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

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2017

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed with a viral load of 200,000 and CD4 count of 12. I was the walking dead in my opinion with PCP pneumonia. Laying in the bed fighting for my life, 21 days later I was able to walk out of the hospital, weak, however, I still walked out. I started taking Genvoya about 5 weeks ago, and my viral load has dropped to 100k and CD4 around 225. I haven't had any of the common side effects. No headaches. No nausea. No IBS (not sure if that's one of the side effects or not). I'm rating Genvoya a 10. It's the new kid on the block with very positive results and low side effects. I hope this helps."

• MrM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2018

For HIV Infection "This medication was promoted as being a golden egg. The headaches eventually subsided a little, but the muscle fatigue has been progressively getting worse and worse, to the point where it's hard even walking. Hard moving and difficult to sleep due to the pain. I also seem to be wasting at the extremities, like what happened in the '90s. Gastrointestinal - I have either fluffy stools or ones which are too hard to pass, intestinal gas, jabbing pains, and generally bloated. Dreams have not subsided. They are still vivid and affect my sleep quality. The worst is the middle weight gain, all around the belly, same gym regime, same dietary consumption, but it's this bloated pillow of fat. NOT recommended! Spoke to three friends and asked them what they are on, and without any hints, they all said 'was on Genvoya, fatigue, tiredness, weight gain'. Was on previous meds, all had side effects, but Genvoya is by far the worst."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2017

For HIV Infection "Update! I initially gave my review about Genvoya within the first few days of starting it. Two months in, I have great news. My viral load has been checked twice since taking Genvoya two months ago. First month, VL went from 20000 to 459, CD4 went from 370 to 570. Second month, VL went from 459 to 102. This is lifesaving medicine. In the first few days, I had slight nausea and a headache, a feeling of Bengay or icy rub on my arms and hands. After two months, zero side effects with the exception of being hungry all the time. I'm energetic, not tired anymore, everyone says I have this glow, feel really great! I take Genvoya with food and without. I take it before bed. This is great medicine. I can drink a beer with it, no side effects at all... I absolutely love Genvoya."

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2018

For HIV Infection "I loved Atripla, but my boyfriend brought to my attention all of its long-term effects, so my doctor switched me to Genvoya. Except for the dreams, I had no immediate Atripla side effects, but with Genvoya, I can't say the same. I've been on it for about nine months. My arms, legs, hands, and feet go numb. My weight gain has been rapid and ridiculous. I urinate constantly but hardly defecate. My joints ache. I have awful headaches. I constantly feel full and bloated. The kidney discomfort is unreal. My muscles sometimes ache, too. I even have testicular pain. When I soon see my doctor, I'll request a new regimen. For the first time in fourteen incredibly healthy years, I'm considering going off meds altogether. I hate Genvoya."

• Hi ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2016

For HIV Infection "I hope it can help you to choose to switch or not to this med. I was on Atripla for 5 years (everything great, but some common side effects like the alcohol feeling after 1 hour of taking it). My doc told me there is a new one, lighter for long-term use and without neurological side effects, Genvoya. First day (maybe because of the switch): nausea all night and vomiting. First week: a really strong headache all day long and dizzy spells. And when someone used sarcasm, for example, I couldn't get it directly like my brain was so low. Also, to focus on a talk, it was really hard. I wasn't me anymore. So, I told my doc, and he said it's ok, you tried enough, you can restart Atripla from tonight, and I REALLY prefer my 1-hour drunk feeling than this all day!"

• Ano...
• July 9, 2017

For HIV Infection "Female - HIV pos since 2014 - current viral load: undetectable. I've been on Genvoya for about 2 months, and I love it. Little to no side effects. The first week, I've had mild headaches, none now that I've been on it. Suspecting mild weight gain, however, I could be wrong. I've only gained 5 extra lbs: may or may not be the medicine. Love Genvoya."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2018

For HIV Infection "Back in 2016, I was diagnosed HIV+, and for the first year, I was dreading sleep, I didn’t want to die in my sleep. I first was on Stribild, and it wasn’t working enough. So then the doctors put me on Genvoya a year later now that Stribild is too expensive for my insurance to cover. Stribild would make me hurt constantly. Now, being on Genvoya, I’m healthy, though I was having diarrhea most nights. So I decided to go another route that is not FDA approved. I have added in Limu, which is a seaweed. My doctors have now run tests, and since then, all my vitals are back to normal, my HIV is undetectable to where they can’t find any trace of my virus, and my health is amazing. I’m no longer feeling pain, my headaches are gone. My CD4 count is extremely high. Now they say I may end up living to be 100. Though I do stay on Genvoya for now. Let’s see what my future may bring."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2017

For HIV Infection "I diagnosed on May 2017, CD4 309, VL 5050. I am almost at my fourth week, and everything is fine. I didn’t have any side effects, actually maybe the first day stomach ache and headaches. After 30 days, I can say I feel normal, healthy, and safe again :) waiting for my results."

• ALE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2019

For HIV Infection "My first day after Genvoya pill. A little diarrhea and smelly flatulence. My tummy is grumbling. Other feelings a little headache-but maybe that's from the weather outside. Apart from that, nothing noticeable. So far, I think this is a good medicine."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2019

For HIV Infection "3 days on Genvoya and I don't really feel I am taking medicine... Maybe a little headache."