Biktarvy and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2021

For HIV Infection "I don't know what to think or how to feel about Biktarvy. I have experienced diarrhea, nausea, brain fog, lightheadedness, and faintness. Now I'm experiencing headaches, pressure on the head, and my head feels heavy at times. The doctor says the meds are working, but why do I feel so bad if I'm healing? I have been to the ER several times and they all have said that my blood work looks fine and they can't find anything wrong. I don't know if I should change my meds, or if this is normal to have these types of side effects. I've been having bad days since 02/15/2021. At times I feel better and at times I feel irritable. I don't feel sick or ill, I just feel slow-motion at times. I pray that someone finds a cure or vaccine to get rid of this virus. A cure or vaccine for all. I'm on my knees begging whoever has the knowledge to come up with the cure for HIV and AIDS to please have a heart and cure us all, please."

• Ted...
• September 25, 2018

For HIV Infection "30 years HIV+. This Biktarvy is nasty & experimental & a $10 billion dollar bonanza for the company pushing this poison. Here's why... took it for a month. Gave me upper pain in stomach just below rib cage. Gave me nasty smelling severe diarrhea, smelt like traveling behind a vehicle with emergency brakes on while burning oil. That smell made me nauseous. At night time, would get a reflux that was nasty like raw crude oil taste. Very dry mouth, teeth, and tongue. Gave me horrible night and day sweats behind neck, behind knees, armpits, and inner elbows. Gotten extremely dry mouth. Called my doctor, went back to taking good ole Atripla. My gut, heart, 6th sense, guardian angel, and mind tell me Biktarvy is bad juju. Had very dark nightmares and dark depression. Actually awoken up from my dark nightmares... In my opinion, this drug is terrible and scares me to death. Doubt they'll publish this. I'll save in favorites and check back. Very angry my doctor pushed this drug on me. Kickbacks?"

• Ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2021

For HIV Infection "I’m part of the 5% of HIV+ patients who get strong side effects. Started with Atripla, Truvada, and two others until Genvoya. This Wednesday my doctor decided to switch to Biktarvy because my CD4 was at 976 and I generally have over 1200, and because my cholesterol was high. I experienced dizziness, 20 minutes after taking all, blood would rush into my head and feel extremely high. I had diarrhea over 15 times in a day. Nausea, intestines felt like I had acid running, burning... headache. Abnormal dreams and insomnia, extreme psychosis. I only slept 3 hours in two days. On the second day was desperate, frustrated, and depressed... I’m not suicidal, but just wished I didn't have to live like this. Motivation zero, felt inhuman."

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For HIV Infection "I have noticed extreme fatigue, mood swings, nightmares that have affected my day-to-day living. I was changed to this treatment because of the lower reported side effects shown in clinical trials in relation to mental health and Biktarvy. I have extreme mood swings, chronic fatigue, sweating, diarrhea, muscle pains, mental blocks, memory problems, stomach/acid reflux, urinating excessively, difficulties with libido, involuntary body movements, and night sweats/mares. This is my 5th HAART regimen since 2010 (diagnosed in 2002). I have been told this is the newest and best drug to treat the virus with fewer side effects (significantly less reported mental health problems with this drug). It has not been as problematic as previous regimens, which included Atripla, Truvada, Nevirapine, etc. However, as with all HAART treatments, side effects are expected. I have suffered extreme side effects from all HAART treatments, which have been physically and mentally disabling."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2019

For HIV Infection "Biktarvy is great. I have been positive since 2013 and started on Stribild in April 2013. Stribild got me undetectable, and I switched to Genvoya once it came on the market. I then switched to Biktarvy once that one came on the market, and I have been undetectable ever since I started with my drug therapy. I haven't had any side effects except for loose stool, but that is something I can deal with. Hope that helps."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2022

For HIV Infection "Biktarvy has been bad for my pancreas. I've been taking it since 2018, and prior to that, Descovy. The 'nukes' in Biktarvy = Tenofovir Alafenamide and Emtricitabine & are toxic to my organs. The diarrhea is coming from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This means the ingredients in Biktarvy have inflamed my pancreas so much that I no longer produce enough digestive enzymes to break down the food I eat. Consequently, I have to take digestive enzyme pills with EVERY meal or protein shake to allow my body to absorb the food I eat. My pancreas is so inflamed that I've developed CHRONIC (lifelong) PANCREATITIS. This condition is worse than HIV in the sense that it makes you feel like your stomach/intestines are on FIRE. This chronic inflammation from the drugs in Biktarvy and their effects on my pancreas have slowly destroyed my pancreatic function, and I am now at a much higher risk for developing diabetes and pancreatic cancer. BE WARNED!"

• Bil...
• April 26, 2019

For HIV Infection "Dr. switched me to this from Genvoya (also bad news). After 6 months on it, I never know whether I'm going to pass gas or fill my pants. If it's not diarrhea, then it's painful gas and a stool too hard to pass, and I have to take an enema. Lipodystrophy is worse than Norvir. Also, now I have diverticulosis, which I attribute to Biktarvy. I'm going to insist on switching back to my old 3-pill cocktail."

• 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."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2021

For HIV Infection "Have been taking Biktarvy for 20 months, switched from Genvoya. I've noticed a significant increment in body fat, especially in the belly and face. Both body fat % and visceral fat % increased to almost an unacceptable level despite the same lifestyle I had when I was taking Genvoya. Not much other side effect besides an occasional stomachache and diarrhea after taking the pill in recent months. It's convenient to take without food, at the cost of getting fat without eating anything."

• Vir...
• August 21, 2021

For HIV Infection "This is my third regimen since my diagnosis in 2012. Stribild and Genvoya gave me diarrhea and petroleum-smelling stool (I noticed other comments mention the same). My labs have been “no RNA detected” since I went on this drug over a year ago. I think it’s great, although I wish they would package it in a blister pack like Descovy, as sometimes I forget if I took it that day."