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

Biktarvy

Symtuza

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 Symtuza

Prescription only

Symtuza is a combination medication that treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It's a tablet that contains three antiretroviral (ARV) medications — darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide — and a "booster" that helps the ARVs work better against the virus called cobicistat . Symtuza, also known as DRV/c/TAF/FTC, is a complete therapy for people with HIV weighing at least 88 pounds. It's taken once daily with food. Some common side effects of Symtuza include nausea and diarrhea.

Indications for Symtuza

Treatment of HIV

Pros and Cons for Symtuza

Pros

Only taken once a day
Is a complete treatment for HIV
Can split tablet into two pieces with a pill splitter if you have trouble swallowing pills

Cons

Must take with food
Requires regular blood work and lab tests to make sure your liver and kidneys are healthy
Interacts with many medications, including blood thinners, statins, sedatives, and others

Common Side Effects for Symtuza

Diarrhea (9%)
Rash (8%)
Nausea (6%)
Feeling tired (4%)
Headache (3%)

Warnings for Symtuza

Worsening of hepatitis B infection in people with HIV and hepatitis B
Liver problems and lactic acidosis
Severe skin reactions and allergic reactions
Overactive immune system
Kidney problems
Changes in body fat
Bleeding in people with hemophilia
Interactions with other medications

Prices with our coupons for Biktarvy vs. Symtuza

Biktarvy30 tablets / 50mg/200mg/25mg

$4,117.99$5,153.13

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Symtuza30 tablets / 800mg/150mg/200mg/10mg

$4,593.92$5,532.40

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Biktarvy vs. Symtuza

Biktarvy

Symtuza

Summary for Biktarvy

Indications for Biktarvy

Pros and Cons for Biktarvy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Biktarvy

Warnings for Biktarvy

Summary for Symtuza

Indications for Symtuza

Pros and Cons for Symtuza

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Symtuza

Warnings for Symtuza

Prices with our coupons for Biktarvy vs. Symtuza

Compare other HIV Treatment drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Biktarvy

Symtuza

Summary for Biktarvy

Indications for Biktarvy

Pros and Cons for Biktarvy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Biktarvy

Warnings for Biktarvy

Summary for Symtuza

Indications for Symtuza

Pros and Cons for Symtuza

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Symtuza

Warnings for Symtuza