Atripla and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2008

For HIV Infection "I've been on it for 2 years, and the side effects were minimal at first, but after a year, I began to experience severe insomnia, and my brain wouldn't shut down at night. I lost a great deal of sleep, and now my doctor has me taking diphenhydramine to counteract these side effects, but it isn't working well. I keep my appointments with my HIV doctor every 6 months so he can do blood workups and check everything. My viral load is undetectable, and my CD4 count is around 700-800."

• Anonymous
• August 3, 2013

For HIV Infection "Did a great job lowering viral load (18,000 to"

• Flo...
• January 24, 2013

For HIV Infection "I have been living with HIV for the last 13 years and currently have been on Atripla for the last 18 days. I must say that it gave me very restless nights, insomnia. But the bright side is that it works perfectly if taken last at night when about to go to bed. My question is, does this medicine also deposit fat from the hips to the waist? It's been working well as it's one tablet a day. I thank God for giving me a second chance and praying that I will live to see the next 20 years."

• Flo...
• January 24, 2013

For HIV Infection "I have been living with HIV for the last 13 years and currently have been on Atripla for the last 18 days. I must say that it gave me very restless nights, insomnia. But the bright side is that it works perfectly if taken last at night when about to go to bed. My question is, does this medicine also deposit fat from the hips to the waist? It's been working well as it's one tablet a day. I thank God for giving me a second chance and praying that I will live to see the next 20 years."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2012

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Atripla for just over 24 months. I was recommended to start after my CD4 dropped to around 400 after 2 years of contracting the virus. I was advised to take it before bed, did this for the first 2 months and suffered vivid dreams and also insomnia. 3 months later, a month of diarrhea. I decided to move my dose until around 5 pm on an empty stomach so I could then eat my dinner for around 6:30 pm each night. I usually go to bed before midnight and have had no further issues with sleep or any other side effects. CD4 on average around 1000 and undetectable. Just weird having to take medicines when you feel fine. I hope I get another 20 years from this medication, by this time I'm sure there will be advancements in treatment."

• God...
• April 8, 2015

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed last April 2014. I believe I was infected June 2013. That was the only time I experienced a really bad cold with night sweats, high temperature, and chills. I thought it was just a cold. I was together with my partner for 10 years, and he never disclosed that he knew. I kept on seeing billboards regarding HIV, and it felt as if they were in every corner. I got tested, and it came out positive in April 2014. I was freaked out. CD4 at 450. I decided to take Atripla yesterday, 4/7/15, because I felt I needed it for my own health. I was freaked out and still am. No side effects other than drowsy at night and a bit of insomnia. Let's see how this works for my body. I pray I look normal."

• Loo...
• January 19, 2010

For HIV Infection "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."

• Sas...
• February 27, 2017

For HIV Infection "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."

• Hot...
• December 27, 2010

For HIV Infection "I've been on Atripla for 10 months now and have had my CD4 count go from 64 to 310 and viral load from high to undetectable. Side effects at first were pretty wild: hallucinations and insomnia, especially when combined with Ambien, which I've completely stopped now. I take it every night and no longer have any side effects. I look and feel much better and am very thankful for this medicine."

• Jo ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 6, 2013

For HIV Infection "I took Atripla for two years. Major bad side effects. Depression, insomnia, cholesterol issues, and pain. I recommend Complera. I just switched to Complera, and I can sleep again."