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What is Biktarvy used for?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on April 3, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Biktarvy is a tablet that contains three different antiviral medicines and is used to treat people infected with the HIV-1 virus (human immunodeficiency virus type 1).

Biktarvy can be used in patients weighing at least 14 kg who:

When specific antiviral medicines are used in conjunction with safe sex practices to prevent HIV infection, it is called Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Biktarvy is NOT used as PrEP.

What does HIV do to the body?

HIV is complicated in how and where it affects the body, but a simple version of what it does is:

Related questions

What effect does Biktarvy have on HIV?

Biktarvy contains three antiretroviral medicines (emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide, bictegravir) that work together to treat HIV infection by:

Bottom line

Biktarvy is used for HIV-1 treatment in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 14 kg and

Biktarvy is not used as PrEP to prevent HIV in at risk people.

References

Read next

Who are the actors in the Biktarvy commercials?

One actor and four real-life patients feature in the Biktarvy commercial “Keep loving who you are”, released on March 25th, 2020. They are Dimitri Moise, D’Eva Longoria, Zach [surname withheld], Nakeisa Jackson (Nikki), and Hugo [surname withheld]. The commercial was filmed at various locations including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Cape May, and San Antonio. Continue reading

Does Biktarvy cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a side effect with Biktarvy, but it was reported after the drug was approved and it's not known if it was caused by the drug. Studies have shown a weight gain of between 1 and 4 kg (2.2 to 8.8 lbs) over 2 years with integrase inhibitors. Continue reading

Do you have to take Biktarvy forever?

Biktarvy antiretroviral therapy (ART) is taken indefinitely for HIV-1 infection as it is a complete regimen for both initial and long-term treatment. Stopping ART can increase blood levels of the HIV virus, lead to resistance, increase your risk for HIV infections and complications and increase the chance that you may transmit the infection to others. Continue reading

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