bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Name: bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir — FDA Drug Safety & Adverse Event Data
Creator: PlainMeds
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Reviewed byPlainmeds Editorial, Drug Information Editorial Team · June 5, 2026

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Brand names: Biktarvy

Integrase Inhibitor / NRTI Combination Rx

Biktarvy is a complete HIV-1 treatment for adults and children who weigh at least 31 pounds. It combines three medicines into one tablet to help control the virus.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$128.87/unit

Generic Available

GILEAD SCIENCES INC

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

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What it does

Biktarvy treats Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) in adults and children weighing at least 31 pounds.

Common side effects

Diarrhea, Nausea, Headache

Key warnings

If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, stopping Biktarvy can cause your hepatitis B to suddenly get worse.

How It Works

Biktarvy contains three drugs that each block HIV in different ways. Bictegravir stops HIV from inserting its DNA into your cells. Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide interfere with an enzyme HIV needs to make copies of itself.

How to Take It

Take one Biktarvy tablet once a day. You can take it with or without food. If you are on hemodialysis, take Biktarvy after your dialysis treatment. For children unable to swallow a whole tablet, the tablet can be split and each part taken separately as long as it is all taken within approximately 10 minutes.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take Biktarvy during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Biktarvy if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. There is not enough data to assess the risk of major birth defects.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Biktarvy, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Storage

Store Biktarvy at room temperature.

Serious Warnings

If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, stopping Biktarvy can cause your hepatitis B to suddenly get worse. Your doctor will need to monitor your liver closely for several months after you stop taking Biktarvy. You may need to take medicine for hepatitis B.

Known Drug Interactions

major rifampin

Antimycobacterials: rifabutin rifampin , Strong inducer of CYP3Aand P-gp, and inducer of UGT1A1. rifapentine ↓ BIC ↓ TAF Coadministration with rifampin is contraindicated due to the effect of rifampin on the BIC component of BIKTARVY [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Mechanism: Rifampin speeds up how fast your body breaks down the HIV medicine, which makes the HIV medicine less effective. This can cause the HIV virus to become harder to treat.

What to do: Do not take these two medications together. Your doctor will need to find a different antibiotic that does not interfere with your HIV treatment.

major dofetilide

Coadministration of BIKTARVY with drugs that are substrates of OCT2 and MATE1 (e.g., dofetilide) may increase their plasma concentrations (see Table 3 ). Clinical Comment Antiarrhythmics: dofetilide ↑ Dofetilide Coadministration is contraindicated due to the potential for serious and/or life-threatening events associated with dofetilide therapy [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Mechanism: The HIV medicine blocks the way your body removes the heart medicine dofetilide, causing it to build up to dangerous levels. High levels of dofetilide can cause life-threatening heart rhythm problems.

What to do: These drugs must not be used together. Your doctor will need to find an alternative treatment to avoid serious heart risks.

moderate metformin

Metformin ↑ Metformin Refer to the prescribing information of metformin for assessing the benefit and risk of concomitant use of BIKTARVY and metformin.

Mechanism: This HIV medication can increase the amount of metformin that stays in your blood. This happens because the medicine interferes with how metformin is cleared from your system.

What to do: Your doctor should watch you closely for metformin side effects and may need to lower your metformin dose.

minor sertraline

7.6 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with BIKTARVY Based on drug interaction studies conducted with BIKTARVY or the components of BIKTARVY, no clinically significant drug interactions have been observed when BIKTARVY is combined with the following drugs: ethinyl estradiol, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, midazolam, norgestimate, sertraline, sofosbuvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.

Mechanism: These two medications do not have any meaningful effect on how the other is processed by the body.

What to do: You can safely take these medications together without any special dose changes.

minor estradiol

Mechanism: Clinical studies show that these drugs do not interfere with each other when taken at the same time.

What to do: No adjustments to your treatment are needed when using these two drugs together.

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Common Questions

Can I take Biktarvy with other HIV medicines?

No, Biktarvy is a complete treatment and should not be taken with other HIV medicines.

What tests should I have before starting Biktarvy?

Your doctor should test you for hepatitis B before you start Biktarvy.

Can Biktarvy affect my kidneys?

Yes, Biktarvy can cause new or worsening kidney problems. Your doctor will check your kidney function before and during treatment.

What are the symptoms of lactic acidosis?

Symptoms include feeling weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, feeling cold, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Can Biktarvy cause liver problems?

In rare cases, Biktarvy can cause serious liver problems. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pain in your upper right stomach area.

Can I take Biktarvy if I have severe liver problems?

Biktarvy is not recommended if you have severe liver problems.

What drugs should I avoid while taking Biktarvy?

You should not take Biktarvy with dofetilide or rifampin.

Can Biktarvy be used in children?

Yes, Biktarvy can be used in children weighing at least 31 pounds.

How will I know if Biktarvy is working?

Your doctor will monitor your HIV viral load to see if the medicine is working.

What should I do if I think I have a side effect from Biktarvy?

Tell your doctor right away if you have any side effects while taking Biktarvy.

What are the common side effects of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir?

The most commonly reported side effects of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir include Diarrhea, Nausea, Headache. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.

Does bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir interact with other medications?

Yes, bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir has 19 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include rifampin, dofetilide, metformin. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.

What drug class is bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir?

bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir belongs to the Integrase Inhibitor / NRTI Combination drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Biktarvy treats Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) in adults and children weighing at least 31 pounds.

Is bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir safe during pregnancy?

There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take Biktarvy during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Biktarvy if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Integrase Inhibitor / NRTI Combination

Other drugs grouped near bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir — same-class peers and common alternatives.

acyclovir

Zovirax

Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine.