Dolutegravir and Tiredness: 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."

• Ita...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 2, 2020

For HIV Infection "Been HIV+ for 14 years now, and my doctor just changed my medicine from Odefsey, which was working just fine, no side effects. And now I have been under Tivicay for 3 weeks, and I'm experiencing nightmares, I do not sleep, have diarrhea, and I'm feeling tired all the time. Not happy at all!"

• Bik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2019

For HIV Infection "I've been on it for 9 months and finally got past the insomnia by taking it in the morning, but it makes me so tired and my arms and shoulders ache like never before. I've asked my doc about it, but nothing is coming back in the blood work, so it's got to be a neuro side effect. It's working well and keeping me undetectable in combination with Descovy, but it's a real struggle to maintain a full-time job. I sure didn't experience these symptoms when I was on Prezista/Norvir/Truvada."

• San...
• April 11, 2015

For HIV Infection "Though highly effective on what it needs to do, the side effects for me were not worth taking this medication. I'm a non-smoker, non-drinker, no drugs, and eat healthy with regular exercise. Before taking this (in combination with Truvada), I was bursting with energy, and in the course of six months, it seriously took the life and joy out of me. Waking up unrefreshed and feeling numb and exhausted and snappy. Been off Tivicay for a few days now and started Stribild. Feel so much better, happier, and energetic."

• arn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2019

For HIV Infection "Swapped from Atripla to Tivicay and Truvada. All was okay for the first six months, but slowly I became more and more tired, legs hurt, palpitations at times, felt exhausted, so I asked to go back to Atripla. I feel so much better on Atripla, so I will stay on it."

• arn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2019

For HIV Infection "Swapped from Atripla to Tivicay and Truvada. All was okay for the first six months, but slowly I became more and more tired, legs hurt, palpitations at times, felt exhausted, so I asked to go back to Atripla. I feel so much better on Atripla, so I will stay on it."