Dovato and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• SGN...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2022

For HIV Infection "Within a month of taking Dovato, I had an allergic reaction with facial swelling, the lumps were hard, and my cheekbones painful and lasted for a few days. I told the doc, he said it was sinusitis, something I never had before. So, I carried on with the medication, but the bouts of swelling happened so many times. I demanded to be listened to and switch meds, so I switched a month ago to Biktarvy, and so far, God willing, no more facial swelling. Also, while on it, my sleep was awful, with vivid dreams, mega tiredness, weight gain, and lots of aches and pains. Dovato kept me undetectable, but the CD4 dropped, which worried me a lot. I reported the side effects on the yellow card system (UK). I feel let down by my clinic allowing this to go on for so long-20+ bouts of swelling in 18 months and given antibiotics I didn’t need to have. I will switch again if needed, but I’ve convinced myself that Dovato was poison."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2023

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed with HIV in 2020, but I didn't seek treatment until 2022. I was prescribed Biktarvy (bictegravir + tenofovir alafenamide + emtricitabine). It got me undetectable in three months, but I developed lactic acidosis, which is a dangerous condition. I felt weak and more tired than usual, I also developed unusual muscle pain, shortness of breath while lying in bed, extreme stomach and intestinal pain with nausea, bloating, weight gain, and cold blue hands and feet. I also felt lightheaded and developed a fast, abnormal heartbeat. I changed doctors, and I asked to be placed on Dovato. It's now been four months, and I'm still undetectable, and my CD4 count is high. I'm feeling much healthier and more active. Biktarvy will surely work for others, and it will get you to undetectable fast, which is a good start. I believe that Dovato is the right medication for me. Don't feel scared, and start treatment as soon as possible, and you'll have a better chance of a normal life like me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2022

For HIV Infection "Been on it 5 weeks, changed from Atripla. My legs feel weak. I get leg cramps at night, don’t sleep so much, and my hair feels thinner than before. Seem to be putting on weight fast. Gonna stay with it."

• Fea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2023

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Dovato for a year now, but I constantly feel full and hungry at the same time. I have gained 30 lbs and slowed down a lot. Sometimes, I feel sad and have dark thoughts that I don't like, but my viral load and CD4 count are excellent. I have decided to go back to Atripla, which I took for 10 years and made me look healthy, with a model's frame and generally happy with my life. After Atripla, I tried Genvoya for 2 years, but it made me feel sad and like I was carrying bricks around my legs 24/7. I also gained weight rapidly and developed a kidney stone while on it, which is still in my kidney three years later. I really hope I don't have to switch medications anymore because this experience is scary and unsettling."

• 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."

• AML...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2023

For HIV Infection "Due to another condition on my body (HC), my doctor switched me from Genvoya to Biktarvy. However, Biktarvy had interactions with Mavired, and after I was cured of HC, my doctor advised me to continue taking Biktarvy. Although I read medical reviews indicating that Biktarvy could cause rapid weight gain, I decided to switch to Dovato. I was concerned when my January lab results showed that my CD4 count had increased, but my viral load count had also gone up, which I didn't fully understand. Recently, I spoke to my doctor about this, and he suggested I continue taking Dovato while he ordered some new labs to assess my current CD4 count and viral load. I am hopeful that my CD4 count will continue to increase, while my viral load will remain undetectable, as it was when I was taking Biktarvy and Genvoya. Despite these concerns, I remain optimistic about my decision to switch to Dovato."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2023

For HIV Infection "I was on Dovato for six months after being on Atripla for more than ten years. Suggested by my doctor as VLs were under 13 (undetectable) and CD4 stable between 650-750… but recently cholesterol levels have been going up and, most recently, some renal weakness. No significant side effects (and I could even take it during the day as it didn’t make me feel drunk like Atripla). My last stats were incredible. My blood sugar dropped by 2/3, and all other numbers for cholesterol, liver, kidney, and so on. So on those notes, EXCELLENT; I thought my alcohol intake had led to my blood sugar being very high, but it seems it was the Atripla… go figure. However, I gained at least 6 kg all in the abdomen and always feel uncomfortable and full (yet hungry?). Apparently, the weight gain is not a side effect for my type (my doctor said he had seen extreme weight gain of 15 kg, so not sure what to make of it, but due to the extra pounds I packed on, my doctor changed me to Biktarvy…"