Dolutegravir and Headaches: What Users Say

• Mar...
• June 4, 2020

For HIV Infection "I have been HIV+ for 15 years and never took any drugs before being started on Tivicay and Descovy. I managed to stick to the regimen for just one month. Tivicay made me feel really tired to the point I had to sleep during the day (not a working-friendly habit). I couldn't think, couldn't focus, or couldn't type because it seems that my fingers wouldn't coordinate. Of course, as others, I experienced a permanent headache and the impression of my brain being in a constant fog. I think the worst, though, was the nightmares. I got scared at the prospect of going to bed in the end. All in all, this has been a very poor experience, and I'm not sure I'm willing to forego all quality of life in exchange for possibly more 'within range' numbers."

• fus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2015

For HIV Infection "Got from VL120000 to undetectable in just a month, take it with Truvada once a day (I don't mind taking 2 pills a day at all), CD4 went from 530 to 980, a great combination for me with almost no side effects (was having some mild headaches, they are gone now). It's been 2 months since I started, and I feel much better now, gained about 10 lbs back. You must NOT wait to start your treatment, there is no benefit to it, don't let the virus kill your brain cells, destroy your immune system, start ASAP. I just wish I could have started sooner (insurance problems, the drugs are way too expensive). Good luck!"

• Tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2014

For HIV Infection "Started Tivicay and Epzicom on May 6th. Viral load was 200,000 and CD4 was 208. After 6 weeks, my viral load was 367 and CD4 was 337. Doctor said it was working very well, and I don't have to go back for labs until September. The first 2-3 weeks were pretty rough with diarrhea, headaches, and very low energy, but I'm feeling a bit better now. I was freaked out that the test did not come back as undetectable, but I asked my expert doctors and they said my results have been superb so far. I think people get hung up on being undetectable very quickly. If you start with a high viral load above, say, 100,000, it can take a few months to reach undetectable."

• Spe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2014

For HIV Infection "I have been on Tivicay for close to 4 weeks now. I was previously taking Atripla for about 5 years, and we switched to Tivicay. I have not been feeling so well on this. I experience headaches frequently, faintness, and moments of memory loss. I am switching this medicine as soon as possible."