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:
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Truvada
Also available as:
Emtricitabine-TenofovirDisoproxil, TavinEM, TenvirEM $70.00 – $1,015.00Select optionsWhat is Truvada? Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil are the two HIV medicines that comprise Truvada. It is designed to help treat HIV. Apart from its treating quality, the medicine can also be administered as a PrEP medication. Use this medicine to treat children, adults, and adolescents, regardless of age and gender. Truvada is the brand name of Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil, …
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Atripla
Also available as:
Efavirenz-Emtricitabine-TenofovirDisoproxil, Viraday, Vonavir $104.00 – $1,600.00Select optionsWhat is Atripla? HIV treatment observes the rule of ART or antiretroviral therapy, which means taking a fixed-dose combination of ARV drugs. This form of treatment includes Atripla. This ARV drug is a combination of three different drugs. 600mg of efavirenz 300mg of tenofovir disoproxil 200mg of emtricitabine Atripla medication is also available under names such as Viraday …
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Combivir
Also available as:
Lamivudine/Zidovudine, Lazid, Duovir $64.00 – $795.00Select optionsWhat is Combivir (Lamivudine/Zidovudine)? Known as one of the fixed-dose combinations for HIV treatment, Combivir is comprised of 150 mg lamivudine and 300 mg zidovudine. This antiretroviral medication comes in the form of a tablet, perfect for adults and children who are at least 14 kgs. This drug can be purchased under the names Lazid and …
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Genvoya
$1,582.00Select optionsWhat is Genvoya? Containing four antiretroviral medicines, notably elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide, Genvoya is categorized as another form of fixed dose ARV medication. It is one of the used drugs for antiretroviral therapy. Take this coated tablet to relieve symptoms and treat viral infections caused by HIV. The said medication is suitable for children …
- Truvada
- Atripla
- Abacavir
- Combivir
- Complera
- Epivir
- Genvoya
- Lexiva
- Norvir
- Stribild
- Triumeq
- Viracept
- Viramune
- Reyataz
Take Biktarvy as instructed by your healthcare professional. Do not adjust your dosage unless there is an instruction provided to you. Following your Biktarvy prescription strictly will make your treatment efficient and effective.
Sources:
drugs.com/biktarvy.html
healthline.com/health/drugs/biktarvy#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-biktarvy-dosage#overview
drugs.com/sfx/biktarvy-side-effects.html
drugs.com/dosage/biktarvy.html
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