose may occur during antiretroviral therapy.  Such changes may in part be linked to disease control and life style.  For lipids, there is in some cases evidence for a treatment effect, while for weight gain there is no strong evidence relating this to any particular treatment.  For monitoring of blood lipids and glucose reference is made to established HIV treatment guidelines.  Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate.

Mitochondrial dysfunction following exposure in utero

Nucleos(t)ide analogues may impact mitochondrial function to a variable degree, which is most pronounced with stavudine, didanosine and zidovudine.  There have been reports of mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV negative infants exposed in utero and/or postnatally to nucleoside analogues; these have predominantly concerned treatment with regimens containing zidovudine.  The main adverse reactions reported are haematological disorders (anaemia, neutropenia) and metabolic disorders (hyperlactatemia, hyperlipasemia).  These events have often been transitory.  Late onset neurological disorders have been reported rarely (hypertonia, convulsion, abnormal behaviour).  Whether such neurological disorders are transient or permanent is currently unknown.  These findings should be considered for any child exposed in utero to nucleos(t)ide analogues, who present with severe clinical findings of unknown aetiology, particularly neurologic findings.  These findings do not affect current national recommendations to use antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission of HIV.

Immune Reactivation Syndrome

In HIV infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of institution of CART, an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic pathogens may arise and cause serious clinical conditions, or aggravation of symptoms.  Typically, such reactions have been observed within the first few weeks or months of initiation of CART.  Relevant examples include cytomegalovirus retinitis, generalised and/or focal mycobacterial infections, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.  Any inflammatory symptoms should be evaluated and treatment instituted when necessary.

Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease and autoimmune hepatitis) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reactivation; however, the reported time to onset is more variable, and these events can occur many months after initiation of treatment.

Patients with HIV‑1 harbouring mutations

Descovy should be avoided in antiretroviral-experienced patients with HIV‑1 harbouring the K65R mutation (see section 5.1).

Triple nucleoside therapy

There have been reports of a high rate of virological failure and of emergence of resistance at an early stage in HIV-infected patients when tenofovir disoproxil was combined with lamivudine and abacavir as well as with lamivudine and didanosine as a once daily regimen.  Therefore, the same problems may be seen if Descovy is administered with a third nucleoside analogue.

Opportunistic infections

HIV-infected patients receiving Descovy or any other antiretroviral therapy may continue to develop opportunistic infections and other complications of HIV infection, and, therefore, should remain under close clinical observation by physicians experienced in the treatment of patients with HIV associated diseases.

Osteonecrosis

Although the aetiology is considered to be multifactorial (including corticosteroid use, alcohol consumption, severe immunosuppression, higher body mass index), cases of osteonecrosis have been reported particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease and/or long‑term exposure to CART.  Patients should be advised to seek medical advice if they experience joint aches and pain, joint stiffness or difficulty in movement.

Nephrotoxicity

Post-marketing cases of renal impairment, including acute renal failure and proximal renal tubulopathy have been reported with tenofovir alafenamide-containing products.  A potential risk of nephrotoxicity resulting from chronic exposure to low levels of tenofovir due to dosing with tenofovir alafenamide cannot be excluded (see section 5.3).

It is recommended that renal function is assessed in all individuals prior to, or when initiating, therapy with Descovy and that it is also monitored during therapy in all individuals as clinically appropriate.  In individuals who develop clinically significant decreases in renal function, or evidence of proximal renal tubulopathy, discontinuation of Descovy should be considered.

Patients with end stage renal disease on chronic haemodialysis

Descovy should generally be avoided, but may be used in adults with end stage renal disease (estimated CrCl < 15 mL/min) on chronic haemodialysis if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks (see section 4.2).  In a study of emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir + cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet (E/C/F/TAF) in HIV-1 infected adults with end stage renal disease (estimated CrCl < 15 mL/min) on chronic haemodialysis, efficacy was maintained through 48 weeks but emtricitabine exposure was significantly higher than in patients with normal renal function.  Although there were no new safety issues identified, the implications of increased emtricitabine exposure remain uncertain (see sections 4.8 and 5.2).

Co‑administration of other medicinal products

The co‑administration of Descovy is not recommended with certain anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin), antimycobacterials (e.g., rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine), St. John’s wort and HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) other than atazanavir, lopinavir and darunavir (see section 4.5).

Descovy should not be administered concomitantly with medicinal products containing tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil, emtricitabine, lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil.

Excipients

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium‑free’.

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Descovy should not be administered concomitantly with medicinal products containing tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil, emtricitabine, lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil.

Emtricitabine

In vitro and clinical pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction studies have shown that the potential for CYP‑mediated interactions involving emtricitabine with other medicinal products is low.  Co‑administration of emtricitabine with medicinal products that are eliminated by active tubular secretion may increase concentrations of emtricitabine, and/or the co‑administered medicinal product.  Medicinal products that decrease renal function may increase concentrations of emtricitabine.

Tenofovir alafenamide

Tenofovir alafenamide is transported by P‑glycoprotein (P‑gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP).  Medicinal products that strongly affect P‑gp and BCRP activity may lead to changes in tenofovir alafenamide absorption.  Medicinal products that induce P‑gp activity (e.g., rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital) are expected to decrease the absorption of tenofovir alafenamide, resulting in decreased plasma concentration of tenofovir alafenamide, which may lead to loss of therapeutic effect of Descovy and development of resistance.  Co‑administration of Descovy with other medicinal products that inhibit P‑gp and BCRP activity (e.g., cobicistat, ritonavir, ciclosporin) is expected to increase the absorption and plasma concentration of tenofovir alafenamide.  Based on data from an in vitro study, co‑administration of tenofovir alafenamide and xanthine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., febuxostat) is not expected to increase systemic exposure to tenofovir in vivo.

Tenofovir alafenamide is not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP2D6 in vitro.  It is not an inhibitor or inducer of CYP3A in vivo.  Tenofovir alafenamide is a substrate of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 in vitro.  The distribution of tenofovir alafenamide in the body may be affected by the activity of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3.

Other interactions

Tenofovir alafenamide is not an inhibitor of human uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 in vitro.  It is not known whether tenofovir alafenamide is an inhibitor of other UGT enzymes.  Emtricitabine did not inhibit the glucuronidation reaction of a non-specific UGT substrate in vitro.

Interactions between the components of Descovy and potential co‑administered medicinal products are listed in Table 2 (increase is indicated as “↑”, decrease as “↓”, no change as “↔”).  The interactions described are based on studies conducted with Descovy, or the components of Descovy as individual agents and/or in combination, or are potential drug-drug interactions that may occur with Descovy.

Table 2: Interactions between the individual components of Descovy and other medicinal products

¹        When doses are provided, they are the doses used in clinical drug-drug interaction studies.        

²     When data are available from drug-drug interaction studies.

³     Study conducted with elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fixed-dose combination tablet.

⁴     Study conducted with emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide fixed-dose combination tablet.

⁵     Study conducted with Descovy.

⁶     Emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide was taken with food in this study.

⁷     Study conducted with additional voxilaprevir 100 mg to achieve voxilaprevir exposurers expected in HCV-infected patients.

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Descovy or its components in pregnant women.  There are no or limited data (less than 300 pregnancy outcomes) from the use of tenofovir alafenamide in pregnant women.  However, a large amount of data on pregnant women (more than 1,000 exposed outcomes) indicate no malformative nor foetal/neonatal toxicity associated with emtricitabine.

Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects of emtricitabine with respect to fertility parameters, pregnancy, foetal development, parturition or postnatal development.  Studies of tenofovir alafenamide in animals have shown no evidence of harmful effects on fertility parameters, pregnancy, or foetal development (see section 5.3).

Descovy should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to  the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether tenofovir alafenamide is excreted in human milk.  Emtricitabine is excreted in human milk.  In animal studies it has been shown that tenofovir is excreted in milk.

There is insufficient information on the effects of emtricitabine and tenofovir in newborns/infants.  Therefore, Descovy should not be used during breast-feeding.

In order to avoid transmission of HIV to the infant it is recommended that women living with HIV do not breast-feed their infants.

Fertility

There are no data on fertility from the use of Descovy in humans.  In animal studies there were no effects of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide on mating or fertility parameters (see section 5.3).

Descovy may have minor influence on the ablitity to drive and use machines. Individuals should be informed that dizziness has been reported during treatment with Descovy.

Summary of the safety profile

Assessment of adverse reactions is based on safety data from across all Phase 2 and 3 studies in which HIV‑1 infected patients received medicinal products containing emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide and from post-marketing experience.  In clinical studies of treatment-naïve adult patients receiving emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide with elvitegravir and cobicistat as the fixed-dose combination tablet elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide (as fumarate) 10 mg (E/C/F/TAF) through 144 weeks, the most frequently reported adverse reactions were diarrhoea (7%), nausea (11%), and headache (6%).

Tabulated summary of adverse reactions

The adverse reactions in Table 3 are listed by system organ class and frequency.  Frequencies are defined as follows: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10) and uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100).

Table 3: Tabulated list of adverse reactions¹

¹        With the exception of angioedema, anaemia and urticaria (see footnotes 2, 3 and 4), all adverse reactions were identified from clinical studies of F/TAF containing products.  The frequencies were derived from Phase 3 E/C/F/TAF clinical studies in 866 treatment-naïve adult patients through 144 weeks of treatment (GS‑US‑292‑0104 and GS‑US‑292‑0111).

²     This adverse reaction was not observed in the clinical studies of F/TAF-containing products but identified from clinical studies or post‑marketing experience for emtricitabine when used with other antiretrovirals.

³     This adverse reaction was identified through post-marketing surveillance for emtricitabine-containing products.

⁴       This adverse reaction was identified through post-marketing surveillance for tenofovir alafenamide-containing products.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Immune Reactivation Syndrome

In HIV infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of initiation of CART, an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic infections may arise.  Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease and autoimmune hepatitis) have also been reported; however, the reported time to onset is more variable, and these events can occur many months after initiation of treatment (see section 4.4).

Osteonecrosis

Cases of osteonecrosis have been reported, particularly in patients with generally acknowledged risk factors, advanced HIV disease or long‑term exposure to CART.  The frequency of this is unknown (see section 4.4).

Changes in lipid laboratory tests

In studies in treatment- naïve patients, increases from baseline were observed in both the tenofovir alafenamide fumarate and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate containing treatment groups for the fasting lipid parameters total cholesterol, direct low‑density lipoprotein (LDL)‑ and high‑density lipoprotein (HDL)‑cholesterol, and triglycerides at Week 144.  The median increase from baseline for those parameters was greater in the E/C/F/TAF group compared with the elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil (as fumarate) 245 mg (E/C/F/TDF) group at Week 144 (p < 0.001 for the difference between treatment groups for fasting total cholesterol, direct LDL‑ and HDL‑cholesterol, and triglycerides).  The median (Q1, Q3) change from baseline in total cholesterol to HDL‑cholesterol ratio at Week 144 was 0.2 (‑0.3, 0.7) in the E/C/F/TAF group and 0.1 (‑0.4, 0.6) in the E/C/F/TDF group (p = 0.006 for the difference between treatment groups).

In a study of virologically suppressed patients switching from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to Descovy while maintaining the third antiretroviral agent (Study GS‑US‑311‑1089), increases from baseline were observed in the fasting lipid parameters total cholesterol, direct LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the Descovy arm compared with little change in the emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate arm (p ≤ 0.009 for the difference between groups in changes from baseline).  There was little change from baseline in median fasting values for HDL cholesterol and glucose, or in the fasting total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio in either treatment arm at Week 96.  None of the changes was considered clinically relevant.

In a study of virologically suppressed adult patients switching from abacavir/lamivudine to Descovy while maintaining the third antiretroviral agent (Study GS‑US‑311‑1717), there were minimal changes in lipid parameters.

Metabolic parameters

Weight and levels of blood lipids and glucose may increase during antiretroviral therapy (see section 4.4).

Paediatric population

The safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide was evaluated through 48 weeks in an open-label clinical study (GS‑US‑292‑0106) in which HIV‑1 infected, treatment-naïve paediatric patients aged 12 to < 18 years received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet.  The safety profile of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with elvitegravir and cobicistat in 50 adolescent patients was similar to that in adults (see section 5.1).

Other special populations 

Patients with renal impairment

The safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide was evaluated through 144 weeks in an open-label clinical study (GS‑US‑292‑0112) in which 248 HIV‑1 infected patients who were either treatment-naïve (n = 6) or virologically suppressed (n = 242) with mild to moderate renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate by Cockcroft‑Gault method [eGFR_CG]: 30‑69 mL/min) received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet.  The safety profile in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment was similar to that in patients with normal renal function (see section 5.1).

The safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide was evaluated through 48 weeks in a single arm, open‑label clinical study (GS‑US‑292‑1825) in which 55 virologically suppressed HIV‑1 infected patients with end stage renal disease (eGFR_CG < 15 mL/min) on chronic haemodialysis received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet.  There were no new safety issues identified in patients with end stage renal disease on chronic haemodialysis receiving emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet (see section 5.2).

Patients co‑infected with HIV and HBV

The safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide [E/C/F/TAF]) was evaluated in 72 HIV/HBV co‑infected patients receiving treatment for HIV in an open-label clinical study (GS‑US‑292‑1249), through Week 48, in which patients were switched from another antiretroviral regimen (which included tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF] in 69 of 72 patients) to E/C/F/TAF.  Based on these limited data, the safety profile of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet, in patients with HIV/HBV co‑infection, was similar to that in patients with HIV‑1 monoinfection (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important.  It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.  Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system.

To report any side effect(s):

Saudi Arabia:

If overdose occurs the individual must be monitored for evidence of toxicity (see section 4.8).  Treatment of overdose with Descovy consists of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs as well as observation of the clinical status of the individual.

Emtricitabine can be removed by haemodialysis, which removes approximately 30% of the emtricitabine dose over a 3 hour dialysis period starting within 1.5 hours of emtricitabine dosing.  Tenofovir is efficiently removed by haemodialysis with an extraction coefficient of approximately 54%.  It is not known whether emtricitabine or tenofovir can be removed by peritoneal dialysis.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antiviral for systemic use; antivirals for treatment of HIV infections, combinations.  ATC code: J05AR17.

Mechanism of action

Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and nucleoside analogue of 2’‑deoxycytidine.  Emtricitabine is phosphorylated by cellular enzymes to form emtricitabine triphosphate.  Emtricitabine triphosphate inhibits HIV replication through incorporation into viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by the HIV reverse transcriptase (RT), which results in DNA chain-termination.  Emtricitabine has activity against HIV‑1, HIV‑2, and HBV.

Tenofovir alafenamide is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI) and phosphonamidate prodrug of tenofovir (2’‑deoxyadenosine monophosphate analogue).  Tenofovir alafenamide is permeable into cells and due to increased plasma stability and intracellular activation through hydrolysis by cathepsin A, tenofovir alafenamide is more efficient than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in concentrating tenofovir in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or HIV target cells including lymphocytes and macrophages.  Intracellular tenofovir is subsequently phosphorylated to the pharmacologically active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate.  Tenofovir diphosphate inhibits HIV replication through incorporation into viral DNA by the HIV RT, which results in DNA chain-termination.

Tenofovir has activity against HIV‑1, HIV‑2, and HBV.

Antiviral activity in vitro

Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide demonstrated synergistic antiviral activity in cell culture. No antagonism was observed with emtricitabine or tenofovir alafenamide when combined with other antiretroviral agents.

The antiviral activity of emtricitabine against laboratory and clinical isolates of HIV‑1 was assessed in lymphoblastoid cell lines, the MAGI CCR5 cell line, and PBMCs.  The 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for emtricitabine were in the range of 0.0013 to 0.64 μM.  Emtricitabine displayed antiviral activity in cell culture against HIV‑1 clades A, B, C, D, E, F, and G (EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.007 to 0.075 μM) and showed strain specific activity against HIV‑2 (EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.007 to 1.5 μM).

The antiviral activity of tenofovir alafenamide against laboratory and clinical isolates of HIV‑1 subtype B was assessed in lymphoblastoid cell lines, PBMCs, primary monocyte/macrophage cells and CD4+‑T lymphocytes.  The EC₅₀ values for tenofovir alafenamide were in the range of 2.0 to 14.7 nM.  Tenofovir alafenamide displayed antiviral activity in cell culture against all HIV‑1 groups (M, N, and O), including subtypes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G (EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.10 to 12.0 nM) and showed strain specific activity against HIV‑2 (EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.91 to 2.63 nM).

Prophylactic activity in a nonhuman primate model of HIV-1 transmission

The prophylactic activity of the combination of oral emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide was evaluated in a controlled study of macaques administered once weekly intra-rectal inoculations of chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (SHIV) for up to 19 weeks (n=6). All 6 macaques that received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide at doses resulting in PBMC exposures consistent with those achieved in humans administered a dose of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide 200/25 mg remained SHIV uninfected.

Resistance

In vitro

Reduced susceptibility to emtricitabine is associated with M184V/I mutations in HIV‑1 RT.

HIV‑1 isolates with reduced susceptibility to tenofovir alafenamide express a K65R mutation in HIV‑1 RT; in addition, a K70E mutation in HIV‑1 RT has been transiently observed.

In HIV-infected, treatment-naïve patients

In a pooled analysis of antiretroviral-naïve patients receiving emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (10 mg) given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet in Phase 3 studies GS‑US‑292‑0104 and GS‑US‑292‑0111, genotyping was performed on plasma HIV‑1 isolates from all patients with HIV‑1 RNA ≥ 400 copies/mL at confirmed virological failure, at Week 144, or at the time of early study drug discontinuation.  Through Week 144, the development of one or more primary emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide, or elvitegravir resistance-associated mutations was observed in HIV‑1 isolates from 12 of 22 patients with evaluable genotypic data from paired baseline and E/C/F/TAF treatment-failure isolates (12 of 866 patients [1.4%]) compared with 12 of 20 treatment-failure isolates from patients with evaluable genotypic data in the E/C/F/TDF group (12 of 867 patients [1.4%]).  In the E/C/F/TAF group, the mutations that emerged were M184V/I (n = 11) and K65R/N (n = 2) in RT and T66T/A/I/V (n = 2), E92Q (n = 4), Q148Q/R (n = 1), and N155H (n = 2) in integrase.  Of the HIV-1 isolates from 12 patients with resistance development in the E/C/F/TDF group, the mutations that emerged were M184V/I (n = 9), K65R/N (n = 4), and L210W (n = 1) in RT and E92Q/V (n = 4) and Q148R (n = 2), and N155H/S (n=3) in integrase.  Most HIV‑1 isolates from patients in both treatment groups who developed resistance mutations to elvitegravir in integrase also developed resistance mutations to emtricitabine in RT.

In patients co‑infected with HIV and HBV

In a clinical study of HIV virologically suppressed patients co‑infected with chronic hepatitis B, who received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet (E/C/F/TAF), for 48 weeks (GS‑US‑292‑1249, n = 72), 2 patients qualified for resistance analysis.  In these 2 patients, no amino acid substitutions associated with resistance to any of the components of E/C/F/TAF were identified in HIV‑1 or HBV.

In HIV-1 uninfected adults at risk for HIV-1 infection

In the DISCOVER trial (study 2055) of HIV-1 uninfected men and transgender women who have sex with men and who are at risk of HIV-1 infection receiving DESCOVY or emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV-1 PrEP, genotyping was performed on participants found to be infected during the trial who had HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL (6 of 7 participants receiving DESCOVY and 13 of 15 participants receiving emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). The development of emtricitabine resistance-associated substitutions, M184I and/or M184V, was observed in 4 HIV-1 infected participants in the emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group who had suspected baseline infections.

Cross-resistance in HIV‑1 infected, treatment-naïve or virologically suppressed patients

Emtricitabine-resistant viruses with the M184V/I substitution were cross-resistant to lamivudine, but retained sensitivity to didanosine, stavudine, tenofovir, and zidovudine.

The K65R and K70E mutations result in reduced susceptibility to abacavir, didanosine, lamivudine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir, but retain sensitivity to zidovudine.

Multinucleoside-resistant HIV‑1 with a T69S double insertion mutation or with a Q151M mutation complex including K65R showed reduced susceptibility to tenofovir alafenamide.

Clinical data

There are no efficacy and safety studies conducted in treatment-naïve patients with Descovy.

Clinical efficacy of Descovy was established in HIV-infected patients from studies conducted with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide when given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as the fixed-dose combination tablet E/C/F/TAF.

Clinical efficacy and safety of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP was established in HIV-1 uninfected men or transgender women who have sex with men from a study comparing once daily Descovy to emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF).

HIV‑1 infected, treatment-naïve patients

In studies GS‑US‑292‑0104 and GS‑US‑292‑0111, patients were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg (n = 866) once daily or emtricitabine 200 mg + tenofovir disoproxil (as fumarate) 245 mg (n = 867) once daily, both given with elvitegravir 150 mg + cobicistat 150 mg as a fixed-dose combination tablet.  The mean age was 36 years (range: 18‑76), 85% were male, 57% were White, 25% were Black, and 10% were Asian.  Nineteen percent of patients were identified as Hispanic/Latino.  The mean baseline plasma HIV‑1 RNA was 4.5 log₁₀ copies/mL (range: 1.3‑7.0) and 23% had baseline viral loads > 100,000 copies/mL.  The mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 427 cells/mm³ (range: 0‑1,360) and 13% had a CD4+ cell count < 200 cells/mm³.

E/C/F/TAF demonstrated statistical superiority in achieving HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL when compared to E/C/F/TDF at Week 144.  The difference in percentage was 4.2% (95% CI: 0.6% to 7.8%).  Pooled treatment outcomes at 48 and 144 weeks are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Pooled virological outcomes of Studies GS‑US‑292‑0104 and GS‑US‑292‑0111 at Weeks 48 and 144^a,b

E/C/F/TAF = elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide

E/C/F/TDF = elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

a     Week 48 window was between Day 294 and 377 (inclusive); Week 144 window was between Day 966 and 1049 (inclusive).

b    In both studies, patients were stratified by baseline HIV‑1 RNA (≤ 100,000 copies/mL, > 100,000 copies/mL to ≤ 400,000 copies/mL, or > 400,000 copies/mL), by CD4+ cell count (< 50 cells/μL, 50‑199 cells/μL, or ≥ 200 cells/μL), and by region (US or ex‑US).

c    Includes patients who had ≥ 50 copies/mL in the Week 48 or 144 window; patients who discontinued early due to lack or loss of efficacy; patients who discontinued for reasons other than an adverse event (AE), death or lack or loss of efficacy and at the time of discontinuation had a viral value of ≥ 50 copies/mL.

d    Includes patients who discontinued due to AE or death at any time point from Day 1 through the time window if this resulted in no virologic data on treatment during the specified window.

e    Includes patients who discontinued for reasons other than an AE, death or lack or loss of efficacy; e.g., withdrew consent, loss to follow‑up, etc.

The mean increase from baseline in CD4+ cell count was 230 cells/mm³ in patients receiving E/C/F/TAF and 211 cells/mm³ in patients receiving E/C/F/TDF (p = 0.024) at Week 48, and 326 cells/mm³ in E/C/F/TAF-treated patients and 305 cells/mm³ in E/C/F/TDF-treated patients (p = 0.06) at Week 144.

Clinical efficacy of Descovy in treatment-naïve patients was also established from a study conducted with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (10 mg) when given with darunavir (800 mg) and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet (D/C/F/TAF).  In Study GS‑US‑299‑0102, patients were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive either fixed-dose combination D/C/F/TAF once daily (n = 103) or darunavir and cobicistat and emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate once daily (n = 50).  The proportions of patients with plasma HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL and < 20 copies/mL are shown in Table 6.

Table 6: Virological outcomes of Study GS‑US‑299‑0102 at Week 24 and 48^a

D/C/F/TAF = darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide

a     Week 48 window was between Day 294 and 377 (inclusive).

b    Includes patients who had ≥ 50 copies/mL in the Week 48 window; patients who discontinued early due to lack or loss of efficacy; patients who discontinued for reasons other than an adverse event (AE), death or lack or loss of efficacy and at the time of discontinuation had a viral value of ≥ 50 copies/mL.

c     Includes patients who discontinued due to AE or death at any time point from Day 1 through the time window if this resulted in no virologic data on treatment during the specified window.

d    Includes patients who discontinued for reasons other than an AE, death or lack or loss of efficacy; e.g., withdrew consent, loss to follow‑up, etc.

HIV‑1 infected virologically suppressed patients

In Study GS‑US‑311‑1089, the efficacy and safety of switching from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to Descovy while maintaining the third antiretroviral agent were evaluated in a randomised, double-blind study of virologically suppressed HIV‑1 infected adults (n = 663).  Patients must have been stably suppressed (HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) on their baseline regimen for at least 6 months and had HIV‑1 with no resistance mutations to emtricitabine or tenofovir alafenamide prior to study entry.  Patients were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either switch to Descovy (n = 333), or stay on their baseline emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate containing regimen (n = 330).  Patients were stratified by the class of the third agent in their prior treatment regimen.  At baseline, 46% of patients were receiving emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination with a boosted PI and 54% of patients were receiving emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination with an unboosted third agent.

Treatment outcomes of Study GS‑US‑311‑1089 through 48 and 96 weeks are presented in Table 7.

Table 7: Virological outcomes of Study GS‑US‑311‑1089 at Weeks 48^a and 96^b

PI = protease inhibitor

a     Week 48 window was between Day 294 and 377 (inclusive).

b    Week 96 window was between Day 630 and 713 (inclusive).

c     Includes patients who had ≥ 50 copies/mL in the Week 48 or Week 96 window; patients who discontinued early due to lack or loss of efficacy; patients who discontinued for reasons other than an adverse event (AE), death or lack or loss of efficacy and at the time of discontinuation had a viral value of ≥ 50 copies/mL.

d    Includes patients who discontinued due to AE or death at any time point from Day 1 through the time window if this resulted in no virologic data on treatment during the specified window.

e     Includes patients who discontinued for reasons other than an AE, death or lack or loss of efficacy; e.g., withdrew consent, loss to follow‑up, etc.

In Study GS-US-311-1717, patients who were virologically suppressed (HIV‑1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on their abacavir/lamivudine containing regimen for at least 6 months were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either switch to Descovy (N=280) while maintaining their third agent at baseline or stay on their baseline abacavir/lamivudine -containing regimen (N=276).

Patients were stratified by the class of the third agent in their prior treatment regimen. At baseline, 30% of patients were receiving abacavir/lamivudine in combination with a boosted protease inhibitor and 70% of patients were receiving abacavir/lamivudine in combination with an unboosted third agent. Virologic success rates at Week 48 were: Descovy Containing Regimen:  89.7% (227 of 253 subjects); Abacavir/lamivudine Containing Regimen: 92.7%% (230 of 248 subjects). At Week 48, switching to a Descovy-containing regimen was non-inferior to staying on a baseline abacavir/lamivudine-containing regimen in maintaining HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL

HIV‑1 infected patients with mild to moderate renal impairment

In Study GS‑US‑292‑0112, the efficacy and safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide were evaluated in an open-label clinical study in which 242 HIV‑1 infected patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (eGFR_CG: 30‑69 mL/min) were switched to emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (10 mg) given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet.  Patients were virologically suppressed (HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) for at least 6 months before switching.

The mean age was 58 years (range: 24‑82), with 63 patients (26%) who were ≥ 65 years of age.  Seventy-nine percent were male, 63% were White, 18% were Black, and 14% were Asian.  Thirteen percent of patients were identified as Hispanic/Latino.  At baseline, median eGFR was 56 mL/min, and 33% of patients had an eGFR from 30 to 49 mL/min.  The mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 664 cells/mm³ (range: 126‑1,813).

At Week 144, 83.1% (197/237 patients) maintained HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL after switching to emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet.

In Study GS‑US‑292‑1825, the efficacy and safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet were evaluated in a single arm, open‑label clinical study in which 55 HIV‑1 infected adults with end stage renal disease (eGFR_CG < 15 mL/min) on chronic haemodialysis for at least 6 months before switching to emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet.  Patients were virologically suppressed (HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) for at least 6 months before switching.

The mean age was 48 years (range 23‑64).  Seventy‑six percent were male, 82% were Black and 18% were White.  Fifteen percent of patients identified as Hispanic/Latino.  The mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 545 cells/mm³ (range 205‑1473).  At Week 48, 81.8% (45/55 patients) maintained HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL after switching to emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet.  There were no clinically significant changes in fasting lipid laboratory tests in patients who switched.

Patients co‑infected with HIV and HBV

In open‑label Study GS‑US‑292‑1249, the efficacy and safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet (E/C/F/TAF), were evaluated in adult patients co‑infected with HIV‑1 and chronic hepatitis B.  Sixty‑nine of the 72 patients were on prior TDF‑containing antiretroviral therapy.  At the start of treatment with E/C/F/TAF, the 72 patients had been HIV‑suppressed (HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) for at least 6 months with or without suppression of HBV DNA and had compensated liver function.  The mean age was 50 years (range 28‑67), 92% of patients were male, 69% were White, 18% were Black, and 10% were Asian.  The mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 636 cells/mm³ (range 263‑1498).  Eighty‑six percent of patients (62/72) were HBV suppressed (HBV DNA < 29 IU/mL) and 42% (30/72) were HBeAg positive at baseline.

Of the patients who were HBeAg positive at baseline, 1/30 (3.3%) achieved seroconversion to anti‑HBe at Week 48.  Of the patients who were HBsAg positive at baseline, 3/70 (4.3%) achieved seroconversion to anti‑HBs Week 48.

At Week 48, 92% of patients (66/72) maintained HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL after switching to emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet.  The mean change from baseline in CD4+ cell count at Week 48 was ‑2 cells/mm³.  Ninety‑two percent (66/72 patients) had HBV DNA < 29 IU/mL using missing = failure analysis at Week 48.  Of the 62 patients who were HBV suppressed at baseline, 59 remained suppressed and 3 had missing data. Of the 10 patients who were not HBV suppressed at baseline (HBV DNA ≥ 29 IU/mL), 7 became suppressed, 2 remained detectable, and 1 had missing data.

There are limited clinical data on the use of E/C/F/TAF in HIV/HBV co‑infected patients who are treatment‑naïve.

Changes in measures of bone mineral density

In studies in treatment-naïve patients, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet was associated with smaller reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) compared to E/C/F/TDF through 144 weeks of treatment as measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis of hip (mean change: −0.8% vs −3.4%, p < 0.001) and lumbar spine (mean change: −0.9% vs −3.0%, p < 0.001). In a separate study, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with  darunavir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet was also associated with smaller reductions in BMD (as measured by hip and lumbar spine DXA analysis) through 48 weeks of treatment compared to darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. 

In a study in virologically suppressed adult patients, improvements in BMD were noted through 96 weeks after switching to Descovy from a TDF containing regimen compared to minimal changes with maintaining the TDF containing regimen as measured by DXA analysis of hip (mean change from baseline of 1.9% vs ‑0.3%, p < 0.001) and lumbar spine (mean change from baseline of 2.2% vs ‑0.2%, p < 0.001).

In a study in virologically suppressed adult patients, BMD did not change significantly through 48 weeks after switching to Descovy from an abacavir/lamivudine containing regimen compared to maintaining the abacavir/lamivudine containing regimen as measured by DXA analysis of hip (mean change from baseline of 0.3% vs 0.2%, p = 0.55) and lumbar spine (mean change from baseline of 0.1% vs < 0.1%, p = 0.78).

Changes in measures of renal function

In studies in treatment-naïve patients, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet through 144 weeks was associated with a lower impact on renal safety parameters (as measured after 144 weeks treatment by eGFR_CG and urine protein to creatinine ratio and after 96 weeks treatment by urine albumin to creatinine ratio) compared to E/C/F/TDF. Through 144 weeks of treatment, no subject discontinued E/C/F/TAF due to a treatment‑emergent renal adverse event compared with 12 subjects who discontinued E/C/F/TDF (p < 0.001).

In a separate study in treatment-naïve patients, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with darunavir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet was associated with a lower impact on renal safety parameters through 48 weeks of treatment compared to darunavir and cobicistat given with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (see also section 4.4).

In a study in virologically suppressed adult patients measures of tubular proteinuria were similar in patients switching to a regimen containing Descovy compared to patients who stayed on an abacavir/lamivudine containing regimen at baseline. At Week 48, the median percentage change in urine retinol binding protein to creatinine ratio was 4% in the Descovy group and 16% in those remaining on an abacavir/lamivudine containing regimen; and in urine beta-2 microglobulin to creatinine ratio it was 4% vs. 5%.

HIV-1 infected paediatric population

In Study GS‑US‑292‑0106, the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide were evaluated in an open-label study in which 50 HIV‑1 infected, treatment-naïve adolescents received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (10 mg) given with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed-dose combination tablet.  Patients had a mean age of 15 years (range: 12‑17), and 56% were female, 12% were Asian, and 88% were Black.  At baseline, median plasma HIV‑1 RNA was 4.7 log₁₀ copies/mL, median CD4+ cell count was 456 cells/mm³ (range: 95‑1,110), and median CD4+% was 23% (range: 7‑45%).  Overall, 22% had baseline plasma HIV‑1 RNA > 100,000 copies/mL.  At 48 weeks, 92% (46/50) achieved HIV‑1 RNA < 50 copies/mL, similar to response rates in studies of treatment-naïve HIV‑1 infected adults.  The mean increase from baseline in CD4+ cell count at Week 48 was 224 cells/mm³.  No emergent resistance to E/C/F/TAF was detected through Week 48.

HIV-1 uninfected adults at risk of HIV-1 infection

The efficacy and safety of Descovy to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind multinational trial (DISCOVER study 2055) in HIV-seronegative men (N=5,262) or transgender women (N=73) who have sex with men and are at risk of HIV-1 infection, comparing once daily Descovy (N=2,670) to emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF 200 mg/300 mg; N=2,665). Evidence of risk behaviour at entry into the trial included at least one of the following: two or more unique condomless anal sex partners in the past 12 weeks or a diagnosis of rectal gonorrhoea/chlamydia or syphilis in the past 24 weeks. The median age of participants was 34 years (range, 18-76); 84% were White, 9% Black/Mixed Black, 4% Asian, and 24% Hispanic/Latino. At baseline, 897 participants (17%) reported receiving emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for PrEP.

At weeks 4, 12, and every 12 weeks thereafter, all participants received local standard of care HIV-1 prevention services, including HIV-1 testing, evaluation of adherence, safety evaluations, risk-reduction counselling, condoms, management of sexually transmitted infections, and assessment of sexual behaviour.

Trial participants maintained a high risk of sexual HIV-1 acquisition, with high rates of rectal gonorrhoea (Descovy, 24%; emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, 25%), rectal chlamydia (Descovy, 30%; emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, 31%), and syphilis (14% in both treatment groups) during the trial.

The primary outcome was the incidence of documented HIV-1 infection per 100 person-years in participants randomized to Descovy and emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (with a minimum follow-up of 48 weeks and at least 50% of participants having 96 weeks of follow-up). Descovy was non-inferior to emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection (Table 8). The results were similar across the subgroups of age, race, gender identity, and baseline emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for PrEP use.

Table 8 HIV-1 infection results in DISCOVER trial (study 2055) – full analysis set

CI = Confidence interval.

Of the 22 participants diagnosed with HIV-1 infection in the trial, five had suspected baseline infection prior to study entry (Descovy, 1; emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, 4). In a case-control substudy of intracellular drug levels and estimated number of daily doses as measured by dried blood spot testing, median intracellular tenofovir diphosphate concentrations were substantially lower in participants infected with HIV-1 at the time of diagnosis compared with uninfected matched control participants. For both Descovy and emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, efficacy was therefore strongly correlated to adherence to daily dosing.

Renal Laboratory Tests

Changes from baseline to Week 48 in renal laboratory data are presented in Table 9. The long-term clinical significance of these renal laboratory changes on adverse reaction frequencies between Descovy and emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is not known.

Table 9 Laboratory assessments of renal function reported in HIV-1 uninfected participants receiving Descovy or emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in the DISCOVER trial (study 2055)

eGFRCG=estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate by Cockcroft-Gault; UPCR=urine protein/creatinine ratio

¹ Mean (SD).

² Median (Q1, Q3).
³ Based on N who had normal UPCR (≤ 200 mg/g) at baseline.

Bone Mineral Density Effects

In the DISCOVER trial (study 2055), mean increases from baseline to Week 48 of 0.5% at the lumbar spine (N=159) and 0.2% at the total hip (N=158) were observed in participants receiving Descovy, compared to mean decreases of 1.1% at the lumbar spine (N=160) and 1.0% at the total hip (N=158) in participants receiving emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Bone mineral density (BMD) declines of 5% or greater at the lumbar spine and 7% or greater at the total hip were experienced by 4% and 1% of participants, respectively, in both treatment groups at Week 48. The long-term clinical significance of these BMD changes is not known.

Serum Lipids

Changes from baseline to Week 48 in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol to HDL ratio are presented in Table 10.

Table 10          Fasting lipid values, mean change from baseline, reported in HIV-1 uninfected participants receiving Descovy or emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in the DISCOVER trial (study 2055)¹

¹ Excludes subjects who received lipid lowering agents during the treatment period.

² The baseline and change from baseline are for subjects with both baseline and Week 48 values.

³ N=1,098

⁴ N=1,124

⁵ N=1,079

⁶ N=1,107

HIV-1 uninfected paediatric population

Safety and effectiveness of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP in at-risk adolescents weighing at least 35 kg, is supported by data from an adequate and well-controlled trial of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP in adults with additional data from safety and pharmacokinetic studies in previously conducted trials with the individual drug products, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, with elvitegravir+cobicistat, in HIV-1 infected adults and paediatric subjects (see section 4.2, 4.8, and 5.2).

While using Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP, HIV-1 testing should be repeated at least every 3 months, and upon diagnosis of any other STIs. Previous studies in at-risk adolescents indicated waning adherence to a daily oral PrEP regimen once visits were switched from monthly to quarterly visits. Adolescents may therefore benefit from more frequent visits and counselling (see section 4.4).

Safety and effectiveness of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP in paediatric patients weighing less than 35 kg have not been established.

HIV status has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in adults.

Absorption

Emtricitabine is rapidly and extensively absorbed following oral administration with peak plasma concentrations occurring at 1 to 2 hours post-dose.  Following multiple dose oral administration of emtricitabine to 20 HIV‑1 infected subjects, the (mean ± SD) steady state plasma emtricitabine peak concentrations (C_max) were 1.8 ± 0.7 μg/mL and the area‑under the plasma concentration‑time curve over a 24‑hour dosing interval (AUC) was 10.0 ± 3.1 μg•h/mL.  The mean steady state plasma trough concentration at 24 hours post-dose was equal to or greater than the mean in vitro IC90 value for anti‑HIV‑1 activity.

Emtricitabine systemic exposure was unaffected when emtricitabine was administered with food.

Following administration of food in healthy subjects, peak plasma concentrations were observed approximately 1 hour post-dose for tenofovir alafenamide administered as F/TAF (25 mg) or E/C/F/TAF (10 mg).  The mean C_max and AUC_last, (mean ± SD) under fed conditions following a single 25 mg dose of tenofovir alafenamide administered in Descovy were 0.21 ± 0.13 μg/mL and 0.25 ± 0.11 μg•h/mL, respectively.  The mean C_max and AUC_last following a single 10 mg dose of tenofovir alafenamide administered in E/C/F/TAF were 0.21 ± 0.10 μg/mL and 0.25 ± 0.08 μg•h/mL, respectively.

Relative to fasting conditions, the administration of tenofovir alafenamide with a high fat meal (~800 kcal, 50% fat) resulted in a decrease in tenofovir alafenamide C_max (15‑37%) and an increase in AUC_last (17‑77%).

Distribution

In vitro binding of emtricitabine to human plasma proteins was < 4% and independent of concentration over the range of 0.02‑200 μg/mL.  At peak plasma concentration, the mean plasma to blood drug concentration ratio was ~1.0 and the mean semen to plasma drug concentration ratio was ~4.0.

In vitro binding of tenofovir to human plasma proteins is < 0.7% and is independent of concentration over the range of 0.01‑25 μg/mL.  Ex vivo binding of tenofovir alafenamide to human plasma proteins in samples collected during clinical studies was approximately 80%.

Biotransformation

In vitro studies indicate that emtricitabine is not an inhibitor of human CYP enzymes.  Following administration of [¹⁴C]‑emtricitabine, complete recovery of the emtricitabine dose was achieved in urine (~86%) and faeces (~14%).  Thirteen percent of the dose was recovered in the urine as three putative metabolites.  The biotransformation of emtricitabine includes oxidation of the thiol moiety to form the 3’‑sulfoxide diastereomers (~9% of dose) and conjugation with glucuronic acid to form 2’‑O‑glucuronide (~4% of dose).  No other metabolites were identifiable.

Metabolism is a major elimination pathway for tenofovir alafenamide in humans, accounting for > 80% of an oral dose.  In vitro studies have shown that tenofovir alafenamide is metabolised to tenofovir (major metabolite) by cathepsin A in PBMCs (including lymphocytes and other HIV target cells) and macrophages; and by carboxylesterase‑1 in hepatocytes.  In vivo, tenofovir alafenamide is hydrolysed within cells to form tenofovir (major metabolite), which is phosphorylated to the active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate.  In human clinical studies, a 10 mg oral dose of tenofovir alafenamide (given with emtricitabine and elvitegravir and cobicistat) resulted in tenofovir diphosphate concentrations > 4‑fold higher in PBMCs and > 90% lower concentrations of tenofovir in plasma as compared to a 245 mg oral dose of tenofovir disoproxil (as fumarate) (given with emtricitabine and elvitegravir and cobicistat).

In vitro, tenofovir alafenamide is not metabolised by CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP2D6.  Tenofovir alafenamide is minimally metabolised by CYP3A4.  Upon co‑administration with the moderate CYP3A inducer probe efavirenz, tenofovir alafenamide exposure was not significantly affected.  Following administration of tenofovir alafenamide, plasma [¹⁴C]‑radioactivity showed a time-dependent profile with tenofovir alafenamide as the most abundant species in the initial few hours and uric acid in the remaining period.

Elimination

Emtricitabine is primarily excreted by the kidneys with complete recovery of the dose achieved in urine (approximately 86%) and faeces (approximately 14%).  Thirteen percent of the emtricitabine dose was recovered in urine as three metabolites.  The systemic clearance of emtricitabine averaged 307 mL/min.  Following oral administration, the elimination half‑life of emtricitabine is approximately 10 hours.

Renal excretion of intact tenofovir alafenamide is a minor pathway with < 1% of the dose eliminated in urine.  Tenofovir alafenamide is mainly eliminated following metabolism to tenofovir.  Tenofovir alafenamide and tenofovir have a median plasma half-life of 0.51 and 32.37 hours, respectively.  Tenofovir is renally eliminated by both glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion.

Pharmacokinetics in special populations

Age, gender, and ethnicity

No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic differences due to age, gender or ethnicity have been identified for emtricitabine, or tenofovir alafenamide.

HIV-infected paediactric population

Exposures of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (given with elvitegravir and cobicistat) achieved in 24 paediatric patients aged 12 to < 18 years who received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide given with elvitegravir and cobicistat in Study GS‑US‑292‑0106 were similar to exposures achieved in treatment-naïve adults (Table 11).

Table 11: Pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in antiretroviral‑naïve adolescents and adults

E/C/F/TAF = elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate

FTC = emtricitabine; TAF = tenofovir alafenamide fumarate; TFV = tenofovir

N/A = not applicable

Data are presented as mean (%CV).

a     n = 24 adolescents (GS‑US‑292‑0106); n = 19 adults (GS‑US‑292‑0102)

b    n = 23 adolescents (GS‑US‑292‑0106, population PK analysis)

c     n = 539 (TAF) or 841 (TFV) adults (GS‑US‑292‑0111 and GS‑US‑292‑0104, population PK analysis)

HIV-1 uninfected paediatric population

The pharmacokinetic data for emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide following administration of Descovy in HIV-1 uninfected adolescents weighing 35 kg and above are not available. The dosage recommendations of Descovy for HIV-1 PrEP in this population are based on known pharmacokinetic information in HIV-infected adolescents taking emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide for treatment.

Renal impairment

No clinically relevant differences in tenofovir alafenamide, or tenofovir pharmacokinetics were observed between healthy subjects and patients with severe renal impairment (estimated CrCl > 15 mL/min and < 30 mL/min) in a Phase 1 study of tenofovir alafenamide.  In a separate Phase 1 study of emtricitabine alone, mean systemic emtricitabine exposure was higher in patients with severe renal impairment (estimated CrCl < 30 mL/min) (33.7 μg•h/mL) than in subjects with normal renal function (11.8 μg•h/mL). The safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide has not been established in patients with severe renal impairment (estimated CrCl ≥ 15 mL/min and < 30 mL/min).

Exposures of emtricitabine and tenofovir in 12 patients with end stage renal disease (estimated CrCl < 15 mL/min) on chronic haemodialysis who received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet (E/C/F/TAF) in Study GS‑US‑292‑1825 were significantly higher than in patients with normal renal function.  No clinically relevant differences in tenofovir alafenamide pharmacokinetics were observed in patients with end stage renal disease on chronic haemodialysis as compared to those with normal renal function.  There were no new safety issues in patients with end stage renal disease on chronic haemodialysis receiving emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, in combination with elvitegravir and cobicistat as a fixed‑dose combination tablet (see section 4.8).

There are no pharmacokinetic data on emtricitabine or tenofovir alafenamide in patients with end stage renal disease (estimated CrCl < 15 mL/min) not on chronic haemodialysis.  The safety of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide has not been established in these patients.

Hepatic impairment

The pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine have not been studied in subjects with hepatic impairment; however, emtricitabine is not significantly metabolised by liver enzymes, so the impact of liver impairment should be limited. 

Clinically relevant changes in the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir alafenamide or its metabolite tenofovir were not observed in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.  In patients with severe hepatic impairment, total plasma concentrations of tenofovir alafenamide and tenofovir are lower than those seen in subjects with normal hepatic function.  When corrected for protein binding, unbound (free) plasma concentrations of tenofovir alafenamide in severe hepatic impairment and normal hepatic function are similar.

Hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus co‑infection

The pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide have not been fully evaluated in patients co‑infected with HBV and/or HCV.

Non-clinical data on emtricitabine reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction and development.  Emtricitabine has demonstrated low carcinogenic potential in mice and rats.

Non-clinical studies of tenofovir alafenamide in rats and dogs revealed bone and kidney as the primary target organs of toxicity.  Bone toxicity was observed as reduced BMD in rats and dogs at tenofovir exposures at least four times greater than those expected after administration of Descovy.  A minimal infiltration of histiocytes was present in the eye in dogs at tenofovir alafenamide and tenofovir exposures of approximately 4 and 17 times greater, respectively, than those expected after administration of Descovy.

Tenofovir alafenamide was not mutagenic or clastogenic in conventional genotoxicity assays.

Because there is a lower tenofovir exposure in rats and mice after the administration of tenofovir alafenamide compared to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, carcinogenicity studies and a rat peri-postnatal study were conducted only with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.  No special hazard for humans was revealed in conventional studies of carcinogenic potential and toxicity to reproduction and development.  Reproductive toxicity studies in rats and rabbits showed no effects on mating, fertility, pregnancy or foetal parameters.  However, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate reduced the viability index and weight of pups in a peri-postnatal toxicity study at maternally toxic doses.

Tablet core

Microcrystalline cellulose

Croscarmellose sodium

Magnesium stearate

Film‑coating

Polyvinyl alcohol

Titanium dioxide

Macrogol 3350

Talc

Indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132)

Not applicable.

Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.  Keep the bottle tightly closed.

Do not store above 30^oC.

High density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle with a polypropylene continuous-thread, child‑resistant cap, lined with an induction activated aluminium foil liner containing 30 film‑coated tablets.  Each bottle contains silica gel desiccant and polyester coil.

The following pack size is available: outer cartons containing 1 bottle of 30 film‑coated.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.