Biktarvy for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 5)

• Kay
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2021

"02/13/2021 is the date of my diagnosis. My CD4 count at the time of my diagnosis had been 700 but my VL 1,750,000. My body didn’t develop antibodies because the HIV infection had been just a days to few weeks in. I started Biktarvy on 02/17/2021 and have had zero side effects. I work in a maximum security prison and had the Doctor at my job write me a script for the CD4 count and VL the CD4 came back at 1.030 which is a drastic increase and we are awaiting for the VL count. My Infectious Disease doctor doesn’t want to do labs until a few months. Hopefully when the VL results come back I am close to being undetectable or very near to it."

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

"I tried it for a week and one day after taking pills my butt was very sore (it hurt to sit down) and then another 4 days of taking pill I noticed a lot of red bumps on both of my thighs. So far besides those 2 things ,that's all of the side effects. If you have my side effects, please post your experience. Thanks!"

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

"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."

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

"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 latter 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!!!"

• BigBird
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2019

"I been taking this medicine for 1 week now and all I can say 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 meds for my regimen... I will post a followup comment once I get my 1st months blood work. "

• Ben
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2023

"I was diagnosed with HIV in 2021, less than a month after being infected. I had exactly ZERO adverse effects while taking Biktarvy. Like really, I couldn't notice any change between the before and after starting the meds and still can't after almost 3 years on this medication. I feel completely normal. My CD4 count is good, and I am undetectable now."

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

"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. Following day, an x-ray proves 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 average twenty hours a day, drinking copious amounts of liquids, late-night fevers of 102, night sweats, lathargic, and my cognative 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, I had a doctor approach me that I had very aggressive metastatic lesions all over my bone skeleton. That kinda news just makes a person desire to give out hugs. 5 days of more tests & injected radioactive isotopes then was released. only rx i had"

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

"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 its 72. I love Biktarvy!!!! Great results."

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

"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 the isentress was the worst. I had difficulty even moving around from the pain. My doctor prescribed Byktarvy 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 diahrrea! That interferes with the meds being absorbed by your body that must be controlled and continuing unsafe receptive sex can causes diahrrea"

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

"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."

• JustMe
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2019

"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."

• Garro
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

"I just started Biktarvy on April 30th with a CD4 count of 7 and an unknown VL. Also taking bactrim and clindamicin for a tooth infection. I'm starting to feel better, I haven't had any insufferable side effect 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 haven't stop yet. But I'm keeping positive after reading many good experiences with other patients. Let's be strong!"

• happy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2023

"I was started on Biktarvy and Prezcobix about 3.5 years and I have been improving my health ever since. I had been careless for about 8 years and I almost died but thank the heavens I decided to finally return to the hospital and then to not one but two nursing homes. I'm now no longer 125 lbs I'm currently 185.2 lbs as of March 2023."

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

"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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2023

"I've been on Biktarvy since late 2018, switched from Atripla. Initially I had some gastrointestinal side effects, but nothing major and thankfully it resolved after a few weeks. Overall I'm very pleased with this medication. I have virtually no side effects, and my lab work could not be better. My alkaline phospatase used to be a little high when I was on Atripla, it dropped significantly since starting Biktarvy. I used to get more headaches, tired feeling on Atripla. Overall, this is a great antiretroviral with low side effect profile."

• smocito
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2019

"I take Biktarvy for 8 Days now and there are no side effects maybe if 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."

• Kwame
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2019

"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."

• Goliath
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2019

"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."

• Babba
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 7, 2022

"I've been HIV positive since September 2000. I have taken many medications since. Of all the medications, Biktarvy has been the least problematic. I had been taking Atripla with some side effects for a number of years when my doctor abruptly switched me to Biktarvy. He literally just blurted out to me that he was switching me to Biktarvy and nervously spoke over me as if trying to avoid any resistance from me. I suffer from severe depression and I tend to become very self-destructive but never like this. I wonder if the switch played a role. I haven't taken any HIV meds for well over a year now. That's how self-destructive I've become. I feel Biktarvy did something to my brain and now I can't feel normal. It's possible it's unrelated but my doc's odd behavior makes me feel he knew it wouldn't benefit me and probably switched me to get kickbacks from big Pharma. My advice: If it works, don't switch to other meds. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

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

"I was diagnosed on 10 June 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 6 weeks on this medication. At my first follow-up, my doctor suggested it might be due to drug allergy so switched me to Triumeq. I had some side-effect 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 6 weeks. My doctor said that the hair loss was probably not because of Biktarvy, but I think it was. I was worried to switching meds since I’ve heard that they other ones are more toxic, but since I’m newly diagnosed maybe I can manage an ‘older’ drug for the time being."

• Safe1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 7, 2024

"Works great for me. No observable side effects. Very effective treatment; my levels are below detection. I take one pill daily at approximately the same time (mornings) with my other prescriptions. I only use Tylenol and stay away from any antacids. Expensive."

• anne
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

"Taking this medication for PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) treatment because I did not have insurance to cover Truvada & Isentress, and they had this available to me at no cost. I take this at night and the only side effects are extreme nausea in the morning and vivid dreams."

• Mbmb
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2019

"Diagnosed 6 weeks ago and immediately put on this drug . Only side effect is dreams/ nightmares and been having to urinate a lot. original test results are: Vc. 500k+ T cell 165 Been on for approx 6 weeks and will get first results next week . Will update with how drug worked."

• INFOS...
• April 24, 2021

"@Fighter55 Do you mind telling me what type of new skin infection your dealing with? I recently start Biktarvy 4-5 months ago. I started getting this new dark spot in my face which seems to spread on my face. I went to a dermatologist and they did not even know where the skin issue came from. I was given a tropical cream but made it worse. I was trying to see if anyone else experienced the same issue so I can know to switch medicines."

• John
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2021

"I was diagnosed back in 2015 - Started with Atripla and It was an awful experience, terrible side effects that lasted approximately 1 month. Stayed in that regimen for 5 years - even though I was “ok” and undetectable with Atripla, I was never the same person - I felt fatigued. 2021 my Doctor suggested Biktarvy - newer drug and less side effects is what he told me. I was hesitant because I felt “ok” with Atripla and I was terrified to live the same experience when I first started my meds. I did a lot of research on my own and came across these reviews - and I was even more terrified. Finally, I said: “let’s go for it, let’s change to Biktarvy”. This is me second week and I LOVE IT!!! No side effects and I feel that my chronic fatigue went away magically. I guess everybody reacts differently- but I’m beyond thankful that my body copped with Biktarvy. 100% recommended"