Question
Can Biktarvy cause an increase in liver enzymes?
21 August 2023. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects.
I have been on medication for many years, all working well but switched to Biktarvy in February. Had bloods at six weeks and all ok. Had bloods at 6 months and showing high liver enzymes (I think that’s what she called it). She said not to worry and the retest in two weeks (6 weeks after last bloods). I was told the Dr thinks it’s mostly my liver realising I have switched drugs.
I’m thinking about it now and am just wondering if that could be true as nothing showed at six weeks after switching medications? Also if raised at 6 months then surely that’s an indication of a potential problem? I’m going retested so it’s being followed up, I’m just getting a little worried. Even though I was told not to worry 🙈. I’ve never had any issues at all with my previous medication. Many thanks
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Yes. This is a normal thing. It was right of your doctor to say this is nothing to worry about.
Do you know high much higher your liver enzymes are in comparison to a normal range?
About 1 in 10 people experience an elevated liver enzyme in response to bictegravir, the specific drug in Biktarvy responsible for the rise.
These rises have not been linked to clinical injury or obvious problems with the liver. Usually a dose adjustment is not required.
Josh.
Hi Freya, it is good that your results are going down and that you have further tests booked. As your liver enzymes are not very high it is most likely you won’t need your medication changed again and that this rise in liver enzymes is not actually a problem.
Thanks for replying, I’ve just had my most recent blood results back and they are currently 69, the last result was 75. I’ve got more blood tests in 2 weeks and a liver scan and will discuss next steps after these. Apparently it’s not very high but has been a clear trend from changing the medication. It’s a bit frustrating as never had any issues on my first medication which I was on for years. But from your response if they find nothing wrong on the scan it may not mean changing the medication anyway.