&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Biktarvy: HIV Treatment, How It Works, and What to Know&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is a single-tablet antiretroviral regimen that combines three medicines in one daily dose. Here is what it is, how it works, and what to know before starting treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Biktarvy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is a single-tablet antiretroviral regimen containing three active medicines:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bictegravir&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emtricitabine (FTC)&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is prescribed as a complete regimen to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and paediatric patients who meet the relevant age and weight requirements. It can be used as an initial treatment or, in appropriate circumstances, to replace an existing antiretroviral regimen. Suitability depends on factors such as previous treatment history, viral suppression, and known or suspected drug resistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does Biktarvy Work?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy targets HIV at different stages of its replication cycle:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bictegravir&lt;/strong&gt; blocks the HIV integrase enzyme, which the virus needs to integrate its genetic material into the DNA of infected cells.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide&lt;/strong&gt; inhibit reverse transcriptase, an enzyme HIV needs to copy its genetic material.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Together, these three medicines suppress HIV replication and reduce the amount of virus (viral load) in the blood when taken consistently.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who Is Biktarvy For?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Current clinical guidelines recommend BIC/FTC/TAF as an initial treatment option for many people living with HIV.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A qualified healthcare professional may prescribe Biktarvy for individuals who are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Starting HIV treatment&lt;/strong&gt; for the first time.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Switching from another antiretroviral regimen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Important Clinical Considerations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is not suitable for everyone. A healthcare provider must thoroughly review your medical history before starting treatment. Suitability depends on:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Drug Resistance:&lt;/strong&gt; Known or suspected resistance to any of the active medicines in Biktarvy.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Organ Function:&lt;/strong&gt; Pre-existing levels of kidney or liver impairment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medication History:&lt;/strong&gt; Current medicines, supplements, or antacids that may cause drug interactions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Is Biktarvy Taken and What Is the Dosage?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is taken as &lt;strong&gt;one tablet once daily&lt;/strong&gt;, with or without food.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For adults and children weighing &lt;strong&gt;25 kg or more&lt;/strong&gt;, the standard tablet contains:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bictegravir 50 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emtricitabine 200 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For children aged 2 years and older who weigh &lt;strong&gt;14 kg to less than 25 kg&lt;/strong&gt;, a lower-strength formulation is available:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bictegravir 30 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emtricitabine 120 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tenofovir alafenamide 15 mg&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Paediatric dosing and formulation should be determined by a healthcare professional based on the child&#39;s weight and clinical circumstances.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Taking treatment consistently is important for maintaining viral suppression and reducing the risk of treatment failure and drug resistance. For children who cannot swallow a whole tablet, the tablet may be split under the conditions specified in the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.gilead.com/~/media/files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/biktarvy/biktarvy_pi.pdf&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Biktarvy Prescribing Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Both halves should be swallowed within 10 minutes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Note: Your HIV specialist will advise you on how to take Biktarvy and whether any other medicines, supplements, or antacids need to be separated or avoided because of potential drug interactions.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Effective Is Biktarvy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is an effective antiretroviral regimen. The primary goal of HIV treatment is to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When a person maintains an undetectable viral load through effective HIV treatment, they do not sexually transmit HIV to their sexual partners. This is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Side Effects and Precautions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is generally well tolerated. Common side effects reported with Biktarvy include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Diarrhoea&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nausea&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Headache&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Important Safety Monitoring&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kidney Health:&lt;/strong&gt; Biktarvy can cause or worsen renal impairment in some people. Healthcare professionals may assess kidney function before and during treatment, particularly in people with existing kidney problems or other risk factors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hepatitis B Co-infection:&lt;/strong&gt; People with HIV should be assessed for hepatitis B before starting treatment. Biktarvy contains medicines that are active against hepatitis B. Stopping Biktarvy in someone who has HIV and hepatitis B can cause a serious flare of hepatitis B, so treatment should not be stopped without medical advice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Drug Interactions:&lt;/strong&gt; Biktarvy interacts with certain medicines. It should not be taken with &lt;strong&gt;rifampicin&lt;/strong&gt; or dofetilide. Other medicines, including some anticonvulsants, may also interact with Biktarvy. Products containing polyvalent cations, such as aluminium, calcium, iron, or magnesium, can affect bictegravir absorption. Some products may need to be separated from Biktarvy, while calcium- or iron-containing products may be taken with Biktarvy when taken with food. Follow your healthcare professional&#39;s instructions on timing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cost and Access&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is a branded HIV treatment manufactured by &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.gilead.com/&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gilead Sciences&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Cost and availability vary depending on the country, health insurance, national healthcare programmes, and local access arrangements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A local sexual health clinic, HIV specialist, or pharmacist can provide information about availability and treatment costs in your area.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequently Asked Questions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Biktarvy cure HIV?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;No. There is currently no cure for HIV. Biktarvy suppresses HIV replication and can help people achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load and support immune health, but treatment needs to be continued as prescribed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Biktarvy be used for PEP or PrEP?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis):&lt;/strong&gt; Biktarvy may be used for HIV PEP in eligible people under current clinical guidance. The 2025 U.S. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/rr/rr7401a1.htm&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CDC nPEP guidelines&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; list bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide as a preferred regimen for adults and adolescents without relevant contraindications. PEP should be started as soon as possible after a potential exposure and no later than 72 hours afterwards, and the recommended course is 28 days. The CDC notes that these listed medications are used off-label for nPEP. You can learn more from the CDC nPEP Guidelines.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis):&lt;/strong&gt; Biktarvy is not an ongoing PrEP regimen for people who do not have HIV. PrEP uses specific medicines and formulations that have been evaluated and recommended for HIV prevention.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What happens if I miss a dose?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you frequently miss doses or have difficulty taking treatment consistently, speak with your HIV healthcare professional. Maintaining consistent treatment is important for viral suppression and reducing the risk of drug resistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Biktarvy safe for long-term use?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Biktarvy is an established HIV treatment that can be used long-term when it is appropriate for the individual. As with any HIV treatment, ongoing medical care and monitoring are important. Your healthcare professional may monitor kidney function, viral load, and other laboratory markers based on your health and treatment history.&lt;/p&gt;

Biktarvy (HIV Treatment): How It Works, Uses & Safety

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