bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate at a glance
Medicine class
Combination antiretroviral: one integrase strand transfer inhibitor and two reverse-transcriptase inhibitors.
Licensed role
Treatment of HIV-1 without present or past viral resistance to bictegravir or tenofovir.
Food
May be taken with or without food, although food affects interactions with some mineral products.
Swallowing
Do not chew or crush. The selected scored tablet may be split for swallowing, but both halves must be taken immediately.
What is bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate used for?
Its UK-licensed use is:
Treatment of HIV-1 in adults and children aged at least 2 years and weighing at least 14 kg, provided there is no present or past viral resistance to bictegravir or tenofovir.
It is not licensed as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis or as a cure for HIV.
How does bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate work?
Bictegravir blocks HIV integrase. Emtricitabine and activated tenofovir interrupt reverse transcription and construction of new viral DNA. Together, they suppress HIV replication.
bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 30 mg + 120 mg + 15 mg, 50 mg + 200 mg + 25 mg
How to take bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
It may be taken with or without food. Ask the HIV clinic or pharmacist before using antacids or mineral products because they can affect absorption.
Swallow the film-coated tablet without chewing or crushing.
If needed, split the selected scored tablet and take both halves immediately; do not store it after splitting.
Keep tablets in their original, tightly closed bottle. Leave the desiccant inside and do not swallow it.
bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Diarrhoea or nausea
- Tiredness
- Depression or abnormal dreams
- Weight gain
Get urgent medical advice
- Painful blistering or peeling rash, mouth or genital blisters, or painful red eyes
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, especially with breathing or swallowing difficulty
- Suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, particularly with previous depression or psychiatric illness
- New or worsening signs of inflammation or infection
- Significant reduction in kidney function or evidence of renal tubular injury
bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate in pregnancy
Discuss pregnancy promptly with the HIV and maternity teams and do not stop treatment without specialist advice. Available data have not identified malformative or fetal toxicity, but exposure can be lower during pregnancy, so close viral-load monitoring is advised. Antacid and mineral-product use also needs review.
bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate while breastfeeding
The product information advises against breastfeeding because active substances enter breast milk and HIV can be transmitted this way. Formula feeding has zero postnatal HIV-transmission risk. Anyone with sustained viral suppression wishing to breastfeed should discuss this early with the specialist perinatal HIV team because close monitoring is required.
bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate interactions
Ask the HIV clinic or pharmacist to check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products. Important examples include:
Rifampicin
Contraindicated because it markedly lowers bictegravir exposure and may cause loss of HIV control and resistance.
St John’s wort
Contraindicated because it can lower bictegravir and tenofovir alafenamide concentrations.
Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital or phenytoin
Not recommended because they can reduce antiretroviral exposure and treatment effectiveness.
Common questions about bictegravir sodium + emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It treats HIV-1 in eligible adults and children without present or past viral resistance to bictegravir or tenofovir.
Does it cure HIV?
No. It suppresses HIV replication and helps protect immune function, but HIV remains in the body.
Can it be used as PrEP?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.