Biktarvy® Tablets for HIV-1

Biktarvy® is a prescription tablet that combines bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide for HIV-1 treatment. It is a complete, once-daily regimen for adults and eligible children; this page outlines key uses, safety, and access. Available with US delivery from Canada, including options for those paying without insurance.

What Biktarvy Is and How It Works

At CanadianInsulin, orders are filled by licensed Canadian pharmacies after we confirm a valid prescription with your clinic. This combination regimen contains an integrase strand transfer inhibitor plus two nucleoside analogs. Bictegravir blocks the viral integrase enzyme, which the virus needs to insert its genetic material into human DNA. Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide work by interfering with reverse transcriptase, a key step in viral replication. Together, these components help reduce the amount of virus in the body. This treatment is a complete regimen, so it is not used with other HIV medicines in the same class or with overlapping components. Your clinician may order regular lab tests to monitor viral load, kidney function, and liver health while using this medicine.

Who It’s For

This medicine is indicated for adults and pediatric patients who meet labeling criteria. It may be used in people starting therapy for the first time, or as a replacement for a stable regimen when there is no known or suspected resistance to the components. People with chronic hepatitis B should be screened and monitored because stopping therapy can cause serious flares. Those with severe kidney problems or taking strong enzyme inducers may not be candidates. Review options in our category pages for context across regimens, including Hiv and the condition overview Hiv 1 Hiv 2 Dual Infection.

Dosage and Usage

The standard schedule is one tablet taken once daily, with or without food. Swallow whole with water. This regimen should not be taken with other antiretrovirals containing the same or similar ingredients. Antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium can lower absorption. Take the tablet at least two hours before or six hours after those antacids. Iron or calcium products can be taken together with food; if fasting, separate by at least two hours before the dose. Check the official label for guidance if you have reduced kidney function or if you plan to use medicines that affect liver enzymes. Keep a consistent timing routine each day. If you are unsure about spacing with vitamins or acid reducers, ask your healthcare professional or review the patient information leaflet.

Strengths and Forms

This therapy is supplied as film-coated oral tablets in bottles, typically 30 tablets per bottle. Commonly referenced strengths include 50/200/25 mg for adults and adolescents above a certain weight, and 30/120/15 mg for select younger patients. Availability can vary by pharmacy and jurisdiction. Your prescriber will choose the strength suitable for your weight and clinical status.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next scheduled time, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once. If you vomit within two hours of taking the tablet, the patient leaflet advises taking another dose. After more than two hours, do not take an extra tablet. Keep a daily alarm or reminder to maintain steady adherence.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in the original container with the desiccant inside, and keep the bottle tightly closed to protect from moisture. Avoid bathrooms and other humid areas. Keep out of reach of children and pets. For travel, carry the labeled bottle in a carry-on bag. Bring a copy of your prescription or a current medication list. Allow extra time for security screening if you travel with multiple medications. Do not repackage into unlabeled pill boxes when crossing borders, since original pharmacy labels help verify contents. If you will be away for an extended period, discuss refill timing and destination regulations with your prescriber and pharmacy.

Benefits

This regimen offers once-daily dosing and a complete combination in a single tablet. It can be taken with or without food for most people. The co-formulation reduces pill burden and helps support adherence. The treatment can be used to start therapy in appropriate patients or to streamline an existing regimen when no relevant resistance is present. Many patients appreciate having one pill rather than multiple separate medicines each day. Your healthcare professional will monitor response and adjust care based on labs and clinical status.

Side Effects and Safety

• Nausea or upset stomach, usually mild
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Abnormal dreams or sleep changes
• Mild rash

Serious side effects can occur but are less common. These may include new or worsening kidney problems, severe liver issues, lactic acidosis, or significant allergic reactions. People with chronic hepatitis B can have severe flares when therapy is stopped; do not discontinue without medical guidance. Weight gain has been reported with some modern HIV regimens. Mood changes and depression have been noted in rare cases. Seek urgent care for symptoms of severe weakness, breathing difficulty, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or swelling of the face and throat.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Some medicines can reduce levels of the integrase inhibitor or raise levels of other drugs. Do not use rifampin with this regimen. Rifabutin and rifapentine are generally not recommended. Certain seizure medicines, including carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin, may lower effectiveness. St. John’s wort can also reduce drug levels. Mineral-containing products can bind the integrase inhibitor and reduce absorption; separate dosing from aluminum and magnesium antacids, and follow label guidance for iron or calcium. Products such as Sucralfate and other aluminum-containing agents can interfere by the same mechanism. Some antiarrhythmics, such as dofetilide, may have dangerous interactions; review the label and consult your prescriber. This regimen can increase metformin exposure; monitoring may be warranted. For context on metabolic effects with antiretroviral therapy, see How Metformin Ameliorates. For broader regimen context, browse Hiv Infection options.

What to Expect Over Time

With regular daily dosing, many patients experience a steady decline in viral load and an increase in CD4 counts, as assessed by laboratory testing. Your clinician may check labs several times early on, then at routine intervals. Expect counseling on adherence and interactions at each visit. If side effects occur, many are mild and improve with time. If results do not meet goals, your prescriber may evaluate adherence, interactions, or resistance and consider a change. Continue safer sex and prevention practices, and keep vaccines up to date as advised by your healthcare professional.

Compare With Alternatives

Complete single-tablet options vary by patient profile and resistance history. Alternatives sometimes considered include dolutegravir/lamivudine (Dovato) for select adults, dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine (Triumeq) when abacavir is appropriate and HLA-B*5701 negative, or rilpivirine-based combinations such as Odefsey for specific viral load and food requirements. Two-drug regimens and long-acting injectables may also be options in certain cases. Explore categories that outline regimen families and selection factors in Hiv Infection. Your prescriber will match therapy to your history, labs, and potential interactions.

Pricing and Access

See current options and compare total costs at checkout. To understand the Biktarvy price and potential cash-pay savings, review the product page and follow the prompts. For limited-time offers, visit Promotions. We apply Canadian pharmacy pricing with clear fees and US fulfillment options. Orders ship discreetly, and checkout is encrypted. This service ships from Canada to US with prescription verification. If you use assistance programs, coordinate documents with your clinic and the dispensing pharmacy.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary. If the requested strength or bottle size is not available, your prescriber may recommend a clinically appropriate alternative or a temporary substitution that meets label criteria. The dispensing pharmacy will not change your therapy without a valid prescription. Ask your clinician about equivalent options if timing is critical.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This regimen may be a good fit for patients starting therapy who have no relevant resistance, or for those simplifying a stable program. It may not suit people on potent enzyme inducers, with significant kidney disease, or with certain arrhythmia medicines. Cost planning often improves adherence. Consider multi-month fills when appropriate, which can reduce per-fill fees and time. Set refill reminders to avoid gaps in therapy. Keep a single pharmacy and share a complete medication list to reduce interaction risks. If you change supplements or start new medicines, notify your prescriber so spacing and timing can be reviewed. Secure storage and travel planning help maintain consistent dosing, especially across time zones.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Starting criteria: confirm you are a candidate
• Baseline tests: viral load, CD4, hepatitis B
• Interaction review: antacids, minerals, supplements
• Side effects plan: what to watch and when
• Adherence support: reminders and follow-up labs
• Travel timing: refills and documentation
• Pregnancy and lactation: safety considerations
• Switching therapy: how to transition if needed

Authoritative Sources

For detailed, up-to-date information, see these official references:

• Gilead Prescribing Information
• FDA DailyMed
• Health Canada DPD

Ready to order with US shipping from Canada? Submit your prescription and complete checkout; your clinic and the dispensing pharmacy handle verification. This information is not medical advice. Always follow your clinician’s guidance and the official patient leaflet.