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Overview: Bixlenvo is used to treat HIV. It combines two medicines that work together to stop HIV from multiplying in the body. The most common side effects are headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Bixlenvo interacts with other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take before you start Bixlenvo. Missing doses of Bixlenvo can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.

Uses

What is Bixlenvo used for?

Bixlenvo (bictegravir/lenacapavir) is commonly used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Learn more about Treating HIV With Bixlenvo

Bixlenvo may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Bixlenvo work (mechanism of action)?

Bixlenvo contains two medicines: bictegravir and lenacapavir. They work together to stop the spread of HIV in your body.

How is Bixlenvo supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Bixlenvo

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 75 mg/50 mg oral tablets

How should I store Bixlenvo?

Bixlenvo should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. The bottle has a desiccant that will protect the medicine from moisture and keep it dry. Do not remove the desiccant from the bottle or eat the desiccant. Keep the lid tightly closed.

Side Effects

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Bixlenvo?

The most common side effects of Bixlenvo are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of Bixlenvo that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Bixlenvo?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Bixlenvo are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Bixlenvo may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Bixlenvo and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Bixlenvo?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Bixlenvo.

  • Bictegravir
  • Bixlenvo
  • Lenacapavir
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Bixlenvo.

Drug Interactions. Bixlenvo should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Bixlenvo, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Bixlenvo before using it?

Do not take Bixlenvo unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. 

Request refills of your medicine when your supply runs low, but before you run out of your medicine. This will reduce the risk that you miss any doses. Missing doses can make this medicine not work as well. 

Do not share Bixlenvo with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Bixlenvo out of the reach of children.

When you first start taking Bixlenvo you will likely take another medicine with it for the first 2 days. It is very important to follow these instructions in order for your medicine to work the way that it should. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns. 

While Bixlenvo can help keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Also, Bixlenvo does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

Taking antacids or supplements with Bixlenvo can make it not work as well. Talk to your health care provider about the best way to take antacids and supplements while taking Bixlenvo.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Bixlenvo?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Bixlenvo is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Hepatitis B. Bixlenvo does not treat hepatitis B. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, your health care provider may need to monitor you closely and/or change your treatment plan. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns. 

Pregnancy. Bixlenvo may be used by certain people during pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Bixlenvo, your health care provider can register you in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Both of the medicines in Bixlenvo are known to pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking Bixlenvo and having HIV.

How can I get more information about Bixlenvo?

For more information about Bixlenvo, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.bixlenvo.com or call them at 800-445-3235.

Interactions

Does Bixlenvo interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Bixlenvo and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Bixlenvo.

Does Bixlenvo interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Bixlenvo.

  • Any other medicine for HIV or AIDs
  • A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm (antiarrhythmic), such as digoxin or dofetolide
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Rifampin (Rifadin) or rifapentine (Priftin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • An ergot, such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal, Trudhesa, and others) or ergotamine (Ergomar), which is a medicine used to treat migraine
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • A statin, such as lovastatin (Mevacor and others) or simvastatin (Zocor), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • An opioid, such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, or tramadol which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain
  • An opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, which is a medicine used to reverse the effects of an opioid pain medicine
  • An antacid, supplement, or laxative containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron 
  • Sucralfate (Carafate), which is a medicine used to treat ulcers
  • A phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), which is a medicine used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • A benzodiazepine, such as midazolam or triazolam, which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Bixlenvo. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Bixlenvo. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Bixlenvo?

If you or someone else has used too much Bixlenvo, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Bixlenvo?

Missing doses of Bixlenvo can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.

Day 1 or 2: If you miss a dose of Bixlenvo, take it as soon as possible. If you are unsure what to do, contact your health care provider.

Day 3 and after: If you miss a dose of Bixlenvo, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it has been more than 7 days since your last dose, contact your health care provider for next steps.