Complera and Bloating: What Users Say

• BFB...
• October 2, 2014

For HIV Infection "Began Complera in May 2013 after having been on Atripla. Positive since 1992. Both medicines have kept my viral load undetectable and T-cells above 700. Both have their side effects, but for now, I'm sticking with Complera. I take Complera after dinner, hours before sleep (to help as much with insomnia. Doctor has prescribed Ambien). The side effects of Complera I hope work themselves out overnight. As for gas and bloating, I have a glass of Metamucil every morning. And each day I live with a positive attitude, or as normal as possible!"

• dem...
• July 18, 2014

For HIV Infection "I am two months now on it after switching from a 3-pill-a-day combo. The first 3 weeks, it was a horrible experience with stomach bloating, gas, and wind. It triggered my depression as well. Week 4, the symptoms started eliminating. 8 weeks now on, and everything is back to normal, except for being happier having to take just one small pill a day. The blood tests couldn't be better with an undetectable VL and a good CD4 count."

• loo...
• June 11, 2014

For HIV Infection "Switched from Atripla to Complera, hoping for better health and relief from neurosystem damage that it causes. The food intake and horrible bloating were the first side effects of it; they got milder by the 2nd week. By the 8th week, my face started changing rapidly, my cheeks got sunken, and I developed fatty breasts; my doctor denied the fact that my face was changing. I switched doctors and went back on Atripla; the neuropathy and the neuro side effects returned; my face regained my cheeks at least 90% of it, and my chest looks normal again."

• Tex...
• August 24, 2012

For HIV Infection "I started Complera two weeks ago. My viral load was 35,000 and my CD4 count was 750 prior to starting it as my first treatment. I am currently experiencing some side effects for almost 10 days. The most important one is the bloating. I have to pass gas (with a bad smell) sometimes a few times an hour. I also feel a little nauseous, especially after main meals. I have stomach pain and lack of appetite. A very minor and short headache sometimes plus palpitations. I don't know if palpitations are because of stress or not. I will give an update a few months from now, but I hope most of these will get better in a few weeks."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2014

For HIV Infection "Complera is the only medication I have taken. At first, the side effects were horrible: terrible headache, bloating, and foul-smelling gas. Eventually, those side effects went away, but I did notice that I have been losing fat in certain places, like my face, stomach, and arms. My doctor basically dismissed my concerns, but I know my body. I started taking some protein and working out, hoping this will counteract the medication. I like Complera, but it's not worth a change in my appearance."

• leg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 9, 2013

For HIV Infection "I started taking Complera before it was even on the market during its Phase III clinical trials. I've been on the Edurant/Truvada combination for more than 5 years now with very minimal side effects. The medication is extremely effective in quickly getting your viral load to undetectable levels. My only concern with this medication is that it has caused consistent mild to moderate abdominal pains. Mostly bloating, but sometimes diarrhea and nausea."