What is the difference between Biktarvy and Descovy?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com Last updated on Oct 7, 2019.
Official Answer
by Drugs.comThe difference between Biktarvy (bictegravir, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, or BIC/FTC/TAF) and Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, or FTC/TAF) is that Biktarvy contains an extra active ingredient called bictegravir.
Bictegravir is classified as an integrase strand transfer inhibitor and works by blocking the action of integrase, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enzyme that promotes viral replication. Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that block the action of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that promotes the formation of DNA from RNA.
| Biktarvy | Descovy | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approved | February 7, 2018 | April 4, 2016 |
| How Supplied |
Each tablet contains:
|
Each tablet contains:
|
| Indications |
HIV-1 Treatment
|
HIV-1 Treatment
HIV-1 Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
|
Biktarvy and Descovy are both manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc.
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Drug Information
- Biktarvy
- Descovy
- Emtricitabine / tenofovir Alafenamide
- Bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir Alafenamide
