HIV PrEP Medications: Mechanism of Action
David H. Spach, MD discusses the mechanism of action for the three medications currently approved for use as HIV PrEP in the US: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC), tenofovir alafenamide-emtricitabine (TAF-FTC), and long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA). He uses multiple illustrations and explains key terms to show how TDF-FTC and TAF-FTC block the HIV reverse transcription and how CAB-LA inhibits the integration of HIV DNA into human DNA.
Dr. David Spach is a Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at the University of Washington and the Editor-in-Chief of the National HIV PrEP Curriculum and the National HIV Curriculum.