In Thailand, generic Truvada is sold under names such as Teno-EM, Tenof-EM and Ricovir-EM, and each one contains the same two medicines in the same doses as the original brand.
If a clinic hands you a box you don’t recognise, that’s normal here. Most people in Bangkok take a generic rather than the Gilead-made original, and the protection depends on the ingredients and on taking it properly, not on the name printed on the label.
What generic PrEP actually contains
Oral PrEP is one tablet with two antiretroviral medicines:
- tenofovir disoproxil, usually 300 mg (written as TDF);
- emtricitabine, 200 mg (written as FTC).
So if you’re asking about the Truvada generic name, the honest answer is that there isn’t one single name. The medicine is “emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil”, and each manufacturer gives its product a brand. Some labels say “fumarate”, “maleate” or another salt after tenofovir disoproxil; the active medicine your body receives is the same.
WHO has recommended tenofovir-based oral PrEP since 2015, and its overview of PrEP options lists this tablet as the first-line choice. Taken as prescribed, the CDC reports that PrEP reduces the risk of HIV from sex by about 99%.
The brand names you’ll see in Thailand
Thai clinics and hospitals mostly stock a handful of products. All are registered with the Thai Food and Drug Administration, and the generic Truvada name on the box changes far more than what’s inside it.
Common TDF/FTC brands in Thailand
| Brand | Maker | Contents | Use as PrEP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truvada | Gilead (original) | TDF 300 mg + FTC 200 mg | Yes |
| Teno-EM | Government Pharmaceutical Organization, Thailand | TDF 300 mg + FTC 200 mg | Yes |
| Tenof-EM | Hetero, India | TDF 300 mg + FTC 200 mg | Yes |
| Ricovir-EM | Mylan (Viatris), India | TDF 300 mg + FTC 200 mg | Yes |
You may also see TAF-based tablets such as Descovy or TAF-EM. They use a newer form of tenofovir and are a different product, so ask your doctor before swapping.
Which brand you’re offered usually comes down to stock and price rather than quality. Teno-EM is made in Thailand, while Tenof-EM and Ricovir-EM are imported from India. If you’ve been taking one abroad, the equivalent here will feel familiar.
Ricovir-EM vs Truvada: is there any real difference?
Generics are approved after showing they are bioequivalent: they release the same medicine into the blood at the same rate and amount as the original. In practice, that means the same protection and the same side-effect profile.
The independent charity i-Base lists Ricovir-EM and other generics as generic ARVs used as PrEP, and advises checking the active ingredients rather than the brand. People do sometimes notice a different tablet colour, size or coating. That’s cosmetic.
A few points worth knowing:
- Ricovir-EM PrEP works the same way for daily dosing and for the 2-1-1 on-demand schedule.
- On-demand 2-1-1 dosing is only for cis men who have sex with men and trans women not taking estradiol. It is not suitable for vaginal or front-hole sex, or for anyone with hepatitis B.
- Switching between TDF/FTC brands mid-course is fine; you don’t need to restart the lead-in.
Ricovir-EM vs Tenof-EM and Teno-EM
People often ask whether one generic beats another. There is no evidence that it does: all three use the same doses and pass the same bioequivalence tests. Pick the one you can get reliably and afford month after month, because steady supply matters far more for protection than the maker.
If you plan doses around sex, the 2-1-1 dose planner works with any of the brands above.
Teevir and other pills that are not PrEP
Teevir is an HIV treatment, not PrEP, even though it’s sold in some of the same places.
Because it also contains emtricitabine and tenofovir, it sometimes gets mistaken for PrEP. Teevir combines efavirenz with those two medicines. The extra medicine, efavirenz, is meant for people living with HIV and can cause vivid dreams, dizziness and mood changes. It has no place in prevention.
PrEP tablets vs look-alike treatment tablets
| Product type | Medicines | Suitable for PrEP? |
|---|---|---|
| TDF/FTC (Truvada, Teno-EM, Tenof-EM, Ricovir-EM) | Two | Yes |
| Teevir and similar three-in-one pills | Three, including efavirenz | No: HIV treatment |
| Tenofovir alone | One | No: used for hepatitis B or treatment |
If a box lists three ingredients, it’s not PrEP. Bring it to a doctor before you take anything.
The same goes for leftover pills from a friend or a partner. Even when the tablet is genuine TDF/FTC, you still need an HIV test first, because taking two medicines when HIV is already present can lead to drug resistance and make later treatment harder.
How to check you’ve got a genuine pack
Fake or mislabelled medicines are most likely to come from unregulated online sellers. Before you start a new bottle, check:
- The only active ingredients listed are emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil 300 mg.
- There’s a Thai registration number on the label, often marked “Reg. No.”.
- The bottle is sealed, with a batch number and an expiry date that hasn’t passed.
- It came from a clinic, hospital or pharmacy with a prescription, not from a social media seller.
Store the bottle below about 30°C, away from a sunny windowsill or a hot car, and keep the desiccant sachet inside. In Bangkok’s heat, a drawer or bag indoors is usually better than a bathroom shelf.
You also need tests before your first dose, including HIV, kidney function and hepatitis B. Our page on PrEP blood tests before you start explains each one, and starting and stopping PrEP safely covers the first weeks.
Approximate prices, checked October 2026
We don’t publish our own prices here because they depend on your tests and supply. As a market guide, these are approximate public listings for 30 tablets in Bangkok, checked October 2026:
- Generic TDF/FTC (Teno-EM, Tenof-EM, Ricovir-EM): roughly 750–1,500 baht.
- Brand-name Truvada: roughly 3,000–3,500 baht.
Generics cost less because their makers didn’t pay for the original research and they compete with each other on price. A lower price doesn’t mean a weaker tablet.
Consultation and lab fees are usually extra. We confirm the full price before you start. For a full breakdown, see our guide to PrEP costs in Bangkok and Thailand, or read how to get PrEP in Thailand if you’re comparing clinics, pharmacies and online services. When you’re ready, book a PrEP consultation with us and our English-speaking doctors will talk you through the options.
Questions people ask
Is Truvada generic now?
Yes. Several companies make the same combination, and in Thailand the generics are far more common than the original brand.
What is the generic Truvada name?
The generic name is emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil, often shortened to TDF/FTC. Teno-EM, Tenof-EM and Ricovir-EM are brand names for that combination.
Is Ricovir-EM the same as Truvada?
It contains the same two medicines at the same strengths and is bioequivalent, so it protects in the same way when taken as prescribed.
Is generic Truvada vs Descovy a fair comparison?
Not quite. Descovy uses tenofovir alafenamide, a different form, and isn’t used for the 2-1-1 schedule. Your doctor can tell you which suits you.
Can I take Teevir as PrEP?
No. Teevir is a three-medicine HIV treatment containing efavirenz. Only two-medicine TDF/FTC tablets are used as PrEP.
Written by the HIV PrEP Bangkok team, based on i-Base and WHO guidance. Last updated 2 October 2026.