Cobicistat / elvitegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide and Upset Stomach: 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!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 12, 2020

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed with HIV as a teen, it was a really hard time for me, and it took a lot of growing for me to understand the changes that were coming to me. My first days on Genvoya were filled with vomiting (which is normal after your first doses). The vomiting went away after a day or so-also due to using ginger to stop the nausea. I also noticed vivid dreams that were not normal to me. Slight weight gain-which was what I wanted. I do notice till this day if I go hours without eating, my stomach will become upset. Even at night sometimes I have pains that wake me up, but as soon as I eat something, even small, it goes away. I have been undetectable for about 2 years now. I am learning to take better care of myself and am on a journey to happiness."

• Zig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2016

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Genvoya now for 11 days. Recently diagnosed with really good lab CBC ranges, CD4 count, and low viral load (was exposed early, year 2016). I take it at noon every day with my lunch, just to remain consistent. I can tell the medication is doing some work. My body feels different. I get really sleepy an hour after taking. The first few days, I felt warmer inside, even though I never have a temp. The indigestion is also very apparent and annoying at times. I noticed this the first day I started treatment. I also have some stomach cramping and a frequent need to urinate. Cramping discomfort is very low grade. I think my body is working hard to clear and filter all the virus. I feel good overall."

• Ajh...
• May 18, 2018

For HIV Infection "Okay, so I just switched from taking Genvoya, which I think was giving me crazy dreams daily. So, my doctor gave me Biktarvy, a new drug that just came out in February 2018. I just started taking it for the past 3 days, threw up a few times, had an upset stomach, probably my body adjusting to new meds. I'll keep everyone posted. Stay healthy, God bless."

• Aus...
• December 25, 2017

For HIV Infection "I'm a 40-year-old male. I've been taking Genvoya for about 8 months now. In the beginning, it wasn't too bad, but lately, I've been noticing sleep problems. Every night, I have weird dreams or nightmares. Also, nausea and stomach cramps. Some days are good, and some days I feel out of it. I'm going to talk to my doctor about changing to a different med. I noticed it's good to drink a lot of water when you're on these meds. Plus, lately, I noticed protein in my urine. I took a urine test, and the doctor says it's one level above normal. I told the doctor I think the meds are causing that, so we'll see what happens. I'll keep you guys posted. Stay healthy, everyone."

• Gui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2018

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed within approx. 3-4 weeks after infection, and the doctor prescribed Genvoya immediately after the results came back. I had been horribly sick for almost 10 days or more. Within 2-3 days, I was feeling much, much better, and within a week or two, I felt completely healthy. I'm blessed in that I only had one or two issues with an upset stomach. Now, as long as I take it very regularly and with food, I've not experienced any side effects. I will be going in for six-month tests within the next few weeks. I'm a bit worried about cholesterol as, while it had been high, I managed to reduce it by a lot prior to taking Genvoya. In fact, here is a tip: I lost weight by going on Nutrisystem for 3-4 months (lost almost 30 lbs). Also, each morning, I mix some greens (spinach, kale mostly) with some fresh or frozen fruit and a scoop of protein powder. I also eat a lot more greens throughout the week, and I feel this has really helped bring down my cholesterol."

• 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."

• spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2017

For HIV Infection "The first day was awful... nausea, vomiting for hours, stomach ache that started about 8 hours after taking the pill (and lasted about 5 or 6 hours). I stopped it for one week because it was Christmas time and had to stay at my parents' house. The second time I took it, it was the same, nausea and vomiting for hours. But the day after, I took the pill again after dinner and the side effects disappeared, except for the overproduction of gas, which is still happening after two weeks. But it seems to work very fast... the ganglions are decreasing dramatically!"