Bictegravir, emtricitabine, tenofovir and alafenamide work together to help manage the symptoms of HIV. HIV slowly weakens your immune system. These medications combine in a tablet. You can take it with water as directed. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food.
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BICTEGRAVIR; EMTRICITABINE; TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE (bik TEG ra veer; em tri SIT uh bean; ten OF oh vir AL a FEN a mide) helps manage the symptoms of HIV infection. It works by limiting the spread of HIV in the body. It is a combination of three antiretroviral medications. This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and it may still be possible to spread HIV to others while taking it. It does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): BIKTARVY
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. You may cut the tablet in half. This may help you swallow the tablet if the whole tablet is too big. Be sure to take both halves within 10 minutes. Do not take just one-half of the tablet. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed on the prescription label. Do not skip doses. Skipping doses can make HIV resistant to this and other medications. Keep taking this therapy unless your care team tells you to stop.
Take antacids with aluminum or magnesium in them at a different time of day than this medication. Take this medication 2 hours BEFORE or 6 hours AFTER these products.
Take products with calcium or iron in them at the same time you take this medication with food.
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Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
This medication may also interact with the following:
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your care team about how to stop the spread of HIV.
If you have hepatitis B, talk to your care team if you plan to stop this medication. The symptoms of hepatitis B may get worse if you stop this medication.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Bottles: Store below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Keep this medication in the original container until you are ready to take it. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
Blister Pack: Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep this medication in the original packaging until you are ready to take it. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.