Atripla for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 2)

• Flower
• January 24, 2013

"I have been living with HIV for the last 13 years and currently been on Atripla for the last 18 days. I must say that it gave me very restless nights, insomnia. But the bright side is that it works perfectly if taken last in the night when about to go to bed. My question is, does this medicine also deposits fat from the hips to the waist? It's been working well as its one tablet a day. I thank God for giving me a second chance and praying that I will live to see the next 20 years."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2010

"I was diagnosed in April 2010. My CD4 count was 10, yes 10...I know, not good. I had been researching the multitude of HIV antivirals for some time, knowing my test results were going to show I was HIV positive. Decided Atripla was likely to be the best for me. My doctor put me on it right away and within 1 month my CD4 count was already up to 134. VL is also coming down quite rapidly as well. You can't beat one pill a day. I take it at bedtime and have not noticed any serious side effects. I will occasionally wake up in the morning feeling as though I had just fallen asleep, even though I've been in bed for 8 hours and totally out."

• Young...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2014

"I was diagnosed with HIV early this year and I was 19. As an individual you freak out. I started Atripla and the only symptom I have is very vivid dreams my doctor told me my status is great. And I had blood work done recently and they are amazing."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2012

"I have been taking Atripla for just over 24 months. I was recommended to start after my CD4 dropped to around 400 after 2 years of contracting the virus. I was advised to take before bed, did this for the first 2 months and suffered vivid dreams and also insomnia, 3 months later a month of diarrhea. I decided to move my dose until around 5pm on an empty stomach so I could then eat my dinner for around 18:30 each night. Usually go to bed before midnight and have had no further issues with sleep or any other side effects. CD4 on average around 1000 and undetectable. Just weird having to take medicines when you feel fine. I hope I get another 20 years from this medication, by this time I'm sure there will be advancements in treatment."

• CHIto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2013

"I was diagnosed with HIV in December of 2012 with a CD4 count of 220 and Viral Load of 332,000. I almost died in September due to PCP and was bed ridden for a month. After three months of treatment with Atripla, my CD4 is almost 500 and Viral Load of 2,000. I'm almost undetectable! I changed my whole life around due to this virus and I never have felt so grateful to be living. I'm at the gym 3-5 times a week, eating healthy meals, cut out excessive binge drinking and smoking, and plan on going back to school to finish off what I want to do. The first month of treatment will be the hardest, but after that, it's smooth sailing. Also, check out Atripla Co-Pay assistance, they will pay around $400.00 to help you afford this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2012

"I was hospitalized on 5/1/12 and instantly went on Atripla. My CD4 count was only a 28! I was hospitalized because I had PCP pneumonia. After being on Atripla for 2.5 months my CD4 soared to 770. My HIV doctor told me that the results were unbelievable. I take my pill at night before bed and experience no side effects. Thankfully the state of Virginia gave Atripla to HIV patients if their CD4 count is below 500 and you don't have insurance."

• Captain...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2016

"Got diagnosed may last year after losing a third of my body weight. Had viral load in the millions and cd4 count of 90. I kinda suspected I might have hiv from the night sweats. So got diagnosed, and put on Atripla. I had visions of throwing up all the time and a life of misery. So, I started taking this stuff, 1 a day as per docs recommendations. I chose 10pm as my time as it seemed the best for me. No side effects, no feeling sick, nothing. Within 6 months was undetectable, weight back on. Live in uk, so meds are free. There are no restrcitions, you can drink etc. Many times I've washed my pill down with a sip of wine. I feel that I am a symbiotic lifeform. I like it, feel great,my grey hairs have gone ."

• SLond...
• November 22, 2010

"I was diagnosed in late August 2010, with a CD4 of 130 and a viral load of 136,000, Candida and Kaposi's sarcoma. I began taking Atripla in early September and for a few nights I was a bit dizzy if I got up in the early hours & had some very vivid dreams & minor aches/pains. No nausea. Now, I get the occasional vivid dream - nothing to worry or complain about. In only 6 weeks my viral load went undetectable and CD4 rose to 240. Candida was treated and went and KS has so far faded by approximately 80%. Fantastic medication that produces extraordinary, life-saving results."

• bush...
• March 17, 2012

"I'm from Canada I found out I was infected in April of 2009. Thought I had a flu that I couldn't shake and throat infection. I laughed when they said have you been tested for HIV. I had in the past soIi took the five min test and it was positive. They took blood and got back to me CD4 was under 40, viral load well over a million. I was advanced AIDS. I was scared to start Atripla or any medicine but glad I did. It kicked me in the head for a few weeks. Even years after I get light headed or get a body buzz. Atripla has done wonders."

• Atrip-
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2015

"I tested poz on feb 8. 2008 i didn't start Atripla till 2013 my v_load was 450...cd4..was97.000...within 30days i was undetectable cd4..1400...been on this medicine for three years now an i only have short term memory lost just of little thinks i love this medicine im alive healthy an also have good people in my corner thanks Atripla your tha best"

• Gods...
• April 8, 2015

"I was diagnosed last April 2014 I believe I was infected June 2013 that was the only time I experienced a really bad cold with night sweats, high temperture, chills. I thought it was just a cold. I was together with my partner for 10 years and he never disclosed that he knew. I kept on seeing billboards regarding HIV and it felt as if they were in every corner. I got tested and it came out positive in April 2014 I was freaked out. Cd4 at 450, I decided to take atripla yesterday 4/7/15 because I felt I needed for my own health I was freaked out and still am. No side affects other than drowsy at night and a bit of insomnia. Let's see how this works for my body. I pray I look normal. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2013

"In Dec 2012, I was diagnosed with HIV. After another 2 weeks of testing, I was found to have a Viral Load (VL) of 10,000 and CD4 of 700. I was very sad, but thankful I found this early. By the time my Dr. referred me to a specialist, 1 month had passed. In Jan 2013, my VL was 27,000 and CD4 was 680. I wanted to go on antiretrovirals as soon as possible. On Jan 15th, 2012, after 2 weeks of waiting for more test results, I started taking Atripla. On Jan 18th, I had my VL and CD4 rechecked. My VL was undetectable, and my CD4 was still at 680. Literally, in 54 hours, my VL had went to undetectable. Its now June 2013, and my VL is still undetectable, however, my CD4 count has not increased (670). The first few days are rough, but its been smooth sailing since."

• Just...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2014

"I have been using Atripla now for about three months. I haven't gotten my second blood test. However, when I began taking Atripla my CD4 was 386 and my viral load was 85K. I was experiencing acute respiratory problems. As soon as I began taking Atripla within several weeks my lymphnodes began to shrink and the respiratory issue (persistent cough) went away. Side Effects: Severe Drowsiness ("Drunk Feeling") - 24hrs Severe Nausea - 24hrs Vivid Dreams - 2 weeks (Mostly clowns and snakes) Sleepiness - 2 weeks ... I still only take Atripla at night, but it no longer makes me as sleepy as it did when I first started taking it I do not yet know how my numbers have improved. I'll report back in a few weeks with those."

• Saved...
• July 2, 2010

"Never thought I'd be raving about a drug but here I am. I was well on my way to meet my maker before I got on Atripla. It's been over 2 years now and I am happy to say that it has saved my life! I don't drink, I don't smoke, I've never done drugs for recreation, and I was always against taking medications. I was scared to death of the possible side effects of Atripla before taking the plunge because I had such a queasy stomach. Thankfully the side effects were only a problem for me in the first month. I am now healthier than ever, I have vivid dreams again, and my severe depression has gone away! I also believe that Atripla has made me smarter! However, I can't stay up late anymore and I must stay in bed counting sheeps until I fall asleep."

• Vikings...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2015

"I have been HIV+ since 1988. Refused treatment till 1996 because I felt fine - but I abstained from penetrative sex. In 1996 I started treatment as my CD4 and Viral Load were bad!!! Fortunately I responded well to all meds over the years. Have been on Atripla for over 7 years now. Works well for me - CD4 always above 800 and VL undetectable. I take it at night because of the dizziness it causes for first few hours. My only problem now is lipodystrophy - excessive fat in abdomen area despite healthy eating and dieting. Struggling to keep weight between 180 - 190. Would love to get down to 170. I exercise daily too! Docs don't want to change my meds as I am responding well to it. No other side effects for me."

• Scottie...
• April 20, 2016

"In 2012 , was having black outs. I would get up in the morning and pass out, I would wake up and loss 10 to 12 hours. Did not know what was going on. Was out with friends and was having trouble talking, thought I was having a stroke. Was taken to the hospital, I was there 4 days, found our I was HIV +. Viral Load was 4 million. Organs were shutting down. Was given Atripla. Within 3 months I am undetetable and TC count was 750. I do have the Dreams, and some times night sweats. But Atripla saved my life."

• well...
• January 5, 2013

"On Atripla for more than a year and I'm just loving it. Last week I had my blood test done and its undetectable, and my CD4 is 1350 although I had flu 2 weeks ago and I thought it will drop down. Thank you Atripla."

• GLano
• June 29, 2010

"I've been on Atripla for 3 years now. According to my test I am undetectable. When I discussed medication options, Atripla was the one that caught my attention right away. A once-a-day pill that is to be taken at night before going to bed. I've not conditioned myself to associate bedtime with my medication. I did notice how much more vivid my dreams became. And that if I take my dose and stay up, that I feel awful. I've cut out going to bed a 3 am. I've been told that missing one dose is like missing 10 days of the medication. So, be sure to ALWAYS take the medicine. DO NOT MISS DOSES! I'm having a great quality of life."

• Treal
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2016

"I was diagnosed with HIV/Aids in the late part of April of 2015. At the time I knew nothing about the infection but soon after I became even more ill the infection attacked my heart. I stayed in the hospital for six months, which at the time my CD4 was only 3 and my viral load was like 3million. I was really close to death. But I got this great doctor who thought Atripla would work for me so I started the pill. So when I left the hospital in October my CD4 had come up slowly to 89 and viral was at 100,000. Since then I have relearned to walk and every thing. Its January and presently I'm Undetectable and CD4 is at 500. There was a time as well for about a week where I had stopped taking the meds due to insurance stuff. All and all turned ok"

• U...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 18, 2015

"i was diagnosed in 2009. Started atripla in 2012. No side effects that I could feel and last lab in June 2015 viral load <20 no detectable and CD4 1192. I feel great and love only having to take one pill a day"

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2011

"I was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS on April 4, 2011, and began taking Atripla daily on April 12, 2011. At that time, CD4 count was 17, and my viral load was 188,000. I was most likely HIV-positive for about 6 years (+/-) before my diagnosis, but was always afraid to get tested for fear of the result. As of July 11, 2011, after just 3 months of starting Atripla, my CD4 count is 120, and my viral load is 179. I couldn't be more pleased with the results. GET TESTED!!!"

• PUPITU
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2015

"i reported first in august 2014. my 6 mo labs on sept 6, 2014: CD4: 1050, VL: undetectable (<20), CD4/CD8: 0.8 but: high creatinine, somewhat elevated ALT, AST, high 3glycerides. my 10 month labs on jan 13 2015: CD4: 1080, VL: 116 (blip...), CD4/CD8: 1.2, kidneys back to normal, but: even higher ASL, ALT than last time, high 3glycerides. 12 mo labs on march 4, 2015 overall clinical situation: liver seems to be suffering (efavirenz), i get crabby and angry more easily than before, i seem disinterested in things i used to be interested before. so -- cant wait to change. doc talking about abacavir/lamivudine/nevirapine (kivexa + viramune). i asked if i can have triumeq but he doesn't like dolutegravir's unkown longterm side effects"

• loves...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 4, 2012

"I had initial T-cell count of 175 (full blown AIDS) & viral load of 220,000 almost 4 years ago. I began Atripla and within 6 months my numbers were sensational; T-cells 600 and viral load was/is undetectable. The crazy dreams were minimal. I miss solid bowel movements but that is a very low price to pay for my health and peace of mind. I went back to college a couple of years ago and I can not take the medicines and stay up really late to do homework because it feels really weird and my head spins but if I take it and go right to bed then I feel nothing unusual. I have never paid attention to the not eating for two hours guidelines and have noticed no issues. I am eternally grateful for Atripla."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2011

"I've been taking this medicine for 13 months. My CD4 count is normal and virus load undetectable. I'm grateful for this medicine, I know it's saving my life, but I still don't like it and here's why; 1. Mood changes. Since I've started taking it I've been moody and find it hard to concentrate. I'm sure this medicine is mildly psychoactive. My dreams are vivid and sometimes I get terrifying nightmares and wake up screaming. 2. Price. 3. This goes back to #1, but I haven't really felt "myself" since I started this medicine. I feel a sense of unreality to my thoughts and sensations. "

• Danie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2016

"Diagnosed in July 2016. I suspected it was HIV when I broke out in several(roughly 12) canker sores in Mouth. I googled this and HIV was listed as possible cause. Had no other symptoms. On August 9th before taking medication my results were Viral Count 396 and CD4 544. Been on Atripla since the 9th. As of November 11th my results were Undetectable and CD4 737. So it does work for me at least. The first few days/week I did have side effects. Basically dizziness. It was really bad first couple days. After first week I really.have not had side effects that I notice. I can't measure depression level of drug because 10 year relationship ended, diagnosed with cancer, and HIV diagnosis all same week kind of make anyone depressed. Take before bed!!"