Abacavir / dolutegravir / lamivudine and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• HIV...
• February 24, 2017

For HIV Infection "I have been HIV positive for about 32 years. The last cocktail I was taking for about 8 years was Epzicom and Combivir. A year ago, I changed my regimen to Triumeq. Initially, the side effects I experienced were sleeplessness, nausea, and stomach gas, these symptoms lasted for about 3 months. Due to the sleeplessness, I started taking the medication in the mornings instead of the evenings. The first positive thing I noticed was that my skin became more hydrated and I had less skin eruptions. After one year on the medication, I feel very normal, I continue to work out 3 times a week and my energy level is high. My viral load remains undetectable and my CD4 went from 800 to 1,150. I am very happy that I made the switch to Triumeq."

• Sof...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2016

For HIV Infection "I started taking Triumeq almost two years after my diagnosis. I gave the drug a 9/10, as I've never taken another. I started on the medicine after months of being sick and immunity loss. My viral load was rising, and my CD4 was falling fast due to lifestyle choices. Getting on this medicine was a hard decision, but one I would make again, and this time I'd do it sooner. Within no time, I was undetectable, and my immunity doubled. My doctor told me it wouldn't work as quickly as it did, so we were both pleasantly surprised by my numbers. It has now been a year, still undetectable, and now 9 months pregnant with a healthy baby boy. I would recommend this drug to anyone with HIV who is offered it by their doctor. My side effects include upset stomach."

• NUR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2016

For HIV Infection "I started on Triumeq August 1, 2016. On the second day, I had a bad headache and a terrible stomach ache (both were relieved by Motrin and fresh ginger tea). Now, I must admit I feel better than I've felt in months! :-) Even though a side effect of the med is loss of appetite, lately I've been ravenous, eating more than I ever have, which is wonderful for me because I had lost a lot of weight lately and it showed."

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2017

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in January 2011. My own immune system was able to manage my HIV for a couple of years, but my health started to fail in 2013. I started with Atripla, and I'm still recovering from the extremely vivid nightmares I experienced. I switched to a couple of different combinations of drugs, but I couldn't adhere to the dosing schedules. Triumeq has been a godsend. One pill a day, and no nightmares. The only side effects I've experienced are upset stomach, weakness, and headaches. I had one very bad spell where I nearly lost control of my motor functions, and I fell in the bathroom and couldn't get back up for a short period of time. Otherwise, my CD count has been stable at ~800, and I've been undetectable since 2013."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2017

For HIV Infection "Was diagnosed 8/12/17, began treatment 9/25. I was super pumped. Initially had a slight rash and my thumb didn’t work, got too stiff to move two times for like a minute. Second day I felt great. High energy. Stayed up late. Yesterday I felt like butt all day. Sore. Stomach hurt. Especially when I swallowed food or drink. Today wasn’t a whole lot better. At least yesterday I could eat. I’ve taken 7 Advil over quite a long and now I can feel the crappiness coming back on. Called my ID specialist and she told me to stop taking it and come in tomorrow morning. I’m disappointed. But I gotta get healthy. My CD4 counts are 9 and viral load is 181,000. I just want to get better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2017

For HIV Infection "Was diagnosed in 2002, but started taking Truvada and Isentress in 2010 before being put on Triumeq. CD4 count was 700 and VL was undetectable. My doctor switched me over, and boy, the side effects are horrible. I had stomach aches every day, but as I take this medicine, they go away. I'm still undetectable, but I want my CD4 count to rise in the 1000s. I love that it is only one pill a day. I will get checked again in August to see the progress. My numbers have never dropped. Will post in August."