Efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• GCJ...
• September 22, 2013

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in 2001. It wasn't until August 2006 that HIV took its toll, and I plummeted to full-blown AIDS, literally overnight from feeling great and then waking up the next morning out of nowhere with my first ever thrush. It later progressed to esophageal thrush, liver decline from a very high viral load, and shingles. With a viral load of 1.5 million and low CD4s, I was gravely ill and had to take a 6-month leave of absence from work to go through weekly physicals. I was given Atripla. Within 3 weeks, infections were gone, viral load undetectable, and 7 years later I'm in perfect health. Side effects only lasted the first few days (drowsiness). Vivid dreams lasted 5 years, but are gone. Two blips in 7 years, and perfect adherence."

• gsa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2013

For HIV Infection "Started Atripla 4/12. VL >300,000, CD4=54. CBC, optical, pulmonary, & endocrine systems in very bad shape. Shingles x 2 & MRSA over a 7-year period of time. Exhausted, sore all over, falling asleep at work & while driving. Chronic sinusitis & tonsillitis. I was 'wasting.' Severely depressed. On and on. IDC specialist said that I was 'end stage,' and that there was a good chance that I could die soon without a miraculous recovery. After 3 weeks on Atripla & Septra, VL"

• 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."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2014

For HIV Infection "I have been using Atripla now for about three months. I haven't gotten my second blood test. However, when I began taking Atripla, my CD4 was 386 and my viral load was 85K. I was experiencing acute respiratory problems. As soon as I began taking Atripla, within several weeks, my lymph nodes began to shrink and the respiratory issue (persistent cough) went away. Side Effects: Severe drowsiness ('drunk feeling') - 24 hrs, severe nausea - 24 hrs, vivid dreams - 2 weeks (mostly clowns and snakes), sleepiness - 2 weeks ... I still only take Atripla at night, but it no longer makes me as sleepy as it did when I first started taking it. I do not yet know how my numbers have improved. I'll report back in a few weeks with those."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2014

For HIV Infection "I have been using Atripla now for about three months. I haven't gotten my second blood test. However, when I began taking Atripla, my CD4 was 386 and my viral load was 85K. I was experiencing acute respiratory problems. As soon as I began taking Atripla, within several weeks, my lymph nodes began to shrink and the respiratory issue (persistent cough) went away. Side Effects: Severe drowsiness ('drunk feeling') - 24 hrs, severe nausea - 24 hrs, vivid dreams - 2 weeks (mostly clowns and snakes), sleepiness - 2 weeks ... I still only take Atripla at night, but it no longer makes me as sleepy as it did when I first started taking it. I do not yet know how my numbers have improved. I'll report back in a few weeks with those."

• Rob...
• November 18, 2017

For HIV Infection "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."

• smo...
• November 21, 2009

"I've been taking Atripla from my diagnosis in 02/07, and it's not let me down yet. The only side effect that I seem to have is that it makes me a bit drowsy. I found that it's best taken at bedtime. From what I have seen here, I'm one of the lucky ones by being able to take just one pill a day versus a cocktail of pills."