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

• MJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2020

For HIV Infection "I’ve been on Genvoya for 2 years after first learning my diagnosis. I was undetectable within a month, and my counts have been fantastic. I spoke to my doctor about some side effect concerns, and he told me to give it time. I’ve been speaking to him for about a year about my fatigue, lack of sleep, weight gain of over 40 pounds, depression, and sometimes numbness in my hands and feet. He says I work too much, and it’s all stress related. During the quarantine, I stopped taking my meds, ate clean, and worked out. I lost 11 pounds the first month. I kept the same routine and started taking my meds again. I’ve gained 2 pounds. This doesn’t add up. At this point, I don’t know if switching to other meds would be any better. They all sound like they have similar side effects."

• 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!"

• Upt...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 28, 2017

For HIV Infection "Most people here have mentioned little to no side effects. That is good, and I believe you. I’ve been on this for about 18 months. Before that, I was on Stribild and Atripla. Started in 2010. I’ve no idea why, but I am that 1% who gets side effects others do not. I am now into my 4th doctor since 2003 due to insurance provider issues. Only one ever really listened to me, though. One even flat out said it’s not possible to have side effects. I keep saying I have fatigue and other side effects. I can’t concentrate. Forgetful. I recently found out I have the early stages of neuropathy. I have chronic depression. I can’t complain since it’s saving my life, but I wish they had a way to tweak the dose for each individual. Oh well."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2019

For HIV Infection "I have taken Genvoya since April 2018, I gained 61 pounds in 8 months, and I was depressed already, just got worse."

• Tic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2019

For HIV Infection "On Genvoya, I got tired and depressed, and I stayed like that for 5 months until I went back to Stribild. Then I was myself again."

• MAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2019

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed 11/23/2019, just been on Genvoya for a little over a month and have been experiencing depression."