Key takeaways
- Descovy is not approved for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in females because early studies did not test its effectiveness in preventing HIV from vaginal sex. Later research suggests it’s not more effective than other PrEP options.
- If females use Descovy for PrEP, the drug might not reach reliable enough levels in vaginal tissue to provide protection from HIV.
- Females needing PrEP have alternative options like Truvada and Apretude, which are approved for all genders. Other barrier methods, like condoms, can help reduce HIV risk.
Descovy is approved to treat HIV in adults and children of all genders. However, Descovy is not approved as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for females. This article explains why Descovy’s PrEP approval is limited and what safer, evidence-based HIV prevention options are available.
Note: In this article, we use the terms “women” and “men” when discussing people assigned female or male at birth. To learn more about the difference between sex and gender, read our guide on gender and sex terminology.
PrEP is a medication taken before potential HIV exposure to reduce risk of contraction. It’s recommended for people at high risk of contracting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
Descovy is approved for PrEP in transgender women and men who have sex with men. However, the drug is not approved for PrEP in females at risk of HIV from vaginal sex.
The first studies of Descovy for PreP did not evaluate the prevention of HIV from vaginal sex. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not extend its PrEP approval to women.
More recent studies have looked at how well Descovy might work for PrEP in women. A 2024 study comparing Descovy to other PrEP options found that it did not lower HIV risk more effectively than available drugs such as Truvada.
Because research remains limited and uncertain, the FDA hasn’t updated Descovy’s approval, and most healthcare professionals avoid prescribing it for this use.
What happens if a woman takes Descovy for PrEP?
If a woman uses Descovy for PrEP, there’s concern it may not offer full protection against HIV from vaginal sex.
PrEP works by building up protective drug levels in key body tissues. Some research suggests that Descovy may not reach high enough levels in vaginal tissue to offer effective HIV protection.
Since Descovy’s effectiveness for PrEP in females has not been established, choosing Descovy over an approved PrEP option may put females at risk of contracting HIV.
What are the alternatives for women who need PrEP?
Females have several well-studied options for PrEP that effectively prevent HIV:
- Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate): an oral tablet approved for all genders.
- Apretude (cabotegravir): a long-acting injectable PrEP option for all genders.
- Barrier methods: using condoms adds another layer of HIV protection.
Also, the risk of contracting HIV from a sexual partner who has HIV is much lower if the partner:
- takes antiretroviral HIV drugs consistently
- has an undetectable viral load, meaning the amount of HIV in their blood is too low to be detected on a blood test
For more information on ways to reduce HIV risk, see this article on HIV prevention.
Heterosexual males can take Descovy for PrEP if they are at risk of HIV from anal sex.
The FDA’s approval of Descovy for PrEP is based on studies with men and transgender women who have sex with men. Because these studies did not include heterosexual males at risk of HIV from vaginal sex, doctors do not typically prescribe Descovy for this use.
Healthcare professionals do not recommend Descovy for PrEP in females because of a lack of studies supporting its use for HIV prevention from vaginal sex.
If you’re considering PrEP, Truvada and Apretude are FDA-approved options for all genders. Talk with your doctor or another healthcare professional to choose the best HIV prevention strategy for your needs.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.