Biktarvy side effects

What is Biktarvy used for?

What is Biktarvy? Biktarvy is a combination medicine used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It is a combination of three primary antiviral agents, such as bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. It is prescribed in adults and children weighing at least 14 kilograms.?

What is Biktarvy used for? Like other combination medicines, Biktarvy functions by inhibiting HIV from replicating and preventing it from advancing to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). This medication is part of antiretroviral therapy, which includes using combination drugs to treat the human immunodeficiency virus. The use of antiretroviral therapy makes HIV treatment more straightforward.

The antiviral agents contained in Biktarvy are categorized into different drug groups. These are as follows:

• Bictegravir – An integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that works by blocking a particular enzyme that HIV needs to replicate.
• Emtricitabine and Tenofovir – These are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that work by controlling viral growth inside the body.

The combination of these antiviral agents prevents the increase in the HIV population throughout the body. Taking Biktarvy inhibits the development of opportunistic infections and other health complications.

Biktarvy comes in tablet form. Its standard dosage for adults and children is as follows:

Usual Biktarvy Adult Dose:

• Take one tablet of Biktarvy once per day. One dose contains 50 mg bictegravir, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide.

Usual Biktarvy Pediatric Dose:

• For children weighing 14 kgs to less than 25 kgs, take one tablet of Biktarvy once per day. One dose contains 30 mg bictegravir, 120 mg emtricitabine, 15 mg tenofovir alafenamide.
• For children weighing 25 kgs and above, take one tablet of Biktarvy once per day. One dose must contain 50 mg bictegravir, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide.

Before taking Biktarvy, there are warnings and precautions you need to know about this medication. To ensure your safety with this medicine, tell your healthcare professional if you have a history of liver disease or kidney disease.

If you are pregnant, discuss this drug’s effects on your and your baby’s safety. Avoid breastfeeding if you have HIV. Additionally, do not use Biktarvy if you are allergic to its ingredients, particularly with the three antiviral agents.

Biktarvy side effects

Similar to other combination medicines, Biktarvy also has a list of adverse reactions. We listed these reactions according to their severity in HIV-positive individuals. Here is the list of Biktarvy side effects:

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Belching
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Indigestion
• Stomach upset
• Heartburn
• Trouble sleeping

Severe side effects:

• Shortness of breath
• Muscle pain
• Numbness
• Stomach pain
• Trouble breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Fever or chills
• Weight loss
• Enlarged thyroid
• Trouble speaking

Note: Immediate medical care is not necessary for the common side effects. Meanwhile, obtaining the needed treatment is essential if you experience severe adverse reactions. Hospitalization is often unavoidable if these reactions persist more extended than usual.

Alternative drugs

Some Biktarvy reviews are not favorable. Fortunately, alternative drugs are available today, thanks to the advancement in the medical field. Here is the list of HIV drug alternatives that you should know: