Last reviewed · How we verify

Raltegravir, tenofovir/emtricitabine

University of California, San Francisco · FDA-approved active Small molecule

This combination inhibits HIV replication by blocking integrase (raltegravir) and reverse transcriptase (tenofovir/emtricitabine) at different stages of the viral lifecycle.

This combination inhibits HIV replication by blocking integrase (raltegravir) and reverse transcriptase (tenofovir/emtricitabine) at different stages of the viral lifecycle. Used for HIV-1 infection in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, HIV-1 infection as part of combination antiretroviral therapy.

At a glance

Generic nameRaltegravir, tenofovir/emtricitabine
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco
Drug classAntiretroviral combination therapy (integrase inhibitor + nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
TargetHIV integrase, HIV reverse transcriptase
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaInfectious Disease / Virology
PhaseFDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Raltegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that prevents HIV DNA from integrating into the host genome. Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor and emtricitabine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; together they block reverse transcription of viral RNA into DNA. This triple-mechanism approach provides potent suppression of HIV replication.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: