If you’re looking at treatment options for HIV, you may want to learn more about Biktarvy.

Biktarvy is a prescription drug that’s used to treat HIV in adults. It’s also used to treat this condition in children who weigh at least 14 kilograms (kg), which is about 31 pounds (lbs.). For this purpose, Biktarvy may be prescribed to people who:

  • have not previously received antiretroviral medications for HIV, or
  • are currently taking antiretrovirals for HIV, have an undetectable HIV blood level, and want to switch from their current treatment to Biktarvy

Biktarvy comes as tablets that you swallow. It contains three active ingredients* that work to treat HIV:

  • bictegravir
  • emtricitabine
  • tenofovir alafenamide

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Keep reading for details on Biktarvy and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Biktarvy, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Biktarvy can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Biktarvy, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Biktarvy. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Biktarvy in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Biktarvy requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Biktarvy requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Biktarvy and cost.

How much more might Biktarvy cost without insurance than with insurance?

Biktarvy’s price with insurance compared to the price without insurance can vary. This is because Biktarvy’s price depends on a few factors, including specifics about your insurance coverage (if you have it) and the pharmacy you use.

To find out the cost per month you may pay with or without insurance for Biktarvy, talk with your pharmacist. If you have insurance, you can also talk with your insurance provider.

Does Biktarvy’s manufacturer have a copay coupon or card available?

Yes, a copay card is available from Gilead, Biktarvy’s manufacturer.

If you have insurance, you may need to make a copayment (copay) for services, including prescriptions. This is a fixed amount that you may have to pay for your medication. Biktarvy’s copay card can help lower the amount you have to pay for your medication.

To learn more, including whether you’re eligible for the card, check out this site.

For other ways to get help paying for Biktarvy, see the “Can I get help paying for Biktarvy?” section below.

Biktarvy only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Biktarvy long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Biktarvy if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Biktarvy. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Biktarvy. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Biktarvy or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also qualify for a program called Gilead Advancing Access that can help with the cost of Biktarvy.

If you have insurance, you may need to make a copayment (copay) for services, including prescriptions. This is a fixed amount that you may have to pay for your medication. Biktarvy’s copay card can help lower the amount you have to pay for your medication. To learn more, including whether you’re eligible for the card, check out this site.

Note that if you have government-sponsored insurance, such as Medicare, you’re not eligible for Gilead Advancing Access or the copay card. Instead, check out these tips from the drug’s manufacturer for ways to save on your prescription.

If you still have questions about the cost of Biktarvy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Biktarvy.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • If I can’t afford my medication, what are my treatment options?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs I could use for treating HIV instead?
  • Does my Biktarvy dosage affect the cost?

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.