Biktarvy vs. Atripla for HIV Treatment: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Biktarvy

Atripla

Summary for Biktarvy

Prescription only

Biktarvy is a combination antiretroviral medication. It contains bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF). Biktarvy is a complete treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It's approved for adults and children who weigh at least 30 pounds with HIV. Biktarvy is a first-choice option for people starting HIV treatment. This medication comes as a single tablet and is taken by mouth once daily. It can cause side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and headache.

Indications for Biktarvy

Treatment of HIV in people weighing at least 30 lbs:
- Who are starting treatment for the first time
- Who've tried other HIV treatments that haven't worked well enough and who don't have resistance to certain HIV medications
- Who want to switch HIV treatment and have a viral load of less than 50 copies/mL

Pros and Cons for Biktarvy

Pros

Complete HIV treatment in a single tablet
Only taken once a day, with or without food
First-choice option for people who've never been treated for HIV before
Possible option during pregnancy

Cons

Can interact with certain antacids (must take several hours before or after)
Must store tablets in the original bottle
Not recommended for people with severe kidney or liver problems
Not approved for people who weigh less than 30 lbs

Common Side Effects for Biktarvy

Higher creatine kinase levels (8%)
Diarrhea (6%)
Nausea (6%)
Headache (5%)

Warnings for Biktarvy

Worsening of hepatitis B infection in people with HIV and hepatitis B
Overactive immune system
Kidney problems
Liver problems and lactic acidosis
Interaction with other medications

Summary for Atripla

Prescription only

Atripla is a combination antiviral medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It's a tablet that has three active ingredients: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Atripla is for adults and children who weigh at least 88 lbs. You take it once a day by mouth on an empty stomach. Some side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and depression. The brand name Atripla isn't sold anymore, but you can still get this medication as a generic.

Indications for Atripla

HIV treatment

Pros and Cons for Atripla

Pros

Is a full HIV treatment regimen
Combines 3 HIV medications into 1 tablet for convenience
Taken once a day
Not likely to cause weight gain
Okay for children weighing at least 88 lbs to take

Cons

Must take on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime
Might have strange dreams while taking
Interacts with other medications, including some other HIV medications and hepatitis C medications
Risk of kidney and bone problems
Not recommended for people with moderate or severe kidney or liver problems

Common Side Effects for Atripla

Tiredness (9%)
Depression (9%)
Nausea (9%)
Diarrhea (9%)
Dizziness (8%)
Upper respiratory tract infections (8%)
Sinus infection (8%)
Rash (7%)
Headache (6%)

Warnings for Atripla

Worsening of hepatitis B infection in people with HIV and hepatitis B
Liver problems
Effects on mental health
Side effects related to the nervous system (e.g., dizziness, trouble sleeping)
Kidney problems
Bone problems
Lactic acidosis
Overactive immune system
Changes in body fat
Interactions with other medications
Harm to an unborn baby

Prices with our coupons for Biktarvy vs. Atripla

Biktarvy30 tablets / 50mg/200mg/25mg

$4,114.74$5,263.68

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Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir90 tablets / 600mg/200mg/300mg of

$90.32$5,383.40

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Biktarvy vs. Atripla

Biktarvy

Atripla

Summary for Biktarvy

Indications for Biktarvy

Pros and Cons for Biktarvy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Biktarvy

Warnings for Biktarvy

Summary for Atripla

Indications for Atripla

Pros and Cons for Atripla

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atripla

Warnings for Atripla

Prices with our coupons for Biktarvy vs. Atripla

Compare other HIV Treatment drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Biktarvy

Atripla

Summary for Biktarvy

Indications for Biktarvy

Pros and Cons for Biktarvy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Biktarvy

Warnings for Biktarvy

Summary for Atripla

Indications for Atripla

Pros and Cons for Atripla

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atripla

Warnings for Atripla