Cobicistat / elvitegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2020

For HIV Infection "I became HIV+ 12 years ago. I was on research for a year, then I got off of it because my stomach and nerves couldn’t handle it anymore! I got on Atripla and was on it 10 years, then my doctor says take a leap of faith, so I did. But now it’s a year later, and my stomach is always hurting. I feel like I’m drained and cramped up in my muscles. It causes anxiety and depression that my doctor did not tell me about, which I already had from loved ones dying around me! I’m going back to Atripla, and if she doesn’t want to, then I’ll take another leap of faith and get a whole new doctor! I’d rather deal with nightmares and night sweats than stomach problems, muscle cramps, anxiety, and depression! HIV is already depressing enough at just the thought of having it, and to take an HIV pill that induces it more is too much on me!"

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2016

For HIV Infection "I had to go back on Atripla. Genvoya gave me dizzy spells. I took it for one month, stopped 5 days ago, and I'm still having dizzy spells. I cannot find if anyone else is having the same side effects, wondering how long it will still stay in my system and keep me dizzy, and I get jittery!"

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2019

For HIV Infection "Horrible side effect. My doctor kept telling me I was okay, but I know my body more than he does, so I got kinda pissy about it. Then he’s like, it’s just this and that, blah blah blah. Listen to your body and do your research. Genvoya gave me so much diarrhea, I lost so much weight, and I couldn't sleep. I was crazy and worried all the time. I was stressed out, and I couldn’t control my anxiety. I was going crazy, so I had to switch. Finally, my doctor agreed after moaning and moaning at him. Now I’m on Triumeq, and I feel so much better. My eyes aren’t as red anymore."

• PDX...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2018

For HIV Infection "Tested positive 6/1/16, started with Stribild 7/8/16 and then moved over to Genvoya 13 months ago. VL was 56k and CD4 just 154. Genvoya works, it works very well, and the side effects for me do not exist. I did just have a miserable 2 weeks on Triumeq (I do have higher cholesterol now, never did until HIV meds). However, I could not handle the head rush, anxiousness, and fatigue on Triumeq. Never had any side effects with Stribild or Genvoya, and cannot wait to go to the pharmacy and get it back. Don't think there are no options if something is not working. We all have the right to feel great while on treatment. Not all choices are the same...tell your doc when something is amiss. Lifelong treatment does not mean the experience has to be miserable!!! Always UD now."

• Ray...
• December 13, 2017

For HIV Infection "I've been on this drug for almost two years. Not a bit did I like this drug. I started noticing that I was more depressed than ever. I've become so anxious, so lost. I constantly had diarrhea, and if I was lucky, there were some days I was able to deliver the feces normally. My eyes, they've been red for almost two years, and I assumed it was just my eyes. I remember going off the drug for two days because I didn't have insurance. Everything went back to normal. My eyes whitened again, my stomach felt better, and my mentality got better. I then noticed the drug was the problem after two years. I switched to a different drug, and I'm now recovering and feeling back to normal. Finally convinced the doctor after two years."

• Ajh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2018

For HIV Infection "5/7/18 Here is my update with taking Genvoya. My main complaint is that it gives me chronic nightmares every time I sleep - whether it's during the day or at night. I think the reason is it's affecting my nervous system, which is getting me very jittery before I go to sleep. It feels like I'm having 10 cups of coffee, it is that wired, jittery type of feeling. I could feel my nerves going crazy. So, I'm going to talk to my doctor and have him switch me off to something else, even if it's temporary, to see if these side effects go away. This has been happening for about 8 months. I thought it would go away, but it's not. Even though my body is responding very well to Genvoya and keeping me undetectable, and my CD4 count has been in the 850s, I just can't take the crazy dreams waking me up in the middle of the night. Time to try something else."

• Sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 1, 2021

For HIV Infection "Been on Genvoya for around 6 years after having been on Stribild for 2. No major side effects at the start, but gradually my mental health has struggled with anxiety/panic, and now I feel depression is setting in. Fatigue has also become a real issue. Not sure if this is related to Genvoya or not, but have asked the clinic if I can try switching to rule it out. Having done some reading on others, though, genuinely not sure what will be best to try. I should add that my numbers have been good on this."