Biktarvy® (BIC/FTC/TAF)

CNS-Related Adverse Drug Reactions

This document is in response to your request for information regarding Biktarvy® (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide [BIC/FTC/TAF]) and central nervous system (CNS)–related adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This response was developed according to principles of evidence-based medicine and contains data from Gilead clinical trials and prospective studies (N≥40).

Some data may be outside of the US FDA-approved prescribing information. In providing this data, Gilead Sciences, Inc. is not making any representation as to its clinical relevance or to the use of any Gilead product(s). For information about the approved conditions of use of any Gilead drug product, please consult the FDA-approved prescribing information.

The full indication, important safety information, and boxed warnings are available at:
www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/biktarvy/biktarvy_pi.

Summary

Product Labeling1

The primary safety assessment of BIC/FTC/TAF was based on data from two randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trials, Trial 1489 and Trial 1490, that enrolled 1274 adult participants with HIV-1 and no ARV treatment history through Week 144. CNS‑related adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of participants in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm of either study included headache, abnormal dreams, dizziness, and insomnia. Any-grade depression occurred in <2% of participants in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm in either study. Suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and depression suicidal occurred in 2% of participants administered BIC/FTC/TAF; these events occurred primarily in subjects with a preexisting history of depression, prior suicide attempt, or psychiatric illness.

BIC/FTC/TAF Use and CNS-Related ADRs

In four BIC/FTC/TAF registrational studies of ARV-naive (Studies 1489 and 1490) or VS (Studies 1878 and 1844) PWH, rates of CNS-related ADRs were low; drug-related headaches were uncommon up to Week 240.2-5 Overall, 8/1206 participants (0.66%) discontinued BIC/FTC/TAF due to CNS-related AEs.4-8

In the MIND study, Grade 2 to 4 CNS AEs occurred at a similar rate between VS PWH who switched from DTG/3TC to BIC/FTC/TAF and those participants who stayed on DTG/3TC (P=0.688). Discontinuation rates due to CNS AEs were also similar between groups.9

BIC/FTC/TAF Use and CNS-Related PROs

Data on CNS-related PROs reported in PWH on BIC/FTC/TAF are presented below.10-12

BIC/FTC/TAF Use and CNS-Related ADRs

CNS-Related ADRs in ARV-Naive PWH

Studies GS-US-380-1489 and GS-US-380-1490

Studies 1489 and 1490 were two phase 3, prospective, randomized, double-blind, active‑controlled clinical trials that compared BIC/FTC/TAF (n=314 in Study 1489, n=320 in Study 1490) to DTG/ABC/3TC (n=315) or DTG + FTC/TAF (n=325) in ARV-naive PWH. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were similar between treatment arms.2,3

CNS‑related adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of participants in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm of either study included headache, abnormal dreams, dizziness, and insomnia. Any-grade depression occurred in <2% of participants in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm in either study. Suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and depression suicidal occurred in 2% of participants administered BIC/FTC/TAF; these events occurred primarily in subjects with a preexisting history of depression, prior suicide attempt, or psychiatric illness.1

Table 1. CNS-Related Adverse Reactions (All Grades) Reported in ≥2% of Adults With HIV-1 and No ARV Treatment History Receiving BIC/FTC/TAF in Studies 1489 or 1490 (Week 144 Analysis)1a

aFrequencies of ADRs are based on all AEs attributed to study drugs by the investigator. No adverse reactions of Grade 2 or higher occurred in ≥1% of participants treated with BIC/FTC/TAF.

Participants who completed the 144-week blinded treatment phase were given the option to participate in an additional 96-week open-label extension on BIC/FTC/TAF. Pooled CNS‑related ADRs observed through Week 240 that occurred in ≥2% of participants were headache (5%), fatigue (3%), insomnia (2%), and dizziness (2%). CNS-related serious ADRs were reported in 3 participants: generalized tonic-clonic seizures, suicide, and dizziness. Discontinuation due to CNS-related AEs occurred in 3 participants: depression (n=1), paranoia (n=1), and depression, sleep disorder, tension headache, and insomnia (all occurring in 1 participant and considered study drug related). At Week 240, 9 deaths were reported, including 1 due to suicide that was not considered study drug related.6,13

CNS-Related ADRs in VS PWH

Study GS-US-380-1878

A phase 3, randomized, open-label clinical study compared outcomes between VS PWH who switched to BIC/FTC/TAF 50/200/25 mg (n=290) and participants who stayed on a baseline regimen of boosted DRV or ATV + 2 NRTIs (n=287).5 The CNS-related ADR reported in ≥2% of participants in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm was headache (5%). Most cases of headache with BIC/FTC/TAF occurred within the first 4 weeks (incidence: 6.2%); all AEs of headache were Grade 1 or 2 in severity. At Week 48, the incidence of headache was 0.5%, and the prevalence was 2%.5,14 In the BIC/FTC/TAF arm, 1 participant discontinued due to schizophrenia, which was considered study drug related by the investigator.5

Study GS-US-380-1844

A phase 3, randomized, double-blind study evaluated safety and efficacy outcomes in VS PWH who switched to BIC/FTC/TAF (n=282) compared with those who stayed on a baseline regimen of DTG + ABC/3TC or DTG/ABC/3TC (n=281).4,15

Through Week 48, CNS-related ADRs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm were headache (3%) and abnormal dreams (<1%) in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm and headache (3%), abnormal dreams (2%), and insomnia (1%) in the DTG/ABC/3TC arm. In the BIC/FTC/TAF arm, there were 4 CNS-related AEs leading to discontinuation: headache (n=2), abnormal dreams (n=1), and suicidal ideation (n=1). All except suicidal ideation were considered study drug related. In the DTG/ABC/3TC arm, 1 participant discontinued due to headache, which was considered treatment related.4

MIND study9

A randomized, double-blind study in VS PWH evaluated whether switching from DTG/3TC to BIC/FTC/TAF improved neuropsychiatric safety and tolerability after 24 weeks compared with continuing DTG/3TC (N=80). Eligible participants had a diagnosis of sleep, mood, substance use, or neurocognitive disorders and were randomly assigned (1:1) to each treatment group. Overall, participants had a high burden of neuropsychiatric comorbidities at baseline, and there were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups.

There were no differences in the rates of any-grade AEs between the BIC/FTC/TAF and DTG/3TC groups, including anxiety (14.6% vs 5.1%, respectively), insomnia (7.3% vs 7.7%), depression (7.3% vs 5.1%), headache (4.9% vs 15.4%), and suicidality (4.9% vs 2.6%). Grade 2 to 4 CNS AEs were reported in 6 patients (8 events) in the BIC/FTC/TAF group and in 7 patients (9 events) in the DTG/3TC group (P=0.688); 1 serious AE was reported in each group (BIC/FTC/TAF, suicidality; DTG/3TC, unspecific CNS AE). CNS AEs resulted in study drug discontinuation for 3 participants in the BIC/FTC/TAF group and 2 participants in the DTG/3TC group.

There were no significant differences between treatment groups in all other PRO scores and HIV-related symptoms.

BIC/FTC/TAF Use and CNS-Related PROs

Data on CNS-related PROs reported in PWH on BIC/FTC/TAF are presented below (Table 2).

Table 2. BIC/FTC/TAF Use and CNS-Related PROs10-12

Abbreviation: BL=baseline.

References

1. BIKTARVY, Gilead Sciences Inc. BIKTARVY® (bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets, for oral use. U.S. Prescribing Information. Foster City, CA.

2. Gallant J, Lazzarin A, Mills A, et al. Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide Versus Dolutegravir, Abacavir, and Lamivudine for Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infection (GS-US-380-1489): A Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 3, Randomised Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial. Lancet. 2017;390:2063-2072.

3. Sax PE, Pozniak A, Montes ML, et al. Coformulated Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide Versus Dolutegravir With Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide, For Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infection (GS-US-380-1490): A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Trial. Lancet. 2017;390:2073-2082.

4. Molina JM, Ward D, Brar I, et al. Switch to Bictegravir/F/TAF From DTG and ABC/3TC [Presentation 022]. Paper presented at: Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunisitc Infections (CROI); 04-07 March, 2018; Boston, MA.

5. Daar ES, DeJesus E, Ruane P, et al. Efficacy and safety of switching to fixed-dose bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide from boosted protease inhibitor-based regimens in virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1: 48 week results of a randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. The Lancet HIV. 2018;5(7):e347-e356.

6. Orkin C, DeJesus E, Sax PE, et al. Three-Year Outcomes of the Fixed-Dose Combination Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide vs Dolutegravir-Containing Regimens for Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infection: Week 144 Results from Two Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Trials. The Lancet HIV. 2020;7:e389–400.

7. Orkin C, Sax PE, Arribas J, et al. Long-term Efficacy and Safety of Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide in ART-Naïve Adults [Poster PE3/14]. Paper presented at: 17th European AIDS Conference; 06-09 November, 2019; Basel, Switzerland.

8. Wohl D, A. P, Workowski K, et al. B/F/TAF FIVE-YEAR OUTCOMES IN TREATMENT-NAÏVE ADULTS (Abstract). Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. 2022.

9. Corona-Mata D, Crussellls MJ, Velasco-Arribas M, et al. Randomized, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and convenience of switching from dolutegravir/lamivudine to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in people with HIV, good virologic control and neuropsychiatric comorbidities: Week 24 results from the GESIDA 11920 - MIND Study [Poster O43]. Paper presented at: HIV Glasgow; November 10-13, 2024; Glasgow, UK.

10. Antinori A, Yokomaku Y, Elinav H, et al. Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction in People with HIV Switching to Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide: Pooled Analysis from Observational Cohort Studies. Infect Dis Ther. 2025.

11. Wohl D, Clarke A, Maggiolo F, et al. Patient-Reported Symptoms Over 48 Weeks Among Participants in Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Non-inferiority Trials of Adults with HIV on Co-formulated Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide versus Co-formulated Abacavir, Dolutegravir, and Lamivudine. The Patient. 2018;11(5):561-573.

12. Rossetti B, Ferrara M, Taramasso L, et al. Evolution of Self-reported Neuropsychiatric Symptoms After Switching from Dolutegravir/Abacavir/Lamivudine to Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide: Results from the Randomized DOBINeuro Trial. Infect Dis Ther. 2024:1-12.

13. Sax PE, Arribas JR, Orkin C, et al. Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide as initial treatment for HIV-1: five-year follow-up from two randomized trials. EClinicalMedicine. 2023;59:101991.

14. Gilead Sciences Inc. Data on File.

15. Molina JM, Ward D, Brar I, et al. Switching to fixed-dose bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide from dolutegravir plus abacavir and lamivudine in virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1: 48 week results of a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, active-controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. The Lancet HIV. 2018;5(7):e357-365.

Abbreviations

3TC=lamivudine
ABC=abacavir
ADR=adverse drug reaction
AE=adverse event
ARV=antiretroviral
ATV=atazanavir
BIC=bictegravir
BICSTaR=BICtegravir Single Tablet Regimen
CNS=central nervous system
DRV=darunavir
DTG=dolutegravir
FTC=emtricitabine
HIV-SI=HIV Symptom Index
HIVTSQs/c=HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire status/change version
MCS=Mental Component Summary
NRTI=nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor
PCS=Physical Component Summary

PRO=patient-reported outcome
PSQI=Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
PWH=people with HIV
QoL=quality of life
SF-36=36-Item Short Form Health Survey
TAF=tenofovir alafenamide
VS=virologically suppressed
WPAI=Work Productivity and Activity Impairment

 

Product Label

For the full indication, important safety information, and boxed warning(s), please refer to the Biktarvy US Prescribing Information available at:
www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/hiv/biktarvy/biktarvy_pi.

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