Possibility of virus rebound and protective measures after discontinuing Bikken Pronol Tablets (Bituvi)

Biktarvy tablets (Biktarvy) are a fixed-dose combination oral medicine, containing bictegravir (Bictegravir), emtricitabine (E mtricitabine) and tenofovir alafenexatexil (TAF), mainly used to treat HIV infection. It works synergistically to inhibit viral replication and maintain the viral load in the blood below detectable levels, thereby delaying immune system damage and preventing AIDS-related complications. However, once a patient stops taking the drug or has a medication interruption, HIV replication may quickly resume, leading to viral rebound.

The risk of viral rebound after discontinuation of treatment is mainly related toHIV the high replication capacity of the virus and the existence of latent virus reservoirs in the body. HIVhas long-term latent storage sites in the body, such as memory T cells and lymphoid tissues. Even if the long-term viral load is maintained at an undetectable level, these latent viruses will still be activated and replicate rapidly after drug withdrawal. Clinical studies have shown that after discontinuing Bikronol tablets, the HIV viral load in the blood of most patients may increase rapidly within days to weeks, and some patients may even suffer from immune system damage and a decrease in CD4+ T cells, thereby increasing the risk of infection and complications.

In addition, virus rebound during drug withdrawal may also bring the risk of drug resistance. HIVhas the characteristics of high variability and rapid replication. When the drug concentration drops to the point where it cannot effectively inhibit the virus, the virus may mutate to escape the effect of the drug and form a drug-resistant strain. This will not only reduce the future efficacy of Bikeren Pronol Tablets, but may also affect the use of other related antiviral drugs. The emergence of drug-resistant strains will significantly increase the difficulty of subsequent treatment and may limit the available drug options, so treatment must be discontinued with caution.

To reduce the risk of virus rebound, patients should take strict protective measures. First, avoid discontinuing the medication on your own, and any dose adjustment or discontinuation decisions should be made under the guidance of a professional physician. If the drug must be temporarily discontinued due to special circumstances, doctors may develop alternative or transitional plans based on the patient's viral load, CD4+ level and past drug resistance history to maintain viral suppression as much as possible. Secondly, protective measures should be strictly observed during drug withdrawal and high-risk behaviors should be avoided, such as unprotected sex or blood exposure, to reduce virus transmission. Finally, the viral load and immune indicators should be rechecked as soon as possible after stopping the drug, and the antiviral treatment plan should be resumed or adjusted under the guidance of a doctor to ensure that the virus is effectively controlled again.

In clinical practice, educating patients about the risks of drug discontinuation, regular monitoring and establishing a close follow-up mechanism are the keys to preventing viral rebound. Through standardized medication and protective measures, the vast majority of HIVInfected individuals can maintain long-term viral suppression, reducing the risk of HIV-related complications and transmission. The high efficacy and good tolerability of Bikeren Prenol Tablets can provide patients with stable and safe antiviral treatment under long-term and standardized use. However, when discontinuing the drug, risks must be strictly assessed and scientific management measures must be adopted to prevent viral rebound and drug resistance.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/