Following clinical trials showing that it is safe and effective in children when given as part of a three- or four-drug combination, FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva) has been approved for use in infants and children over four months of age.

The approved dose for children weighing over 33kg is the same as the adult dose - one 200mg capsule once daily. In other children, the oral solution is advised. A dose of 6mg/kg FTC using capsules or the liquid formulation produces similar blood concentrations to those produced by the 200mg dose in adults.

One study has shown that 80% of 37 children treated with a triple regimen including FTC had undetectable viral load six months after starting treatment. The combination was equally effective in younger and older children^[1]. In a second study, the safety and efficacy of FTC in combination with two or three other antiretroviral drugs were demonstrated in children aged three months and above over 48 weeks of follow-up^[2]. Side-effects are generally similar in children and adults taking FTC, although there may be a greater risk of anaemia and skin discoloration in children.