Biktarvy and Tiredness: 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."

• 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."

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2020

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed in 1988. The lack of sleep is the worst. I wake up multiple (5 - 10x) in a 5-hour span. I am tired constantly, achy, foot pain, lower back pain, nausea, upper abdominal pain, and extremely depressed over how poorly I feel. I called my doc and requested a change of meds. I have lost my eyebrows, losing eyelashes, and hair is thinning. He doesn't believe these issues are caused by the medicine, but I believe it is as the issues didn't happen until after I started Biktarvy."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

For HIV Infection "I was newly diagnosed with HIV last May 7, 2019. My viral load was 60K, and CD4 count was less than 300. I began taking Biktarvy almost immediately after being diagnosed. I experienced tiredness, dizziness, and a low-intensity headache when I began treatment. Those side effects subsided after 2 weeks. As of September 2019, my viral load is less than 20, and CD4 count is over 850 (undetectable). I feel very happy and confident about my treatment."

• Guc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

For HIV Infection "My experience, this is my 3rd refill, trying to hang in there. Former medication Atripla. Now taking Biktarvy. My feet have become sensitive to walk on, they feel achy and tired. Biktarvy does not mesh well with seafood, it breaks me out in the upper chest area. Also, I notice a change in my skin, acne/rash-like bumps appear. Trying to hang in there, keep you posted, but pray for me."

• WDC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed HIV+ in 2016 and went on Stribild with zero side effects. I started to read on different forums that Stribild was having long-term negative effects on liver, kidney, and bone health. I asked to go on Biktarvy. Currently undetectable, but CD4 dropped from 1077 to 920 (still good though). However, I'm ALWAYS tired now. If I'm not in bed by 11, I'm annoyed. Really weird mood swings and the most ridiculous, far-fetched dreams that I've actually been able to control while I'm sleeping. I wake up and feel like I haven't slept because of the non-stop hyperactive dreams. I've also woken up just crying. Once a week, I feel like I have the flu too. Kinda want to go back to Stribild... dunno what to do..."

• NAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 21, 2019

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed with HIV infection on May 23, 2019, with a viral load of 97k and a CD4 count of about 500-600. With Biktarvy, I have had no noticeable side effects. I have been very tired, but that may have something to do with the time of year or with the actual HIV infection. Within 3 weeks, my viral load went from 97,000 to 144, and within 3 weeks more, I was undetectable."

• JZa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

For HIV Infection "I switched from Triumeq because of extreme tiredness, but Biktarvy made it even worse. I tried Biktarvy for a week, but I had to switch back because it made me feel like a complete zombie. I was so tired and sleepy that I couldn't get out of bed at all, and when I did get out of bed, I felt confused and disoriented. I had no choice but to stop taking it."

• JZa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

For HIV Infection "I switched from Triumeq because of extreme tiredness, but Biktarvy made it even worse. I tried Biktarvy for a week, but I had to switch back because it made me feel like a complete zombie. I was so tired and sleepy that I couldn't get out of bed at all, and when I did get out of bed, I felt confused and disoriented. I had no choice but to stop taking it."

• Hug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2018

For HIV Infection "Was previously on Stribild, which worked great. No problems at all. Doc switched me to Biktarvy. Supposedly not as harsh on liver, stomach, bones, etc. First week I felt lethargic. Still able to function and work. After the first week, things have been great. No side effects. No night terrors. Weird thing is... I had bizarre dreams and nightmares way before I was positive. Seems to be working well with my body. Been on it about 3 months now. Best health!"

• Red...
• October 12, 2022

For HIV Infection "My experience with Biktarvy has not been good. Always tired all the time. Would NOT recommend if you want to have any energy. No energy makes you want to sleep, but it is hard to get and stay asleep. This did not get any better months, even a year later."

• Red...
• October 12, 2022

For HIV Infection "My experience with Biktarvy has not been good. Always tired all the time. Would NOT recommend if you want to have any energy. No energy makes you want to sleep, but it is hard to get and stay asleep. This did not get any better months, even a year later."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2021

For HIV Infection "HIV + April 2018, my VL was only 980, but the CD4 was 173. This put me in the AIDS bracket. I started to get thrush on my tongue, and this is a danger sign. I started ART, Tivicay & Descovy. Within 1 month, VL 120, CD4 around 300, thrush had gone, so was out of the danger zone. The side effects for me were not sleeping well, tired all the time, and in a brain fog. I switched to Biktarvy in August 2020. Wow, acid is really bad, even Losec doesn't stop it, teeth enamel eating away, have to drink warm water or teeth really hurt, still tired and brain fog all the time. Now I am 6 months into taking it and have nausea in my stomach all the time, just feel off. Ever since I started ART, I haven't been sharp. Normally, I was quick to do things or solve things quickly, not anymore. The acid and nausea are becoming a big problem, but I am undetectable and CD4 is around 580. So I suppose I should be thankful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2019

For HIV Infection "Just started Biktarvy, my viral load was very high. Dr. recommended Biktarvy. I’ve experienced severe nausea, muscle aches, and I’ve been very tired. This is only the 4th day, so I’ll give it a month to see if the side effects get better. I like how the pill is smaller than Trizivir and you can take it on an empty stomach. I’ll give it a chance."

• Ras...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2022

For HIV Infection "I started on Truvada and Dolutegravir in 2019 when I was first diagnosed with VL 300k and CD4 250. I started getting a rash, mostly on my neck and forehead. Within 3 months, my CD4 was 1k and VL undetectable. Since side effects are manageable, I continued. After a year, my doctor let me switch to Biktarvy for the single dose. The side effects seem similar, but since then, I have put on 20 lb of weight and had one episode of depression. Both are worrying since I have never experienced them in my life (now I am in my late 40s). The doctor assured me that they are not related to the meds but possibly due to a change of lifestyle during the pandemic. I have experimented with morning vs. evening dosing for the past year. It seems that I get a worse rash, dry mouth, oily scalp, joint pain, and less sleep when I take Biktarvy before sleep. If I take it during the day, I am more prone to lethargy but have less side effects. Slightly worrying is that my VL goes up slightly to 50 when I take Biktarvy in the morning. Stay strong, everyone."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2024

For HIV Infection "The only thing I noticed since taking Biktarvy is I feel tired at times, but not all the time. Other than that, I haven't noticed anything else to be concerned over."

• Jog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2024

For HIV Infection "Easy to take but I am so sleepy. I sleep all day. 3 months so far and I'm still sleepy. When I exercise, I yawn all the time. I can't wait to lie down."