Generic Name: bictegravir + tenofovir alafenamide + emtricitabine
Abbreviation: BIC + TAF + FTC
Drug Class: Complete Regimens
Company: Gilead Sciences
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: No
Drug Indication
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents lists Biktarvy as a recommended initial regimen for most people with HIV. Visit https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv-guidelines/0 for the full DHHS guidelines.
General Info
Biktarvy is a single-tablet regimen for HIV. It contains an integrase inhibitor (bictegravir), a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (tenofovir alafenamide), and a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (emtricitabine). Biktarvy was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2018.
Biktarvy should only be used by those with no history of HIV treatment failure and no known HIV mutations known to cause resistance to the individual components of the drug.
Bictegravir is not expected to be available as a standalone drug for use in combination with antiretrovirals other than tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and emtricitabine (FTC).
Dosage
Adult Dose: One tablet once a day. Each tablet contains 50 mg bictegravir, 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide, and 200 mg emtricitabine.
Pediatric Dose: One tablet once a day for children weighing at least 25 kg (about 55 lb).
Dosing Info: This is a complete one-pill, once-daily drug regimen. It can be taken with or without food.
Side Effects
The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea and headache.
Drug Interactions
For a review of drug interactions, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements that should not be taken with Biktarvy or may require dose adjustments, consult the Biktarvy package insert.
Other Info
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver disease (including hepatitis B). In addition, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; if you are breast feeding, and all your medical conditions, including all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking.
For More Info: https://www.biktarvy.com/
Patient Assistance Program Info: https://www.biktarvy.com/biktarvy-cost-support
Last Reviewed: June 20, 2019
