Cobicistat / darunavir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide for HIV Infection User Reviews
Brand names: Symtuza
- Ted...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- February 20, 2022
"I was diagnosed HIV positive in February 2012. I decided not to take any medication as long as my VL and CD4 count were good. In 2015, my CD4 count went slowly down to less than 300. I had the opportunity to take part in an AVR study in 2016, which was very successful and later known as the Symtuza drug. It’s my 6th year taking Symtuza with no side effects and excellent blood work."
- bxl...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 28, 2019
"I took this for one year since the first day I was diagnosed with HIV (7/2018). All worked very well except for one thing, I had diarrhea all the time, which I could only control by taking Imodium every second day. Since 2 days ago, I switched to Biktarvy. My toilet visits have already become more normal, but I feel a bit fatigued."
See also:
Symtuza
Symtuza is an HIV treatment combining cobicistat, darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir ...
Sunlenca
Sunlenca (lenacapavir) is used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in heavily ...
Cabenuva
Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine) injections are a long-acting HIV treatment used to keep HIV ...
Biktarvy
Biktarvy is a complete HIV-1 treatment in a once-a-day single tablet containing three antiviral ...
Descovy
Descovy is used to treat and prevent HIV infection in adults and adolescents. When used for HIV-1 ...
Dovato
Dovato is a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen in one tablet that may be used in adults and children ...
Truvada
Truvada is used to prevent HIV (HIV PrEP) or treat HIV-1 infection in combination with other HIV-1 ...
Atripla
Atripla prevents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from reproducing in your body. Learn about ...
Isentress
Isentress is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Learn about ...
Frequently asked questions
- spa...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 9, 2023
"Been on Symtuza for 5 years. It was my first med, so I don't have other experience for comparison. When detected, I had 120,000+ VL, and one year after, I was undetectable, up until today. I had a couple of bleeps in those 5 years. I may have had nausea at the beginning and diarrhea sometimes, but unclear if Symtuza alone was to blame, as I also smoked lots of weed and had a pretty disordered lifestyle. So, wrapping up, this pill clearly works, and I would say there are no worrying side effects. Today, I am undetectable and with 900+ CD4 count."
- Pau...
- October 25, 2020
"Can’t really say I’ve experienced any side effect symptoms from Symtuza yet. I am worried a few years down. I’ve spoken to my doctor, and he’s reassured me that I shouldn’t experience side effects. Is that so? Well, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that doctors don’t know everything!"
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Meo...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 3, 2023
"I've been on Symtuza for 14 days. Uncontrollable diarrhea the first night, but it has since stopped. I get very tired fast, but I think I'm having chest pain. I do have a history of panic attacks, so I don't know which I'm having. I tolerate the medication surprisingly well. I have not visited my doctor yet to see my numbers... I am concerned about my liver."
- Alo...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 8, 2023
"I was on Triumeq for over 12 years, but it started to fail. My viral load went from undetectable to over 500, but my CD4 held steady around 500. My specialist switched me to Symtuza and Tivacay 2 weeks ago. No serious side effects so far, just some trouble staying asleep, which is the same I had with Triumeq."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- November 14, 2023
"I've never had any issues while on Symtuza. One pill per day, for 2 years now. No side effects. Easy to stay compliant."
- Kwa...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 12, 2023
"Almost immediately, started having body pains and neuropathy. Didn't like it from the start."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.Learn more about HIV Infection
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
More about cobicistat / darunavir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: antiviral combinations
- En español
Patient resources
- Cobicistat, darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir drug information
- Darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (Advanced Reading)
"I was diagnosed HIV positive on Feb 2022, with a VL of 130,000 and a CD4 count of 285. My doctor put me on Biktarvy for a month, but since my genotype was medium-resistant to bictegravir, she switched me to Symtuza. As of 14 June 2022, my VL was undetectable and my CD4 count was 460. No side effects so far, yet an increase of LDL and CHOL because of cobicistat. After a 2-month diet, it slightly went down, but you have to avoid fat products."