Emtricitabine Dosing

When treating HIV and AIDS in adults and children, emtricitabine dosing guidelines will depend on several factors, such as weight, age, other existing medical conditions, and other medications being taken. For adults who are 18 years old and older, the recommended emtricitabine dose is 200 mg once daily or 24 mL of oral solution once daily. The emtricitabine dosage for children will depend on their weight.

 

Emtricitabine Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of emtricitabine (Emtriva®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your weight (for children)
  • Your age
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your emtricitabine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Emtricitabine Dosing for Adults

The recommended emtricitabine dose for treating adults (age 18 years and older) with HIV or AIDS is one emtricitabine 200 mg capsule once daily, or 24 mL of emtricitabine oral solution (240 mg) once daily. Emtricitabine should be used in combination with other HIV medications, as part of an HIV "cocktail" (this is known as Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy, or HAART).
 

Emtricitabine Dosing for Adolescents and Children

The recommended emtricitabine dose for treating HIV or AIDS in adolescents and children (age 3 months to 17 years old) is based on weight. The recommended dose is emtricitabine 6 mg per kg (about 2.7 mg per pound) once daily, up to a maximum of emtricitabine 240 mg once daily (in the liquid form). Children who weigh more than 73 pounds (and who are capable of swallowing capsules) may take one emtricitabine 200 mg capsule, instead of the oral solution.
 
For infants from birth to three months old, the recommended emtricitabine dose is also based on weight. Typically, the emtricitabine dose for this age rage is emtricitabine 3 mg per kg (about 1.4 mg per pound) once daily.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;