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Efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Atripla

Efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir has an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 from a total of 108 reviews on Drugs.com. 91% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 3% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
HIV Infection  
9.1
 107 reviews for HIV Infection 71 medications
Nonoccupational Exposure  
9.0
 1 reviews for Nonoccupational Exposure 25 medications
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Reviews for Efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir

  • 123PO...
  • March 28, 2018

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I suspected something was wrong, I had the night sweats for about 2 weeks, couple months later, shingles then thrush. Early 2006 I lost close to 100 Lbs and became very sick. I was told that a former partner of mine had died of HIV pneumonia. Summer of 2006, blood work showed low platelets, and high white blood cells, tested 4 HIV came back as positive I felt floored. My CD4 was around 20 and viral load was off the charts. Full blown AIDS. I thought I was going to die. I was 38 then. I was put on Atripla, stabilized in 3 months put on a few pounds, 6 months later my CD4 was around 1200 and I was undetectable. Side effects, vivid dreams, nausea. Found it easier to take it in the A.M. on an empty stomach. Atripla saved my life, for which I am GRATEFUL. Today in 3-2018, still, undetectable, CD4,1200. I am 50 and pretty much healthy. Thank you for reading my story. It is so important to get checked EARLY and start treatment. I didn't and it almost cost me my life. Hope this helps someone. Anonymous"

10 / 10
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53 Report
  • GCJ
  • September 22, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) 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 CD4's, 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."

9 / 10
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58 Report
  • Zoulou
  • April 29, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Diagnosed 2008 CD4: 4, viral load 50k, pneumonia, TB (liver): hospitalised for two weeks and slowly recovered. Brilliant, calm, methodical physician saved my life. Bloods dropped within 2 weeks to undetectable, CD 4 permanently hovering under 200. Permanent prophylaxis Purbac DS. But in 5 years not even a cold, no diarrhoea, no more headaches. The greatest, most wonderful gift of life after the most terrible, frightening decline into the bleak realization I was full blown. I am stronger now in my mid-50's than I have been for the last 15 years. No side effects. My dreams were always kind of crazy. Now they just seem better scripted. GET TESTED EARLY. GET THE REST OF YOUR LIFE BACK."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • Cheye...
  • December 23, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I was diagnosed with full blown AIDS in June of 2013. My CD4 was 93 with a viral load over 10 million. I immediately started Atripla and 2 months later was undetectable. The only side effects I had were the weird dreams, And I still have them, but they can be rather enjoyable. I just call it, "a triple theater.""

10 / 10
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49 Report
  • CJRon
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 24, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I was sick 7 years ago, immediately after being infected, so there was very little time to do damage to my body without being on medication. I started on Atripla, and was undetectable within 30 days and CD4 went from 350 to 900. I still have weird dreams, but otherwise my health has never been better. I take a strict daily vitamin regimen in addition to my Atripla. I only have to see the doctor twice a year now. I am so fortunate. This medication is amazing."

10 / 10
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  • poz...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 17, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I had tested Hiv almost three years ago, and been on Atripla for about two. This is miraculous and easy to take. One pill at bedtime, which all is needed to control the virus. My T cells counts went from 500 to 850 to 1000. My Viral Load went undetectable in weeks and I do not have bad experience or any issues with this medicine after two years. The first week on Atripla caused me some side effects like rashes that were controlled by Benadryl, vivid dreams, and upset stomach. But nothing serious. These symptoms disappeared in week or two and I feel healthy, strong, working out, bench pressing, taking classes, and life goes on. It is a lifesaver; without it, I would not be here sharing my experience."

9 / 10
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43 Report
  • CoolD...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 21, 2014

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Re: lost_found1982 Stick to your guns - You know your body better than everyone else! Less than 2 years ago I was in hospital with a very serious illness which needed to be attended to first before I was able to start Atripla. The period between Christmas & New Year 2012 included a positive result to a HIV test (as a Christmas present) and a CD4 count of 13 as the surprise in the box - Seriously! It would not be until late March last year when I took my first tablet and have never looked back & currently have a count of 484. I took charge of my body in conjunction with 2 GP's, a specialist and a clinical Psychologist to get me through many hurdles, heartbreaks & trusted friends. I'm back at working outdoors & enjoying the gift!"

9 / 10
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34 Report
  • gsajr
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 1, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) 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 <100 CD4=124. All internal systems normalized. I started getting my energy back and gained weight. I have resumed a normal life. It turns out that I did get my miracle and a second chance at living. Thanks to God, an incredibly supportive medical staff, and Atripla. Hope."

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • livin...
  • March 26, 2008

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Very easy to follow recommended dosage and adherence with very little side effects. Have had very successful results with regard to undetectable viral load and relatively high T-Cell count for a long period of time."

9 / 10
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49 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 31, 2008

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) 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 servere insomnia and my brain wouldn't shut down at night. I lost a great deal of sleep and now my doctor has me taking dyphenhidromine 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 undectable and CD4 count is around 700-800."

6 / 10
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  • PUPITU
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 11, 2014

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Infected mid-Nov 2013, primary infecwtion symptoms at beginning of Dec (fatigue, chills followed by heat and sweating, third week of December swollen lymph nodes, mucous discharge in throat), diagnosed January 8, 2014 (panic, denial (must have been a false positive.)), west blot confirmed January 10, 2014. Tests Jan 14, 2014: CD4 372, viral load 320,000, CD4/8 0.5 Follow-up on Feb 10, 2014: CD4 450, viral load 250,000 CD4/8 0.6. Atripla started March 4, 2014. First day dizzy, body itch (not bad), itch in my balls (unbearable all night). After day 1, all bad effects gone. Two weeks later skin rash on the neck and chest, not itchy; cleared in 3 days. After 1 month: viral load 1110, cd4 1030, cd4/8 0.7 After 3 mo: viral load 127, CD4: 870, CD4/8: 1.0 6 month test in 3 wks."

9 / 10
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32 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 5, 2017

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Every night at bedtime I take my medication. sometimes its hard to get up and walk to the counter and get a glass of water to take a pill that is hard to swallow. YET... every night I do my ritual ALWAYS thinking of the beautiful people WHO COULDN'T take ANY medication because it hadn't been invented or wasn't available to them. All those beautiful bright eyes languishing away and we couldn't do anything for them. All those young boys and girls lost to a sea of despair. There was nothing we could do for them then. Corny, I know but truth nevertheless. So I get to the counter for my ATRIPLA"

10 / 10
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24 Report
  • storm...
  • April 17, 2014

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Been positive since 2008 and within 3 months of Atripla was undetectable and been that way ever since thank God, its been a long road but grateful to be alive. The medication is best taken at night and not during the day for it has a very dizzy and weakening spell to it."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • Gregg...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 23, 2014

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Been Positive since 1999 & Been taking Atripla since 2011 after changing from my first combination. Atripla has always made me undetectable viral load and CD4 has always been up in the 850 & 900 range, side effects only last less than a month for me, its such a wonder medicine. I am blessed."

10 / 10
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30 Report
  • grate...
  • March 4, 2010

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Was diagnosed with cytomeglovirus and HIV in November 2009...at dicharge my CD4 count 275...viral load of 3 million...started HIV therapy in January, 2010...came from my Doctor today and happy to report a CD4 count of 1300 and viral load count of 114...thanks to Atripla and Didanosine....Atripla is beautiful...who cares about a few very minor side effects....I get to live!"

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • Liveing...
  • December 15, 2009

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I have been on all different kinds of medicines to treat HIV. I have lived with this virus for 20 years. I have been on Atripla for about 3 or 4 years. The virus has been non-detectable for 2 years. Atripla in my opinion helped save my life."

10 / 10
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  • Mount...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 15, 2014

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I had full blown AIDS in 2004 with a count of 93 and viral load was enormous. I heard you can build a tolerance to Atripla in 3 or 4 years but I haven't. I've taken it for a decade now. No side effects at all. My count is at a steady 800 and I'm always undetectable. I never had any effects. When I first took it I felt a bit high. But I just took it before I went to bed. Now I can't even tell if I've taken it or not. This is a guess and simply a personal observation of myself but I think it may cause a heightened sensitivity to wheat. I gained weight, cholesterol went up, triglycerides Sky rocketed about 5 years into it. I just stopped soy, wheat and dairy for three months and everything went back to normal. I have no clue if the medicine is it."

10 / 10
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  • 9JR
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 11, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Diagnosed 4 years ago with a CD4 count of 70. 49 months of Atripla and have been undetectable since soon after starting....and my CD4 is now 500. As others have said, this pill is literally a lifesaver."

10 / 10
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  • Still...
  • May 19, 2016

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Cd4 190 went up to 400 (after a yr) now undetectable, had crazy dreams but not as much. Still struggling, crying spells and sad at times. Very ashamed & embarrassed. Meds are good overall, but i wish i neva got in this mess."

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • JayCee
  • July 29, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in April 2013 after getting really sick with fungal meningitis. My CD4 was 41 and the viral load was 260.000. After one month, the CD4 went to 71 (which wasn't supposed to increase as much), and the viral load was undetectable. Many people recommend to take the pill with an empty stomach, but I haven't done this, and it hasn't been a problem. I never had crazy dreams, though the first weeks were kind of hard because I used to get nauseous. Now it's all good. This pill rocks!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 3, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Did a great job lowering viral load (18,000 to <20 in 2 months) and my CD4 has increased from 280 to 987 in the year I've been taking it. That being said I do suffer some side effects. Insomnia and hyper-realistic dreams/nightmares. I also get dizziness, sometimes severe, about two hours after taking it. The dizziness has been largely solved by ensuring I don't eat two hours prior to my dose. Then I eat right as I take my pill. Otherwise the medicine gives me terrible heartburn. Now that I am stabilized I am going to discuss switching to Complera to escape the side effects."

7 / 10
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  • Kenny
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • February 11, 2020

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I was on atripla for 10 years and my doctor begged me to switch for years and then finally about a year ago I took that leap of faith she said to take and got on Genvoya and ever since I have felt ill and heavy tired feeling! I puked last night and had diarrhea! I felt like death rolled over me so today I call my Hiv doctor and she said it’s to detrimental for you health but she gave it to me for 10 years and when I switched my labs was fine! She’s hates atripla and I guess if it’s people’s last option they die because she won’t give it out! Also she put in my medical records it’s detrimental to my health after she lied to me about it being discontinued! She also put in my record Genvoya is the drug she wants me on even though it’s being detrimental to my health right now! I’m not taking Genvoya anymore because I can’t handle what it does "

10 / 10
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  • JPLB
  • April 25, 2010

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I have been on Atripla successfully for over 2 years but now am having increased trouble concentrating and remembering things that I used to take for granted. I used to be a very sharp and alert person, but now I am seeing my doctor on Monday to ask if I can switch to something else because my depression and concentration is unbearable. I am a very high functioning partner at a firm and I am noticeably less sharp! I am bummed because I don't want to switch yet! I thought I would be on this for 10 years before I had to find something else. Also fatigue and muscle loss is more evident. I am however grateful that my counts are very good, but wow - I need to get a grip on my joy and alertness again!"

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 11, 2013

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "I have been taking Atripla for little over a month. Like most of the comments on here, my numbers after 10 years of being HIV were starting to change. Within 30 days I was back to an undetectable status. I have had little to no side effects, other than the weird dreams from time to time. I consider myself quite fortunate that my body is tolerating the medicine well and I hope it continues to do so."

10 / 10
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  • lost_...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 16, 2014

Atripla (efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir) for HIV Infection "Was diagnosed in Feb 2008 and started Atripla the beginning of 2009. Experienced fatigue and lightheaded the first week but has been undetectable every since. Great medicine, doctors want to take me off because of their own personal issues and experiences but I refuse. "

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.