Emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used for the treatment and prophylaxis of HIV. Emtricitabine is a cytidine analogue.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
Emtricitabine is a cytidine analog which, when phosphorylated to emtricitabine 5'-triphosphate, competes with deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate for HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. As HIV-1 reverse transcriptase incorporates emtricitabine into forming DNA strands, new nucleotides are unable to be incorporated, leading to viral DNA chain termination. Inhibition of reverse transcriptase prevents transcription of viral RNA into DNA, therefore the virus is unable to incorporate its DNA into host DNA and replicate using host cell machinery. This reduces viral load.
- Primary indication
- Emtricitabine is indicated in combination with other medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infections in adults and children.Curator reviewed · 8 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C8H10FN3O3S · 247.247 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2009 · United States, 2003 · European Union, 2016
- Also known as
- FTC
- Code names
- 524-W-91 · BW-524W91
- Brand names
Resolves to
XQSPYNMVSIKCOC-NTSWFWBYSA-NSMILESNC1=NC(=O)N(C=C1F)[C@@H]1CS[C@H](CO)O1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Emtricitabine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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