Abacavir / dolutegravir / lamivudine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Ime...
• February 29, 2020

For HIV Infection "Great pills! I'm using Tmq from 2017. My CD4 is 1200 and viral load is 0. In the beginning, it was 100,000, and after 1 month, it was 0. My CD4 was 200, and after 1 year of using Tmq, it was completely recovered, 1200, and it is like that for the last 2 years. I have very dry skin and some sleeping problems."

• NUR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2016

For HIV Infection "Ok... it's been 30 days and all is well... yes, I've had some ups and downs... anxiety attacks, fever, insomnia, stomach, and headaches... but overall I feel great... I've learned that taking my meds earlier than bedtime is better for me, and also that the side effects seem to be nonexistent when I'm well hydrated... (*DRINK PLENTY OF WATER....)"

• DEB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Triumeq for two weeks now after I completely stopped taking any meds for 4 months. My viral load was at 80,000, and in about two weeks, I have a doctor's appointment to recheck my general numbers again. Unfortunately, I have had several side effects from insomnia, bloating, stomach pains, fatigue, and dizziness. I'm hoping that as the weeks go by, my body will become accustomed to Triumeq and lessen my side effects. As per paying goes, my copay was supposed to be $100, however, the staff at my drugstore introduced me to a coupon from the makers of Triumeq, and the maker is covering my copay! I will update my comment once I've visited with my doctor... Namaste."

• NIC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2015

For HIV Infection "Update on prior review: After being on Triumeq for 4 months now and my third appointment with my I.D. doctor, I am very happy to report that my CD4 count is at 1473 and still undetectable. Other than some mild insomnia, I have no other side effects with this drug. I take Triumeq faithfully every night before I go to bed."

• MrT...
• October 7, 2016

For HIV Infection "After taking Complera for 5 years, switched to Triumeq a little over a month ago. Right after the first month, viral load undetectable and T-cell count unknown. Doctor did not check my T-cell count; I did not like that. The side effects are terrible, my heart beats fast, red face, high irritability, jaw stiffness/pain, awful headache, insomnia. In general, feeling highly intoxicated. Can't deal with it."

• Poz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed in July with an unknown infection date. First test showed a CD4 of 550 and VL of 38,000. Started medication late due to some fights with the insurance company. Took my first pill on September 7. Had my follow-up blood work drawn on October 3. I am now undetectable! No changes to my CD4, but I know it will increase. The only side effect I have noticed in my first month is some minor bloating. Had some trouble falling asleep for the first week, but I assume that was the power of suggestion having read all the possible symptoms. I know it is early on to review the medication, but I am undetectable in less than 30 days. I just wanted to share!"

• And...
• December 31, 2015

For HIV Infection "After a few years of carrying the virus, I was finally diagnosed. On October 9, 2015, my CD4 was 168 and VL was 61,800. After two weeks of treatment on Triumeq, my viral load went down to 849 and CD4 increased to 270. Side effects are: 1) Sometimes hard to fall asleep. Need to be really tired or in a very good mood before sleep. 2) Feeling a strange sensation in my pancreas area. Uncomfortable feeling. 3) Headaches and dizziness. 4) Itchy skin. Having problems with red eyes, especially if you do not sleep well for 2 or 3 days (traveling around the world). Waiting to do another test after 1.5 months of treatment to see results."

• TTT...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2019

For HIV Infection "I found I am HIV positive by the end of August 2018, and back then had VL over 1 million (really high) and CD4 around 650 (30%). I started the treatment with Triumeq by the end of October. For the first month, I was taking Triumeq before going to bed, and I experienced all side effects related to the central nervous system, such as insomnia, headache, tiredness, unfocused, etc. By the end of November, the VL had dropped to 650k, and CD4 went up to 1000 (40%). Despite the side effects that were clearly affecting my daily life, both personal and professional, because I was all the time tired and sleepy, the doctor and I agreed that I'd give one more month to Triumeq, switching it to the mornings. It literally solved all the side effects, I haven't experienced any of them since I started taking the pill in the morning. At the beginning of January 2019, around 2 to 2.5 months after starting the treatment, I'm undetectable, and in March I had again CD4 count and was still at a good level - 1050 (43%)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2015

For HIV Infection "I had been on Kaletra and Epzicom for years, then Isentress and Epzicom for about 2 years. Always undetectable, T cells 800 to 900 range. I started Triumeq, and my T cell count bounced up to 1100. I've had some 'side effects' listed, but I don't attribute them to this medication as I've had them before I went on Triumeq. Since prior medications had similar side effects (insomnia), they may have either transferred or, more likely, they are not related."

• Imi...
• March 28, 2016

For HIV Infection "I found out 6 years ago I was positive and found out at an early stage, maybe 3 to 4 months after catching the virus. I ignored the situation and my immune system was doing well. I only went to the hospital every 2 years just to know what stage the virus was at. In Feb 2010, I was diagnosed with VL-1112 and CD4-455. In Oct 2015, with no treatment, VL-3400 and CD4-425. Now I've decided to start taking the medication in Dec 2015 because I was worried about the strain on my immune system and the cuts in government in general. Now I've been taking Triumeq (the only treatment I've been on) and at the beginning, I had insomnia. My results as of last week are now VL-less than 40 and CD4-570."

• JoL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2021

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed in 2015 with a CD4 of 1,040 and a VL of 16,000. I postponed starting treatment due to my own internal shame and stigma and blocked it out of my mind. However, by December 2020, I was developing recurrent skin infections, constant tiredness, and a lack of appetite. I finally started Triumeq in June 2021 with a CD4 of just 42 and a VL of 550,000. At my 4-week check-up, my VL was at 990, CD4 not checked. At 3 months, my VL had dropped to 261 and CD4 at 171. I haven't experienced any side effects or negative issues with this medication. I suffered from insomnia for the first few days, but I think that was more down to nerves and starting a whole new chapter in my life. I've also put on around 3 lbs over the past 3 months, which is not an issue for me. I'm finally accepting being HIV positive and taking back control of something I feared more than life itself. I'm feeling healthier and more energized than I have done in years. I'm thankful for this medication."

• JJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2015

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Triumeq for eight months. It's the only one I have taken so far for HIV, so I can't really compare it to other treatments. But on March 6th, 2015, my CD4 was 300 and my viral load was 33,000,000. Today, my CD4 is 890 and my viral load is undetectable. I throw up maybe three times a week. I always, always feel tired. My depression is also worse, but my doctor didn't tell me it didn't mix well with two other pills I take for mental illness. I can't sleep most nights, and I'm always out of breath."

• NIC...
• November 25, 2016

For HIV Infection "Wow, been on this drug over one week. Trust me, you do not sleep at night. Tired, very stressed and frightful thoughts, nervous, cannot focus. If you have any mild type of stress, do not take this drug. As I can say, it might be a 1-a-day drug, but you will end up taking more drugs like painkillers, more drugs for stress. And for me, never, ever again will I use this drug."

• Sco...
• February 11, 2017

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed 5 years ago, been on Truvada and Isentress with no problems at all!! Doctor wanted to switch me to this because it's a lot easier (1 pill once a day). Been on this for the past week and have had horrible side effects. Dizzy, no sleep, nauseous, and body/joint pain. Switching back to my old medication tomorrow. Goodbye Triumeq!!!"

• Jjs...
• October 28, 2017

For HIV Infection "Had horrible sleep problems two weeks after, and then a few weeks later started getting a rash. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone, trust me, you do not sleep while on this drug. I switched to Epivir and Tivicay and have had NO issues at all."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in Oct 16, didn't start treatment until Jan 17. Take it at nighttime, do have disturbed sleep, but nothing in an afternoon nap can catch you back up with. It says you can have it with or without food - I found having an empty stomach made me feel sick, but it was too late once you took it as I couldn't eat anything after from feeling ill. Not sure about how effective it is, and not had a check-up."