Key takeaways

  • Biktarvy is brand-name medication that’s a complete treatment for HIV-1 (meaning you don’t take other HIV medications with it). It is available as an oral tablet.
  • Biktarvy can cause side effects, both mild and serious. It has an FDA boxed warning for risk of worsening hepatitis B after stopping Biktarvy.
  • Biktarvy works by blocking enzymes that HIV uses to make copies of itself, thereby reducing viral load. While it can’t cure HIV, Biktarvy may lower viral load to undetectable levels, preventing sexual transmission.

Biktarvy is a brand-name antiretroviral medication prescribed for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in certain people. It comes as an oral tablet.

Biktarvy contains three active ingredients: bictegravir sodium, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

Bictegravir sodium is an integrase inhibitor. Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide belong to a class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).

Biktarvy is considered a complete medication for HIV-1, meaning you don’t need to take other HIV-1 medications with it.

Biktarvy is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name medication it’s designed to mimic. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. (See the “Biktarvy cost and savings” section for more about Biktarvy cost.)

Biktarvy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use to treat HIV-1 in adults and children weighing at least 14 kilograms (about 31 pounds) who:

  • have not taken antiretroviral medications for HIV-1 before, or
  • are taking other antiretroviral drugs for HIV-1 but still have a detectable level of HIV in their blood, or
  • are taking other HIV-1 medications that have reduced the amount of HIV-1 in their blood to an undetectable or very low level, but wish to switch to Biktarvy and have no known resistance to Biktarvy ingredients.

Biktarvy is considered a complete treatment for HIV, which means you don’t need to take other HIV medications with it.

Biktarvy has a boxed warning about the risk of worsening hepatitis B after you stop taking the drug. (This applies only to people who have HIV and hepatitis B.) A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more, see the “Biktarvy precautions” section.

Antiretroviral drugs like Biktarvy work by lowering the amount of HIV in your blood (viral load) to undetectable levels. With an undetectable viral load, you can not transmit the virus to another person through sexual contact. And there’s a lower risk of transmitting the virus to others through pregnancy, breastfeeding, or sharing needles.

Antiretrovirals can also help strengthen your immune system so you are better able to fight infections and cancers.

The following information describes Biktarvy dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strengths

Biktarvy comes as an oral tablet. Each pill contains three active ingredients.

Biktarvy is available in two strengths:

  • 50 milligrams (mg) of bictegravir, 200 mg of emtricitabine, and 25 mg of tenofovir alafenamide
  • 30 mg of bictegravir, 120 mg of emtricitabine, and 15 mg of tenofovir alafenamide

Biktarvy dosage for adults

For adults weighing 25 kilograms (about 55 pounds) or more, the recommended Biktarvy dosage is one tablet containing 50 mg bictegravir, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide, taken once per day.

Biktarvy dosage for children

The recommended dosage for children depends on the child’s body weight as follows:

  • children weighing 14 kilograms (kg) to less than 25 kg (31 pounds to less than 55 pounds): one tablet containing 30 mg bictegravir, 120 mg emtricitabine, and 15 mg tenofovir alafenamide taken once per day
  • children weighing 25 kg (55 pounds) or more: one tablet containing 50 mg bictegravir, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide taken once per day

Biktarvy can cause mild or serious side effects.

In clinical trials, the most common side effects of Biktarvy were:

  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • headache

Less common but serious side effects of Biktarvy can include:

As with all medications, the cost of Biktarvy can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding Biktarvy and cost:

  • Comparing pharmacies: The price of Biktarvy may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
  • Drug coupons: You may be able to find drug coupons on prescription discount websites that can reduce the cost of your medication. These coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits, but the discounted price may be lower than what you would pay through insurance.
  • Financial assistance: Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

Also, a financial support program called the Gilead Advancing Access program is available for Biktarvy from the drug’s manufacturer. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support such as a copay card or the patient assistance program, call 800-226-2056 or visit the program website.

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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Biktarvy.

Can your body become resistant to Biktarvy?

Your body can’t become resistant to Biktarvy, but it is possible for the HIV in your body to become resistant to Biktarvy. With resistance, the virus develops small changes that make it less sensitive to the drug. This can happen if the level of Biktarvy in your body falls too low to manage the virus.

If HIV becomes resistant to Biktarvy, this makes Biktarvy less effective at treating HIV. As a result, your viral load (the amount of virus in your body) can increase.

HIV is more likely to become resistant to Biktarvy if you miss doses of this medication. It’s important that you take Biktarvy every day and don’t miss even a few doses. Be sure to reorder Biktarvy before you run out of the medication.

If your HIV becomes resistant to Biktarvy, your doctor will need to change your HIV treatment.

Does Biktarvy cause pancreatitis?

It’s not likely. Pancreatitis wasn’t reported in people who took Biktarvy in clinical studies. However, pancreatitis has been reported in people taking drugs similar to the active ingredients in Biktarvy.

Specifically, pancreatitis has been reported in people taking nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) drugs. It’s also occurred in people taking certain integrase inhibitors. Biktarvy contains drugs from both of these groups.

Symptoms of pancreatitis can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If you have these symptoms while taking Biktarvy, see your doctor.

Besides taking Biktarvy, how else can I prevent HIV from passing to others?

HIV can pass to others in blood, semen, and breast milk, as well as in vaginal and rectal fluids. You can prevent HIV from passing to others by:

  • using condoms every time you engage in sexual activity
  • choosing sexual activities, such as oral sex, that are less likely to transmit HIV than anal or vaginal sex
  • getting regularly tested and treated for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • not sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injecting equipment with others
  • not breastfeeding

For more information about how to prevent HIV transmission, see these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Does Biktarvy cure HIV?

No, Biktarvy can’t cure HIV. Currently, there is no cure available for HIV.

But, taking Biktarvy can suppress (reduce) the activity of the virus in your body. It can even reduce your viral load to levels that are undetectable on lab tests. When your viral load is undetectable, it’s not possible to pass the virus to others through sex. And there’s a lower risk of transmitting HIV through pregnancy, breastfeeding, or sharing needles. However, this is not the same as a cure.

Keep taking Biktarvy for as long as your doctor prescribes it, even if your viral load is undetectable. If you stop the treatment, this allows your viral load to increase again.

Can older people take Biktarvy?

Biktarvy is likely safe and effective in people ages 65 years and older. In the drug’s clinical studies, the safety and effectiveness of Biktarvy were similar in older and younger adults. However, these studies didn’t include many older people.

If you’re age 65 years or older, talk with your doctor about whether Biktarvy could be right for you.

Is Biktarvy used for anything other than HIV?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Biktarvy only for use in treating HIV-1 in certain adults and children.

In some cases, medications are sometimes used off-label for conditions other than those that they have received FDA approval for. For more information about possible off-label uses of Biktarvy, talk with your doctor.

Note: Biktarvy is not FDA-approved for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV. PrEP is a treatment prescribed for people who don’t have HIV to reduce their risk of contracting the virus through sex. It’s not known if Biktarvy is effective for this use.

Biktarvy can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Biktarvy, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

For more information about Biktarvy and interactions, see this in-depth article.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

Below is a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Biktarvy. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Biktarvy. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Biktarvy• antacids, including Tums and Rolaids
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• certain antivirals, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and valganciclovir (Valcyte)
• aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin
• antimycobacterials, such as rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), rifabutin (Mycobutin), and rifapentine (Priftin)
• certain antiseizure medications
• metformin (Glumetza, Fortamet)
• sucralfate (Carafate)
Vitamins or supplements that can interact with Biktarvy• calcium or iron supplements
• St. John’s wort

Interaction with alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Biktarvy. However, alcohol and Biktarvy can cause some similar side effects. These include headache, nausea, dizziness, and liver problems. So you may be more likely to have these side effects if you drink alcohol while taking Biktarvy.

If you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to drink while taking Biktarvy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Biktarvy and pregnancy

It’s not known if there are risks to taking Biktarvy during pregnancy. But there is a risk that HIV will transmit to the fetus if HIV is not treated during pregnancy. Because of this, current guidelines recommend that people with HIV who are pregnant take antiretroviral medication, such as Biktarvy. This can help prevent HIV from transmitting to an unborn baby.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about potential treatments for HIV during pregnancy. Together, you can consider the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take Biktarvy during pregnancy.

Biktarvy and birth control

It’s not known if Biktarvy is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Biktarvy.

Biktarvy and breastfeeding

It’s not known if it’s safe to breastfeed while taking Biktarvy. The active ingredients in Biktarvy pass into breast milk, but it’s not known what effects they may have in a child who is breastfed. Also, if you have HIV, there’s a risk of transmitting the virus to the child through breast milk.

Current guidelines note that if you have HIV, taking antiretroviral medications such as Biktarvy can greatly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your child through breast milk. But they don’t reduce the risk to zero.

If you have HIV, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warning: Worsening hepatitis B after stopping Biktarvy

This drug has a boxed warning. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

If you have hepatitis B and take Biktarvy to treat HIV, stopping Biktarvy can cause your hepatitis B to get worse. This can lead to liver failure.

Your doctor will typically order a test for hepatitis B virus (HBV) before you start taking Biktarvy. If you have HBV, you should not stop taking Biktarvy without talking with your doctor first. If you stop Biktarvy, your doctor will likely monitor your HBV and your liver function for several months. If needed, they may prescribe medication to treat HBV.

If you have questions about this warning, talk with your doctor.

Other precautions

Before taking Biktarvy, discuss your health history with your doctor. Biktarvy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • current use of the arrhythmia drug dofetilide (Tikosyn) or the antibiotic rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
  • kidney problems
  • liver problems
  • history of mental health problems such as depression or suicidal thoughts
  • history of infections such as tuberculosis or cytomegalovirus
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.