Atripla for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• December 28, 2010

"I was hospitalized in October of 2010 with cryptococcal meningitis, a TC 4 count of 128 and a viral load of somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000. I started Atripla on Thanksgiving week and in one month my VR is 1,000 but my TC 4 count has only gone up to 151. I have vivid dreams nightly and find that I urinate a lot more. I'd have to give this medication 2 thumbs up as far as the quickness and the very minimal amount of side effects."

• PUP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2015

"I reported first in August 2014. My 6 mo labs on Sept 6, 2014: CD4: 1050, VL: undetectable (<20), CD4/CD8: 0.8 but: high creatinine, somewhat elevated ALT, AST, high triglycerides. My 10 month labs on Jan 13, 2015: CD4: 1080, VL: 116 (blip...), CD4/CD8: 1.2, kidneys back to normal, but: even higher ASL, ALT than last time, high triglycerides. 12 mo labs on March 4, 2015 overall clinical situation: liver seems to be suffering (efavirenz), I get crabby and angry more easily than before, I seem disinterested in things I used to be interested in before. So -- can't wait to change. Doc talking about abacavir/lamivudine/nevirapine (Kivexa + Viramune). I asked if I can have Triumeq but he doesn't like dolutegravir's unknown long term side effects."

• Cit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2016

"Yo guys! Tested positive on April '14 with VL 37,000 after a major fever event. Couldn't start early treatment because of insurance issues, needed 4 years' seniority with the insurance company to apply for HIV treatment. One year later my numbers on Jan '15 were VL 119,000 and CD4 654. Started Atripla 2 years later after testing positive on April '16 with VL 399,000 (10 times higher than when diagnosed) and CD4 427. After 6 weeks of taking Atripla, my numbers are VL 474 (pretty amazing drop) and CD4 440. I was pretty happy with these results, but my doctor wasn't. He expected me to become undetectable as of now but asked me to continue for two more months to see more progress. Absolutely no side effects except for feeling a bit high the first week."

• Def...
• August 13, 2016

"I found out in 2010 I was infected with HIV after my partner also tested positive. Whilst he went the route of a government program, I went to a private doctor and used my insurance from work (government plan). I was given Atripla. The first weeks were horrible. I experienced severe shortness of breath and could barely sleep. I had to sleep (at least try) sideways with the AC directly to my face. The dizziness was crazy, as if I had drank alcohol all night. My face would get red, and I would feel hot. Regarding the strange dreams, well, I always had vivid dreams and nightmares all of my life, so it wasn't new. Other than that, I'm still using Atripla daily at bedtime and became undetectable within 6 months from starting."

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2009

"I've been on Atripla for a year and a half for HIV and HBV co-infection. My viral load is undetectable, and it has also been very effective in treating the HBV as well. The side effect I experience is dizziness, which my doctor was able to correct with a low dose of Restoril (7.5 mg), which completely eliminated the side effects. I take both at bedtime and do not suffer from the insomnia common with Atripla."

• Loo...
• January 19, 2010

"Just started treatment and was put on Atripla. Minimal side effects, but my insomnia is overwhelming. I lay in bed for 3 or 4 hours trying to sleep. I have asked my doctor to switch me to something that does not cause sleeplessness, as I am feeling ratty with no sleep."

• Rob...
• November 18, 2017

"On it for 5 years. Viral load was 1,300,000 and CD4 count 120. Great medication. Within 6 months undetectable and current CD count 1,300. Mild weight gain and can only take at bedtime as it makes me drowsy, love the dreams. Good medication."

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2012

"I have been taking Atripla for just over a week now. The first day was the worst, and I did not move much off the couch. Since then, I have been symptom-free except for the odd light-headed feeling or sick feeling in the stomach, which a cup of black tea resolves. I normally take my dose about 9:30 pm before bed and sleep. I am yet to experiment with a night out on this medicine."

• Dan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 19, 2017

"I've been taking Atripla for almost 10 years with great success! Adjusting was tough for me, it took over 5 months before the dizziness and light-headedness would not be daily. I still have vivid dreams, and my weight just will not go down (I don't need to lose much, but 20 lbs is tough enough to lose at 60!). Dreams are my biggest problem. I'm switching to Genvoya on Jan 1st. Hopes for the best!"

• Kan...
• February 6, 2015

"I started Atripla in September of 2013. I had horrible side effects for a year. And I am still fighting issues with my counts. When my viral load goes down, so do my CD4 counts. My viral load will not stay down. It varied between 30 and 60 while my CD4 counts have never been over 200."

• Mik...
• March 15, 2017

"It was great to bring the viral load quickly to undetectable, but otherwise, it was not a great experience. Was on it for about 8 months. Headaches, fatigue, weirdest dreams, irritability, depression, and almost committed suicide. Got off that drug, and a few days later, I started to feel like myself again."

• JDa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 28, 2018

"I started Atripla in 2012 and was not a fan of it. It did lower my VL and raise my CD4, but the side effects were horrible. I never felt like I got any sleep after a full night of sleep. I woke up tired and with a cloudy mind. I couldn’t remember things for the life of me. It gave me cotton mouth. All around, I felt like a zombie. My quality of life did not improve because I wasn’t living it. I had no energy and was depressed for the longest time. For all medical purposes, this medicine does work when it comes to lowering your VL and increasing your CD4. I remained undetectable since I got on it until now, I’m 2018. Now my VL is back up, but my CD4 is good and I am switching to a different medication, and I am very impressed with it so far!"

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2012

"I have been on it for 2 years, CD4 900-1000, undetectable viral load. Started at 356 CD4 and 27K viral load. Have not noticed any side effects, I take it before bed at night. Missed 1 dose in two years, so I have good adherence, which you need for any of the antiviral medicines to work."

• Luc...
• August 2, 2011

"I was admitted to the hospital in March 2011, my viral load was 1,730,000.00 (yep, million) and CD4 count 30. I also had cryptococcal and was in a bad state. My doctor prescribed Atripla after cryptococcal was brought under control. Within 2 months, dropping my viral load to 300 and upping my CD4 to 135, I was feeling better than ever, with more energy."

• Sas...
• February 27, 2017

"I started taking Tribuss in December. My CD4 count was 450, and its end in February my CD4 is 880. It really worked for me, but the side effects in the first month were horrible, from having hallucinations and insomnia. But they are getting better now. The only problem is my mood swings. Ever since I started taking Tribuss, I feel very depressed, and Tenofovir's side effects are better than Tribuss."

• JJ ...
• July 22, 2010

"I've been on Atripla for about 2 and a half years. My viral load and CD4 are looking good. But I have had the most terrible time with bowel movements since I started, I have severe constipation. I have mucus buildup like crazy in my nose. I'm always sniffing or coughing, and I still suffer from dizziness and lightheadedness throughout the day. I'm going to talk to my doctor soon about changing this medication because using an enema every morning is a drag. Other than that, the medicine has been good."

• Jof...
• November 5, 2010

"I've been on Atripla now for 2 months, and it's a great drug. There were definitely some wicked side effects: strange dreams, frequent bathroom trips, and mild hallucinations, but after a few weeks they were gone, and in 3 weeks I went from a viral load of over 35,000 to undetectable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

"I was infected on April 3, 2021, and didn't know it then. At the end of April, I came down with a terrible flu that included vomiting and diarrhea for a week. Between April and June, I lost 10 kg, which I thought was due to stress. I was slowly starting to pick up weight again towards the end of June, so I didn't think much of it. Three months later (in July), I tested and got a faint line on the rapid test at home. A week later, I was diagnosed with HIV, VL 25,000, and CD4 400. I started on Atripla immediately, and I experienced rapid heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, and foggy memory for a few weeks. Thereafter, I did not have any side effects. I'm due for monitoring in February 2022."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2009

"I've been on Atripla for about 2 years with very good results! The only thing that is slightly annoying is the food restrictions, which can interfere with going to bed when I want to because I work a varied schedule and sometimes don't get a chance to eat dinner until late, and the way I feel after taking it varies too much to risk taking it during the day or early evening. However, if that's the only problem, then I'll take it over having to take multiple doses any day!"

• BB-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2016

"I was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in early October of 2015. My CD4 count was at 89 and my Viral Load up to 182,000/mL. I began taking Atripla on Nov. 10, 2015. I went in for my 6-week follow-up on December 15th. After receiving my test results, I was pleasantly surprised. My CD4 count had jumped to 394, and my Viral Load dropped to 2,185 - after only 6 weeks of treatment. Another thing - I actually take my pill first thing in the morning when I wake up. With my schedule, it is difficult for me to take it on an empty stomach in the evenings. I'm more prone to adhere to the pill in the AM when my stomach is already empty. I use my phone with an alarm set for every morning as a fail-safe."

• mau...
• February 4, 2016

"I was nervous all day waiting for my first pill and was kind of shaking during my dinner, I took my pill right after that. Two hours later, I felt relaxed, a little dizzy, my ears were hearing a whistle, my face was a little red, but I was happy."

• Kal...
• November 4, 2010

"These pills significantly and quickly lowered my viral load as well as raised my CD4 count. Within 3 months, I went from an almost 65,000 viral load to undetectable. On the other hand, I have had severe issues with nausea; reoccurring bladder/kidney irritation. I had to increase my methadone to 100 ml from 40 ml over a course of 5 months and am still having issues with it. As well, I have trouble finding a time I can take my rabeprazole when it won't affect my other medicines. In general, Atripla is a Godsend for my HIV, though I am 7 months into taking it and am finding no end to, in fact, an increase of nausea, even if there isn't an increase in vomiting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2012

"I went to the ER with a cluster headache on January 15, 2012. The doctor looked at my eyes and recommended that I do an HIV test. Needless to say, a few days later the results came back positive with a CD4 count of 4. Apart from the severe headache attacks, I have never had any problems. I started Atripla at the beginning of February with no side effects apart from the dreams. I have never had the headache attack since. I am having my review tests later in May. I am praying for the best."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2012

"I am taking Atripla for almost a year since I discovered I'm HIV positive. I had side effects only in the first 2 weeks when I started, since then, nothing. I am still feeling good, undetectable, and CD4 was 188 and now is 550. I don't know how I will be in the future."

• Dan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 12, 2017

"I was diagnosed in 2007 and started Atripla in 2009, about 18 months later. Atripla is my only HIV medication so far, along with other meds (Omeprazole, Crestor, 81 mg aspirin, daily vitamins, etc.), and all is well -- except for my dreams and weight. It was really tough for my body to acclimate to Atripla. I had night sweats, heavy nightmares, dizziness, bloating stomach, lightheaded disorientation, etc. My job is 24/7 emergency on call, so I had to consciously omit the Atripla if I knew I had to be up in 4 hours. All of that has mellowed for me -- but the dreams still are regular. They vary from light & pleasant to dark and threatening -- at times the dreams are so real I cannot tell the difference. I question my memory of specific events."