Biktarvy is a prescription drug that treats HIV. It works by blocking the action of certain enzymes that the virus uses to make copies of itself. The effectiveness of this drug may vary based on your medical history and diagnosis.

Biktarvy (bictegravir sodium/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) works by blocking the action of certain enzymes that HIV uses to make copies of itself. (An enzyme is a type of protein that helps chemical reactions happen.) The way a drug works is called its mechanism of action.

Biktarvy contains three active ingredients from two different groups of drugs:

Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide block the action of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Bictegravir sodium blocks the action of an enzyme called integrase.

By blocking these enzymes from working, Biktarvy stops the virus from making more copies of itself. This suppresses the virus and helps reduce your viral load.

If your viral load becomes so low that it’s undetectable on lab tests, the virus cannot be transmitted to someone else through sex, and there is a lower risk that the virus will be transmitted through pregnancy, breastfeeding, or sharing needles.

Taking Biktarvy also allows your CD4 count to increase. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cells. Increased CD4 levels make your immune system stronger at fighting infections and cancers.

Biktarvy starts working against HIV within the first hour after you take a dose.

If you’re switching to Biktarvy from other HIV drugs, Biktarvy will start working right away to keep your viral load undetectable. (“Undetectable” means that the level of virus in your blood is too low to be measured with lab tests.)

If you haven’t taken HIV drugs before, it may take up to 6 months for Biktarvy to lower your viral load to an undetectable level.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.