Truvada User Reviews & Ratings

Truvada has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 35 reviews on Drugs.com. 55% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

Condition	Avg. Rating	Reviews	Compare
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis	5.8	19 reviews for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis	4 medications
Nonoccupational Exposure		1 reviews for Nonoccupational Exposure	25 medications
HIV Infection	6.7	15 reviews for HIV Infection	71 medications
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Reviews for Truvada

Anonymous
February 12, 2015

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I can't believe there aren't Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis reviews here yet! I've been on PrEP treatment for a little over 6 months and its been uneventful. Nothing, nada, zilch has happened. Except, despite a huge increase in sex. I had a bad hypomanic episode last year that translated into poor choices), I don't have HIV. So, I suppose it's worked! No noticeable side effects for me. All blood work (kidneys/etc) are in the normal range."

9 / 10

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61 Report

William
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
October 28, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "DO NOT take Truvada or Descovy if you care about your face and waistline. It's better just to abstain. I took Truvada for six months and my cheeks lost fat and are sunken in. Plus, the fat redistributed to my waist and became even more dense. I took this medicine to save myself from HIV, but didn't realize I'd end up looking like a ghoul in the process. STAY AWAY FROM THIS STUFF."

1 / 10

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23 Report

jnmitch
Taken for 2 to 5 years
January 19, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "My husband and I have been taking Truvada as PrEP for the past 3.5 years. The only symptom we both experienced during the first few weeks was a very localized and nearly constant mild headache located just above and behind the palate - very much like where one would feel a "brain freeze," which sensation is far more unpleasant, though of much shorter duration, than the side-effect we experienced when starting of Truvada. The headache wasn't debilitating and we were able to tolerate it without taking pain relievers. Aside from those initial "ice cream" headaches, we have tolerated Truvada very well and our lab results have always returned normal. Perhaps the best positive effect we've experienced from taking Truvada every day is an enormous reduction in psychological stress, anxiety and fears about HIV transmission. We learned what "undetectable" status really means and have been able to overcome the social and sexual stigma of HIV. Undetectable = Untransmittable! #UequalsU"

9 / 10

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27 Report

Frequently asked questions

RQano
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
October 17, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Truvada worked out fine for a couple months, had mild headaches and some nausea the first couple of days when I started taking it. Then it was all good for a while. But a recent physical with a urine test showed I had abnormal kidney function, Stage 2 CKD (which is pretty mild but still concerning). I thought at first I was just experiencing my usual insomnia and general soreness, but they got worse the longer I was on the medicine. Definitely stopping Truvada use and switching to another type of PreP."

5 / 10

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15 Report

Hair...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
April 28, 2020

For HIV Infection "I been using Truvada for almost 5 years, my numbers are okay, recently became undetectable, I notice a major sleeping problem, my knees, ankles and back always hurting while I'm on quarantine so much time off decided to do some research, I am only 46 and have more pain than a 90 year old, I am sure I can blame Truvada for that"

1 / 10

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15 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

OkiCo
January 2, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I took Truvada for a year a PrEP. For the entire 12 months I vomited and had intense nausea just about everyday. Labs were always normal, and doctors said side effects would go away, they never did. I’m in a long term sero-discordant relationship with someone who has an undetectable VL, and normal CD4 count, We both have several long term regular play partners. Vomiting every day is not normal, and subsided once I D/C’d the Truvada. I’ve essentially gone back to condoms, and my regular partners don’t mind. Truvada is obviously not for everyone, but helps prevent infections in those who can tolerate it. I highly discourage taking the medication if your side effects continue past the time they’re supposed to subside, I have damage to my esophagus related to vomiting Nearly everyday for a year. Not worth it for me, the medicine Does protect against infection but not a justification to puke and feel like death everyday. Don’t think I’ll risk it with descovy."

6 / 10

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12 Report

Johnn...
August 29, 2013

For HIV Infection "I started Truvada once a day along with Isentress twice a day and my HIV Load was 28,000 and CD4% 31%. After 40 days my HIV load is <20 and CD 4% 32,7. Excellent improvement considering I have experienced ZERO side effects and all other lab work came out well. I am 49 yrs old and very active."

10 / 10

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22 Report

Anon
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
May 12, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I take TRUVADA for 1 year now as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) my lab results have always come back normal and HIV negative . I sometimes visit bath houses which are very risky places and always remained HIV negative. My only side effects I had was some diarrhea the first week and about 40 pounds in weight loss maybe due to appetite loss. Other then that prep has been effective and an amazing drug in my opinion."

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12 Report

Sex...
June 29, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have taken Truvada for 2 years. For 2 months, I had nausea and vomiting. I didn’t drink or use any drugs. I had no side effects, for a time. At one point I went off Truvada and started it again a couple months later. I experienced the nausea and vomiting all over again for a month. After resuming drinking for about 6 weeks, I had headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, urinary symptoms, etc. I read that alcohol can worsen side effects of Truvada, and stopped drinking. Many side effects have subsided. Ongoing side effects which trouble me are urinary frequency and urgency, and a feeling of extreme pressure when my bladder is even slightly full, and extreme thirst. I have also had trouble swallowing. Was tested for bladder infections and STI’s and have ruled those out. My concern is that it might be damaging my kidneys. I have testing 2 weeks from now, and am anxious to see my kidney values!"

4 / 10

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12 Report

Bad...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
March 10, 2020

For HIV Infection "After taking Truvada with seemingly zero issues I had a nagging spine ache issue. Finally the pain landed me in the ER and after many tests and scans I was informed I have Degenerative Disc Disease. This disease in incurable but not life threatening. I wasn't informed that is a side effect of Truvada which I continued taking and my pain issues grew much worse. Once being informed of the link to Truvada I switched meds and the pain stayed but stopped accelerating. If your spine gives you any pain on Truvada TELL YOUR DOCTOR. The pain can become debilitating"

1 / 10

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10 Report

A-Chi...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
April 10, 2017

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I'm been taking Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PREP) now for over 3 years. It's kept me HIV negative, thankfully. However, the longer I'm on it the more issues I have with sleep and irritability... I also feel like I'm not very enthusiastic as I was before taking PREP. This can all be tied to the sleep problems that I feel are a side affect of TRUVADA. So I'm not completely free of side affects. But I am glad that their is a pill we gay men can take to protect us from HIV."

8 / 10

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15 Report

71 days
Taken for 1 to 6 months
January 1, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I had my first 90 day Truvada prescription and I stopped taking it after I got my kidneys tested on day 71 (12/20/19). The creatinine level raised to 1.7 and GFR was 57. I was ordered a kidneys test on 12/31/19 for safety due to being sick. The creatinine level again raised up to 2.0 and GFR dropped to 38. I was recommended to get another test after a week to see if the kidneys will get better. I'm nervous because I expected the kidney would start getting back to normal after I had stopped Truvada but no."

1 / 10

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10 Report

Anonymous
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
April 5, 2022

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Taking for precautionary reasons, as my spouse is HIV positive, but undetectable. Been taking as prescribed for 6 months. Tests come back in the desired range every time, but I have been experiencing nausea and vomiting every morning for the most part since beginning Truvada. Doctor doesn't appear terribly concerned and suggested taking in the morning. I hate vomiting, but completely worth it to be able to safely make love to my husband."

8 / 10

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5 Report

Letst...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
August 7, 2021

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have been taking Truvada for about 9 months now. No major side effects. Slight headache in the beginning and an ongoing low appetite. My lab results have been good thus far. I'm concerned over the fact that when I mention Truvada use to friends they immediately say "we don't take that one anymore". I have raised the issue with the doc and the response is that Truvada is a lot safer now than in the beginning . Anyone have more insight into this? Have remained HIV -."

8 / 10

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6 Report

Heart...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
June 18, 2017

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Tried Truvada twice as PrEP, including this spring. Both times my heart rate went crazy during my regular exercise routines starting about 3 weeks after going on the medication. I'm discontinuing Truvada again, and hoping my heart returns to normal behavior in a couple weeks, as it did last time."

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10 Report

Dave
Taken for 1 to 6 months
April 11, 2018

For HIV Infection "Doctor put me truvada as part of my medication for HIV, I almost died from it. My kidneys went down to 50%, luckily we caught it in time. The new medication is just one pill and the pill and myself get along."

1 / 10

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9 Report

Anonymous
December 24, 2011

For HIV Infection "I have been on the combination of Truvada/Prezista/Norvir for over 2 years now. The side effects that cause me the most problems are the ones dealing with my kidneys! The Truvada has made my GFR go down to 30, very close to changing medicines at that point. But it has been working so well that we took a very close monitoring of my kidney function, and my GFR has stabilized around 55. Other than that the side effects have been minimal to none. Great medicine overall!"

9 / 10

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15 Report

DWEBo...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
November 30, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I lost weight when starting this drug. YAY I also got cellulitis 4 times over a 6 month period. When I stopped Truvada, the cellulitis stopped. (Dermatologist suggested) When I waited a few weeks and started again, the Cellulitis immediately began and I stopped all together. I am HIV negative. Was only taking for PREP."

2 / 10

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7 Report

Edinb...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 27, 2021

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I've tried Truvada twice. The first time I was OK for the first 12 hours and then I was violently ill, vomiting 8 times in the day and couldn't function. I put that down to not having it with a meal or enough fluids and so I tried again two weeks later. This time I tried with a meal and water and I had the same result. Really severe reaction that totally floored me. I really want it to work but there is no way it is a mild side effect for me."

1 / 10

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4 Report

John
Taken for 1 to 6 months
May 20, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "The first day I took Truvada I had low appetite and a little grogginess, however the side effects were gone by the next day. I'm still not experience side effects. I'm glad that science has come a long way to protect us from HIV - I am taking it for PrEP."

10 / 10

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5 Report

Scott...
April 19, 2010

For HIV Infection "After one year on Truvada in combination with Prezista and Norvir - the only listed side effect I may be suffering from is insomnia - and I think that has more to do with other factors than with Truvada (I take it at Noon). After hearing about possible side effects with HIV medicines- it is a pleasant surprise!"

9 / 10

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12 Report

Sickl...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
October 18, 2015

For HIV Infection "I`ve been on truvada daily for more than 5 years. I have had numerous problems tho it has kept my viral load undetectable. Most recent issues are elevated creatine, elevated lipase, UTI`s, nausea, vomiting, bloating. They are slowly ruling out all other causes but I am suspecting it is the meds. I started on truvada, norvir and lexiva but after a few years on that combo my liver began to fail. They stopped the HIV meds then but opted to reintroduce the truvada as it's excreted thru kidneys and added isentress. That was changed to tivicay and truvada which is my current regimen."

3 / 10

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7 Report

Lipoa...
February 19, 2022

For HIV Infection "After 3 years in tivicay and truvada I lose fat from my face ; forehead, temples, cheeks, jawline. No other side Effects, I still play half professional football and train 5 times in week. If u have low body fat level when start treatment avoid this combination"

5 / 10

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2 Report

Sick...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
January 3, 2020

"I was unnecessarily prescribed Truvada post-exposure prophylaxis against the standard protocol at a clinic in Montreal. I was on it for a month. Midway through I developed what I thought were intestinal issues. I was told not to worry about it and that there would be no permanent side effects. After discontinuation the issue did not go away and instead got worse. I now have chronic pancreatitis. I am in constant pain. I can't sleep or eat. I've lost over 30 lbs in a month-and-a-half. It has completely ruined my life. DO NOT take this medication unless you are 100% positive that you absolutely have to."

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3 Report

Mike
Taken for 1 to 6 months
April 3, 2023

For HIV Infection "I had to take this medication because my wife tested positive. From the day I started this drug, I had a headache. This went on for a month until I had what appeared to be a stroke, but all the stroke tests were negative. Once I stopped taking this the headaches and the problem went away. I would use extreme caution before ever taking this drug."

1 / 10

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0 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.