Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil with emtricitabine) is the original medicine used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). For years its branded price was a major barrier to access — until generics changed the maths. Here is what PrEP actually costs.
How much does Truvada for PrEP cost?
Branded Truvada has indicatively cost around US$2,000 per month in the United States without insurance. In many other countries it was lower or subsidised. Generic tenofovir/emtricitabine — the same active ingredients — costs a small fraction of the branded figure.
Why is branded Truvada so expensive?
Under patent, the originator faced little price competition. Once licensed generic versions became widely available, the cost of PrEP fell sharply, which is a large part of why PrEP is now accessible to far more people.
PrEP cost without insurance
At the branded price, monthly PrEP is unaffordable for many. Generic PrEP, alongside the regular HIV testing and medical follow-up PrEP requires, has made ongoing prevention realistic on a personal budget.
How to pay less: generic Tenofovir/Emtricitabine
The single biggest lever on cost is the generic. Generic Tenofovir/Emtricitabine contains the same active ingredient as branded Truvada, produced by licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, typically at a small fraction of the originator price. See the full side-by-side breakdown, strengths and current pricing on our generic Truvada (Tenofovir/Emtricitabine) page, or browse all Tenofovir/Emtricitabine products. A valid prescription is required and every order is reviewed by a licensed pharmacist before dispatch. Used as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
New to PrEP? Start with our generic PrEP guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Truvada for PrEP cost per month?
Branded Truvada has indicatively cost around US$2,000 a month in the United States without insurance. Generic tenofovir/emtricitabine is a small fraction of that.
Why is branded Truvada so expensive?
The branded originator was patent-protected, so there was little price competition until generic versions arrived. Generics then reduced the cost dramatically.
Is there a generic version of Truvada for PrEP?
Yes. Generic tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine (Tenvir-EM, Ricovir-EM and others) contains the same active ingredients at the same strengths.
How much cheaper is generic PrEP?
Generic PrEP is typically far below the branded price. See our generic Truvada page or PrEP guide for current pricing.
This article is general information, not medical or financial advice. Prices are indicative and vary by country, pack size, insurance and over time. Always use any medicine as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.