Dovato and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2021

For HIV Infection "I've been on Dovato for 9 months now, and it causes extreme anxiety and weird vision for me. But upon reading the reviews of other drugs, I think I would rather be a hermit crab with bad anxiety than have liver issues, hair loss, and insomnia like the other drugs cause. Besides anxiety and weird vision issues, it has caused no issues, lol. Wish the anxiety would chill out."

• Ant...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 6, 2021

For HIV Infection "Started to feel unwell around 4 months ago, having been on Dovato for 4 months at that point (previously on Stribild, which served me well). I developed very high levels of anxiety (including very bleak thoughts), difficulty sleeping, as well as abdominal/esophageal hypersensitivity and feelings of nausea. Agreed with my consultant today to switch back to Stribild. I have a strong suspicion the symptoms I've been experiencing are related to the Dovato but clearly don't know for sure. My post here is simply to share my experience and hopefully help others with their decision-making. Thank you to everyone for your useful posts."

• Unk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2021

For HIV Infection "I hope someone can relate to my experience. I have been taking Dovato for two months now. I was initially on Atripla and took it for less than two weeks. I was highly allergic to it, confused, depressed, always feeling high, like I drank whole bottles of wine. I wasn’t stable and wanted to die. That was the longest two weeks of my life, and I didn’t think I would survive. Finally, I was put on Trimuq! I felt normal, happy, and hopeful, it worked very well, and my CD4 greatly improved. My doctor suggested after 2 months to switch me to Dovato, smaller in size, less toxicity. I was looking forward to it. A month into the drug, itchy skin, small bumps on my arms, tummy, back, turning black, and black spots on my feet (don’t know if black spots on my feet were initially caused by Atripla or Trimuq, as I noticed them only a month into Dovato), muscle spasms, pins and needles, crawling skin, a bit light-headed, and now a couple of days of heart palpitations, dreams, anxiety."

• Ant...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2020

For HIV Infection "Since startup on Dovato, I experienced rapid weight loss; disorientation or anxiety, rapid heart rate (I use the smartwatch to monitor the bizarre variances), gradual difficulty breathing as if at high altitudes; morphine had the same results. Unable to sleep because heart rate drops to 56, causing oxygen-related anxieties. DVTs taking a rapid change since startup. Acud buildup, and I need iron and can't take it with Dovato."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2023

For HIV Infection "I am so thankful for Dovato. I was so scared because of all the bad reviews, but they helped me get off Genvoya, which caused me severe OCD anxiety. Dovato has been a lifesaver for me. Once I got off Genvoya, my anxiety went from 95% to 15% daily. I’m hoping my triglycerides and cholesterol go back to normal since Genvoya did more harm to me. Don’t be scared to try Dovato. Do your research, it is much better to remove TAF/TDF and Emtricitabine, which can cause severe anxiety."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2025

For HIV Infection "Least side effects of all medications I took for HIV. Currently having problems with depression, anxiety, weight gain, high triglycerides, high cholesterol. I am not sure about muscle pain or just sore from workout. I am doing omega-3 ethyl esters 2 mg, niacin low flush, D3K2 vitamin. I work out hoping it will help with side effects. Last blood pressure was 145/62, pulse 52."