Medicinerestricted

Emtricitabine

Antiretroviral taken with others to treat HIV.

Clinical information

Common uses

HIV-1 infection, combined with other antiretrovirals

Common side effects

headache
diarrhoea and feeling sick
tiredness and dizziness
trouble sleeping and abnormal dreams
rash; skin darkening in children

Cautions

hepatitis B can flare badly after stopping — monitoring needed
rare lactic acidosis and severe liver enlargement
immune reconstitution syndrome can occur

Pregnancy: registry data show no increased birth-defect risk

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Emtriva (emtricitabine) label, setid d6599395-3944-44f9-97f2-e0424c6b6a1f (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Emtricitabine	Oral Liquid	100 mg/5ml	—	restricted
Emtricitabine	Capsule	200 mg	—	restricted