What is the most important information I should know about BIKTARVY?
BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects:
- Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV). Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you
have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking
BIKTARVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse.
Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking
to your healthcare provider, as they will need to
monitor your health, and may give you HBV
medicine.
Who should not take BIKTARVY?
Do not take BIKTARVY if you take:
- dofetilide
- rifampin
- any other medicines to treat HIV-1
What are the other possible side effects of BIKTARVY?
Serious side effects of BIKTARVY may also include:
-
Changes in your immune system. Your immune
system may get stronger and begin to fight
infections that may have been hidden in
your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you
have any new symptoms after you start taking
BIKTARVY.
-
Kidney problems, including kidney failure.
Your healthcare provider should do blood and
urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop
new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you
to stop taking BIKTARVY.
-
Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic
acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical
emergency that can lead to death. Tell your
healthcare provider right away if you get these
symptoms: weakness or being more tired than
usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath
or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and
vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy
or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
-
Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can
lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right
away if you get these symptoms: skin or the
white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of
appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or
stomach-area pain.
The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in
clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%),
and headache (5%). Tell your healthcare provider
if you have any side effects that bother you or
don't go away.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking BIKTARVY?
-
All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have
or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus.
-
All the medicines you take, including
prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal
supplements. BIKTARVY and other medicines
may affect each other. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare
provider and pharmacist, and ask if it is safe to
take BIKTARVY with all of your other medicines.
-
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Tell your healthcare provider if you become
pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.
-
If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your healthcare provider
about the risks of breastfeeding during treatment
with BIKTARVY.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings.