Biktarvy and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Lil...
• October 13, 2019

For HIV Infection "I have been HIV+ since 1999. The Biktarvy introduction was one of the worst I’ve had during my arduous journey. My entire body was in pain, exhausted, my stomach hurt, with no energy. After about 3 weeks, it started to normalize so I continued. I am finishing up my 3rd month of treatment, and things seem worse. I am very active but the pain in my gluteus, legs, and feet are horrible. When I work out, I can’t seem to recover for days. Every morning, my stomach is bloated with dull pain. I have had concerning mental blocks, I am now a med student and need to be able to recall things on demand, so this is causing challenges. Problems sleeping and often wake up in the middle of the night having the “is it worth it” moments. The other thing I have noticed is depression, something I haven’t had since my young 20s. This could all be due to the lack of sleep and the constant pain and frustration, but I just feel off. I hope sharing helps someone else."

• Gen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For HIV Infection "My doctor suggested I try Biktarvy as a replacement for Genvoya since it doesn't have to be taken with food, and I decided to try it. After a couple of days, I had severe fatigue and sweating bad enough that it was difficult to get out of bed. I switched back to Genvoya for a couple of days, and the fatigue went away. I told my doc about this, and he suggested I try Biktarvy again because he said severe fatigue isn't that common and thought it might be something else. I switched back, and the next day the fatigue was back just as bad if not worse than the first time. I was tired, depressed, and lethargic. Yesterday I again switched back to Genvoya, and today I feel normal again. Clearly Biktarvy is a good drug that works for many people, but I'm posting this for anyone having the same side effects so you'll know you aren't alone."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2019

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Biktarvy for 3 months now. I've been positive for 18 years and this is combo number 5. This time the switch was solely financial in going back to a one-a-day pill. I have to say I almost gave up on it after 2 weeks due to the extreme fatigue and joint pain, but I was overseas for 3 weeks with no other option. I'm glad I continued because after the initial side effects subsided, I have had no issues. I would recommend it highly, but give the side effects some time to clear up if you get them. Don't give up too soon!"

• 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."

• 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."

• D19...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2020

For HIV Infection "I'm positive since February 2018, was just twenty-one at the time. I have been taking Biktarvy about a year and a half now. They changed me over from Stribild, I think it was for financial reasons they never explained why. The main thing with my experience with HIV is the fatigue. I used to be so much stronger and active. My wrists feel brittle. If I do a few push-ups, my chest feels like it's going to cave in. I spend at least the first half hour of every morning blowing my nose and coughing up mucus. That being said, I'm glad I'm still here thanks to big pharma. It's sad that HIV wasn't sorted out years ago, before I was even born. I just hope people with HIV use their heads and don't pass it on to others. And medical institutions use their heads to rid of it completely."

• Bil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 2, 2021

For HIV Infection "I want to warn anyone taking this medication who may have similar genetics to mine. My experience with Biktarvy over the past 6 years was awful, and I was not even fully aware or informed of the details of it once I was until way later. I am someone who loves to work out and build muscle. It caused a lot of issues in the muscle building process, which hindered my growth, gave me weak wrists/hands, made me feel fatigued, and it also made me extremely gassy and gave me foul-smelling stools (I almost think it gave me a sort of food allergy while taking it). My doctor eventually concluded that I may be having some mitochondrial toxicity from TAF/FTC, which is unusual but not impossible. I switched to Juluca, which is an NRTI-sparing regimen, and have not had any of the above symptoms."

• Sug...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2021

For HIV Infection "Since I've been on Biktarvy, I have had severe stomach bloating, excess belly fat and thigh fat, extreme fatigue, trouble taking in deep breaths, trouble breathing, interrupted sleep pattern, stiff and weak muscles in the legs, cold feet and hands, brittle nails, stiff hands, dropping things easily. Not much control of muscle movement, diabetes, weight fluctuation, lightheadedness. Cannot walk long distances and wanting to sit down all the time, and severe lower back pain."

• Lis...
• April 2, 2019

For HIV Infection "Have been on Atripla for 10+ years and have been doing very well with no side effects. My doctor of ten+years relocated, and I got a new doctor who convinced me to switch to Biktarvy. Terrible drug, my blood pressure (BP) went to over 200/190 since I started taking this new drug, Biktarvy, and I am always terribly tired. I have always had a BP of 110/70. Will go back to the doctor and request to switch back to my good old Atripla - has served me well all these years."

• Mal...
• July 13, 2021

For HIV Infection "No! I’m only taking this because my insurance stopped covering Stribild, which was it for me. My body does NOT like Biktarvy. Rashes across my body and face, itching like crazy, heart palpitations, first 2-3 days my heart rate kept dropping, like in the 50s even when I was walking around. Felt like someone turned up the gravity several notches when my heart rate would drop. Very weird sensation. Also getting random severe fatigue and needing extra sleep. I get lightheaded at times too. I’m about 3 weeks in, and it’s progressively getting worse and worse. Oh, and my allergies are worse, like my body is already maxed out with histamines from Biktarvy. I’ve taken Atripla, which had weird dreams, dizziness, and nausea. Then to Stribild, which was the best. Now this pill. First recommendation is Stribild, then Atripla. And I don’t recommend Biktarvy at all."

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2022

For HIV Infection "Got switched to Biktarvy and was on it for 7 weeks. The first lot of bloods I was U/D still and CD4 up by 70, although I was so tired all the time and with total lack of energy. The pain in my legs made it very uncomfortable to walk. Most alarmingly, though, was the depression (I’ve had before), it was on another level for me: huge feelings of doom, agitation, and anger that were too much for me. So I reached out to the consultant and she switched me to Odefsey. Fingers crossed it will be a better experience."

• 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."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2021

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed back in 2015. I started with Atripla, and it was an awful experience, terrible side effects that lasted approximately one month. Stayed in that regimen for five years, even though I was “ok” and undetectable with Atripla, I was never the same person. I felt fatigued. In 2021, my doctor suggested Biktarvy-a 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 my 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 coped with Biktarvy. 100% recommended."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2023

For HIV Infection "I started Biktarvy five years after diagnosis when I was hospitalized for pyelonephritis. My CD4 count was at 4. Taking the medication was awful during the first 9 months. I had a lot of bad dreams and strong suicidal ideation combined with anxiety and exhaustion. The viral load was quickly undetectable and the CD4 count came up to 200 without really improving my general state. Now, after more than a year, I have fewer suicidal thoughts and anxiety, but fatigue still persists."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2022

For HIV Infection "After 1.5 months on Biktarvy: daily headaches and debilitating fatigue, responds to 81 mg aspirin or 1/8-1/4 teaspoon ginger powder (anti-inflammatory). The left side of my neck started to feel uncomfortably 'tight'-something was getting inflamed there. The headaches and the 'tight' neck started to go away only after I stopped Biktarvy and went to an older drug combo."

• dig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2018

For HIV Infection "Haven't been able to find a good platform for discussion. I was diagnosed 3 years ago. After I hit 18, I had a very sharp decline in energy levels, and in the last 3 years, I think that the meds have contributed to that. I have been taking Stribild for the last three years, no other side effects but fatigue, and I became undetectable quickly and have remained so. I start Biktarvy next Tuesday after I finish my Stribild. Hopefully, this will help with the fatigue."

• Han...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2022

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in 2013, not sure really how long I had it before then. Not sure of all the meds I took, but I do recall having to do an ART cocktail which had a fungal infection, which I found is common among low CD4 counts, which was me at the time hovering around 50. I was able to boost it up to 200+. Then one drug change from the three, even though I was not experiencing adverse effects. Truvada was when I started to have side effects from that one drug change: chronic fatigue, blurry memory, confusion, joint pain, acid reflux, skin discoloration, and insomnia. I was told to do Biktarvy because it would affect my kidneys less. I liked the idea of one pill, but to tell you the truth, not worth it for convenience because I started to have depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts. Recently, I have been having sleep paralysis with horrifying vivid dreams, calf cramps, and muscle twitching. I feel let down by my doctor, and I made a change, but no difference. I was told if I miss a dose to take two the next day. What? It clearly says not to do that."

• Wes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2019

For HIV Infection "No problems at all. Very effective. Been on Biktarvy for over a year. Undetectable. A little sluggish the first two weeks."