Skip to main content

Compare
Biktarvy vs. Symtuza

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

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

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

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

Price Card Drug Icon
Biktarvy30 tablets / 50mg/200mg/25mg of
$4,116.95$5,158.89
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Symtuza30 tablets / 800mg/150mg/200mg/10mg of
$4,593.92$5,533.79
Get free coupons
More Information

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.