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Drugs Dictionary: Bictegravir

Bictegravir

Trade Name

Biktarvy (brand name; no generic yet); combination of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF)

Classification

Antiretroviral combination; integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) + nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Dosage/Route

  • * Dosage: Fixed-dose tablet: 50 mg bictegravir, 200 mg emtricitabine, 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide
  • * Route: Oral (PO)

Usual Dosage

  • * Adults/Children (≥25 kg): 1 tablet PO once daily, with or without food
  • * No dose adjustment for mild-moderate renal/hepatic impairment; avoid if CrCl <30 mL/min (unless on dialysis)

Mechanism of Action

  • * Bictegravir: Inhibits HIV integrase, preventing viral DNA integration into host genome
  • * Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide: Inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase, blocking viral RNA to DNA conversion. Together, they suppress HIV replication, reducing viral load

Side Effects & Adverse Effects

  • * Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue
  • * Adverse Effects:
    •      – Lactic acidosis/hepatomegaly (rare; boxed warning for NRTIs)
    •      – Renal impairment (tenofovir; monitor CrCl)
    •      – Immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS; inflammation as immunity recovers)
    •      – Bone density loss (tenofovir-related)

Nursing Management (Implications & Teachings)

  • * Implications:
    •      – Monitor renal function (CrCl, urine protein) and liver enzymes baseline/periodically.
    •      – Assess for lactic acidosis signs (weakness, abdominal pain, dyspnea).
    •      – Ensure adherence (missed doses increase resistance risk).
    •      – Check for drug interactions (e.g., avoid rifampin, antacids with bictegravir).
  • * Teachings:
    •      – Take same time daily; don’t skip doses.
    •      – Report yellow skin, dark urine, or severe fatigue.
    •      – Use barrier contraception (doesn’t prevent HIV transmission).
    •      – Avoid OTC antacids within 2 hours of dose

Indication for This Patient

HIV-1 infection: Complete regimen for treatment-naïve adults or virologically suppressed patients switching therapy (no prior INSTI resistance)

Time

  • * Timing: Once daily, any time (consistency key)
  • * Onset: Viral load reduction in days to weeks; full suppression in months
  • * Duration: Lifelong unless switched

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