Can I drink alcohol while taking Biktarvy?

There is not a specific warning in the product label against alcohol (ethanol) consumption with Biktarvy, a medication used for HIV treatment. But drinking too much alcohol can damage your liver. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to drink alcohol while taking Biktarvy.

Before you start treatment with Biktarvy (bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide), tell your doctor if you have liver problems, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or a history of alcohol abuse. Excessive alcohol use can lead to liver disease and cirrhosis, which may affect your treatment. The use of Biktarvy is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

Severe liver problems, including a worsening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, can also occur with Biktarvy treatment. If you have HBV infection and take Biktarvy, your HBV may get worse if you stop taking Biktarvy. Do not stop your Biktarvy treatment or change your dose without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Specific symptoms you may notice if you have a liver problem includes:

• skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow
• dark “tea-colored” urine
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite for several days or longer
• nausea (upset stomach)
• pain in your stomach area

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these symptoms.

It is important not to miss any doses of your medication. If you choose to drink, use caution as this may affect your ability to remember to take your dose of Biktarvy.

Related questions

• Which medicines should not be taken with Biktarvy?
• What if I miss a dose of Biktarvy?
• Does Biktarvy cause weight gain?

Why do people take Biktary?

Biktarvy is apprpved by the FDA as a complete regimen for the treatment of
HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 14 kg:

• with no antiretroviral treatment history or
• with an antiretroviral treatment history and not virologically suppressed, with no known or suspected substitutions associated
• with resistance to the integrase strand inhibitor class, emtricitabine, or tenofovir, or
• to replace the current antiretroviral regimen in those who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen with no known or suspected substitutions associated with resistance to bictegravir or tenofovir

Learn More: Biktarvy Drug Interactions (in more detail)

This is not all the information you need to know about Biktarvy (bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor's directions about your treatment. Review the full product information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

Read next

See also:

Related medical questions

• Does Biktarvy cause hair loss?
• What is the difference between Biktarvy and Descovy?
• Can you crush Biktarvy tablets?
• Does Biktarvy increase cholesterol?
• Does Biktarvy cause acne?
• Is Biktarvy a protease inhibitor?
• How fast or how long does it take Biktarvy to work?
• Can Biktarvy be used for PrEP or PEP?
• Who are the actors in the Biktarvy commercials?
• Does Dovato cause weight gain?
• Is Biktarvy an immunosuppressant?
• Who is eligible for the Biktarvy Copay Card?
• What is Biktarvy used for?

Drug information

• Bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir Alafenamide (230 reviews)
• Biktarvy (227 reviews)

Related support groups

• Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (14 questions, 3 members)
• Biktarvy (27 questions, 29 members)
• HIV Infection (99 questions, 250 members)

Medical Disclaimer