Bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Jsw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2019

For HIV Infection "Newly diagnosed with HIV-1, love the treatment so far. Only initial side effects were some pretty intense and realistic dreams. My initial viral load was 1,330 copies per milliliter, while my CD4 count was around 1,100. Started treatment in June and only one month later my VL is down to 45 copies per milliliter (virtually undetectable) and my CD4 count has risen up to nearly 1,300. Would encourage at least talking to your healthcare provider about this treatment option!!!"

• pml...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For HIV Infection "I tried it for a week, and one day after taking the pills, my butt was very sore (it hurt to sit down), and then after another four days of taking the pill, I noticed a lot of red bumps on both of my thighs. So far, besides those two things, that's all of the side effects. If you have my side effects, please post your experience. Thanks!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

For HIV Infection "I was recently diagnosed with HIV around March 2021. I started taking Biktarvy with a viral load of 180k and CD4 count of 300. My doctor says I am responding well to treatment, as I am now undetectable, but I have the worst mood swings you can imagine. Constantly up and down. I also have a general feeling of feeling sick all the time and lethargic. I am scared to change medications. The hardest to deal with is the emotional side of it. Struggling with self-harm and depression right now. However, reading other people’s experiences has helped me realize it is not just me with side effects. I feel like I can feel the HIV in me, whereas before I was diagnosed, I felt normal."

• ano...
• June 13, 2023

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed a year ago in June 2022. I was CD4 of 237 and 2 million copies of the virus. Within a month of taking Biktarvy, my CD4 was 300 and viral down to 30,000. Within 2 months, I was down to 300 copies. 6 months later, I was undetectable (30 and CD4 420). I had some weird numbness and burning sensation in my thighs, like I was sunburnt at the beginning, but I'm sure this was more the virus than the meds. Zero side effects a year on. I exercise almost every day with no tiredness or anything. Happy to say I've had a very positive effect from this drug. How lucky we are to live in this age of science. Love to all of you, and thank God for online forums and ending the stigma against HIV."

• PDX...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

For HIV Infection "Will switch on 7/11 from Genvoya. Kaiser seems to be moving folks off the boosters. Started 2 years ago on Stribild and then Genvoya. Neither one ever gave me side effects, and I have no reason to think Biktarvy will either. Much smaller pill too and zero copay with Gilead card. I'll report after 30 days. Until there is a cure, kids, take your meds daily and take care of yourself!"

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

For HIV Infection "I just started Biktarvy on April 30th with a CD4 count of 7 and an unknown VL. Also taking Bactrim and clindamycin for a tooth infection. I'm starting to feel better, I haven't had any insufferable side effects apart from mild headaches, a bit of rash, and maybe one crazy dream. I'm eating healthy and also taking probiotics to protect my stomach. I'm mostly concerned with the tooth infection that hasn't stopped yet. But I'm keeping positive after reading many good experiences with other patients. Let's be strong!"

• Ohi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2021

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed on Aug 3, 2021. Had 7.9 million copies and CD4 was 615. Exactly 1 month on Biktarvy, I reached undetectable and CD4 was 1200. I found it’s most helpful to me to take it in the morning. I know this sounds strange, but I’ve never felt better. It obviously works for me, and I’ve not had any issues."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2019

For HIV Infection "Initial tests in February 2019 showed VL - 538,000 and CD4 - 284. Began taking Biktarvy in February. No side effects. In March, the VL - 103 and CD4 - 338. Just had a test in June 2019, and the VL - 29 and CD4 - 402. I was told it would take some time for CD4 to go up. However, it’s moving quite nicely. I find exercise and diet are key. If I slow down, I become sluggish. Liver and kidney tests are good. My next test is in October. Thanks, Biktarvy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2024

For HIV Infection "I just was diagnosed with HIV, viral load was 1.6 million and T cells at 30. This is the first medication I was given. It’s been a tad over 2 weeks. I go back for a check-up in a few weeks. For me, I’ve noticed no side effects at all, sleeping better, energy is way better. I’ll update."

• Kwa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2023

For HIV Infection "Was on Symtuza, which was awful. Biktarvy is not much better. My body aches, but not as bad. Neuropathy, blah attitude, hair started falling out, and vision seems to be getting worse. My body doesn't like these drugs so far. Hopefully, I can find something that works for me."

• Gol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2019

For HIV Infection "Doc switched me from Sustiva/Epzicom to Biktarvy. This is my third switch to one-pill-a-day regimen. First time was Atripla. Threw up constantly. Went off after three days. Then Triumeq — inflamed by peripheral neuropathy. Quit after three weeks. Now on Biktarvy. It’s been tough. The worst side effect is feeling a need to burp, and I can’t. Very uncomfortable."

• Kwa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2019

For HIV Infection "Been taking this for a week now and have been having crazy and constant nightmares, dreams even though I sleep in the day and work at night. Had the same issue with Atripla before doctor put me on Genvoya. Trying for a month to see whether the nightmares stop."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 28, 2024

For HIV Infection "I read every comment, and almost everyone has a very negative experience with Biktarvy. I have been consuming Biktarvy for over 5 years, and when I started Biktarvy, I had ZERO side effects! My CD4 count maintains over 500, and my viral load remains undetected! I have been HIV positive for over 25 years and am extremely healthy!"

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

For HIV Infection "Okay, I think this is the best medication ever. I used it for 2 months with no side effects whatsoever. When I first started it, my CD4 was 378, now it's 436 (I have PML), and my JC virus, which is PML, results was 127, now it's 72. I love Biktarvy!!!! Great results."

• Raf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2024

For HIV Infection "After several days of having a low-grade fever below 38°C, I decided to go to the hospital where I was tested for HIV. The following week, I received a devastating call from the hospital informing me that the test came back positive and that I was likely infected weeks earlier (acute). I started treatment on November 9, 2023, with a viral load of 1,600,000 copies, and by December 6, it had dropped to 193 copies thanks to Biktarvy. In less than a month, I was almost undetectable. Initially, I experienced side effects like fatigue and nausea, but nothing too severe. Now, after nearly six months, my health actually looks better than before, when I was negative. Thank you, Biktarvy."

• PDX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2018

For HIV Infection "One month in switching from Genvoya. Absolutely no problems. Remain undetectable, and CD4 count never higher. Started 2 years ago on Stribild with a viral load of 54k and CD4s just in the 150s. As of last week, CD4s were 524. Additional benefit of no food requirement."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed on June 10, 2020, and was put on Biktarvy a month later. I was shocked since the people I had been with all said they were negative. I have no idea how I got it. Anyway, I noticed I started losing my hair after getting on the medication. I also got rashes/zits on my back. Also, my stomach was upset during my six weeks on this medication. At my first follow-up, my doctor suggested it might be due to drug allergy, so he switched me to Triumeq. I had some side effects of it in the beginning, but now after two weeks I am not having any, and I’m not losing any more hair. Biktarvy was effective, though. My CD4 count had gone from 425 when first diagnosed to 604 after six weeks. My doctor said that the hair loss was probably not because of Biktarvy, but I think it was. I was worried about switching meds since I’ve heard that the other ones are more toxic, but since I’m newly diagnosed maybe I can manage an ‘older’ drug for the time being."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2019

For HIV Infection "I have been taking this medicine for 1 week now, and all I can say is that I loooooooooooove it. PROS: small 1x STR pill per day with or without food, NO side effects on me. CONS: pricey, though all HIV meds are expensive. So happy that my doctor gave this medicine for my regimen... I will post a follow-up comment once I get my 1st month's blood work."

• Jor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2022

For HIV Infection "After my first month taking it, I had a slip in my shower stall. A mild slip; I've done worse being intoxicated during college. Yet my thigh had an odd pain. The following day, an x-ray proved I broke my femur, the strongest bone in our bodies. Never did anyone realize to question if Biktarvy had changed my bone density, etc. Three months later, I am realizing I had been sleeping for an average of twenty hours a day, drinking copious amounts of liquids, late-night fevers of 102, night sweats, lethargic, and my cognitive skills were off; I put the ice cream in the refrigerator/walked down my stairs with a wet load of laundry when my washer and dryer are next to my bedroom. I went into the ED at a local hospital, and after a few hours of scans and tests, a doctor approached me and said I had very aggressive metastatic lesions all over my bone skeleton. That kind of news just makes a person desire to give out hugs. Five days of more tests & injected radioactive isotopes then I was released. Only RX I had."

• Und...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed 4 years ago and immediately began taking Isentress and Truvada. It took years for me to tolerate those drugs. Their effect on my body was terrible, the smell from my urine and feces was awful. The aches and pains from Isentress were the worst. I had difficulty even moving around from the pain. My doctor prescribed Biktarvy. When I began taking it, I had mild headaches, some nausea, and a lot of gas, but the symptoms subsided. The smell from my urine and feces disappeared, and every bit of joint pain disappeared as well. It was amazing, even better, my viral load in 30 days went from 250 to 101. I feel stronger, less phlegm in my chest, I'm not as tired as I was on Truvada and Isentress. Bottom line is this drug blows away my prior treatment and I highly recommend it. One thing for sure, in order for these meds to properly work, you CANNOT have diarrhea! That interferes with the meds being absorbed by your body, that must be controlled, and continuing unsafe receptive sex can cause diarrhea."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 6, 2021

For HIV Infection "I have been on Biktarvy for over a year. I'm undetectable with a CD4 of 1500, but it's caused me to have severe diarrhea, depression, and muscle loss. My doctor insists everything is normal, but I have tried twice to stop taking Biktarvy, and my body seems to go back to normal for a week. I'm definitely wanting to try something different than Biktarvy, although it helps with the HIV, the side effects are unbearable."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2021

For HIV Infection "I've been on Biktarvy for a year. I got this Friday for my blood work and am going to talk to the doctor then about what I've been experiencing. I noticed soon after I began Biktarvy that the migraines I once had as a child were back. That lasted for about a month, and the doctor said it was just my body getting used to the medicine. I also, like some others, have noticed extreme tiredness. Very noticeable the day after a workout. Muscles are very sore and tired for 2 to 3 days after, which has never happened in the past 34 years of my life. And in general, I don't feel like I have as much energy day to day as I've been on Biktarvy. I've waited a whole year to see if this was going to be ongoing, and it has been. I rate it a 10 as a drug for HIV because it got my numbers down quickly. But the lethargy is a bit annoying and interferes with my day-to-day life on and off."

• smo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2019

For HIV Infection "I take Biktarvy for 8 days now, and there are no side effects. Maybe I feel a little bit tired sometimes, but it also could be from the very fresh infection 3-4 weeks ago. I feel very good and look very healthy, and I'm thankful that I don't have any serious side effects."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2023

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed with HIV in 2019, I was put on Descovy. This caused insomnia, leg cramps, and weight gain. I went on a research program for Biktarvy, and the changes are amazing. I now sleep better, usually wake up once a night as opposed to six times a night on the old meds. The lower leg and feet cramps have stopped completely, and without trying, I have lost 20 kg in weight. My CD4 and viral load are fully under control. No kidney or liver issues. MRI scans are all clear. Hope this information helps."

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2018

For HIV Infection "Newly diagnosed and started Biktarvy less than a month ago and have reached undetectable levels already. No side effects for me other than some swelling of the feet in the first few days of taking it. Otherwise, I am very happy with this med."