Complera and Depression: What Users Say

• 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."

• Mr ...
• April 15, 2015

For HIV Infection "I hate to scare people, but I was one of the unlucky few that had depression and suicidal thoughts on this. It took about 4 days to notice any change, but when it came, it hit me like a brick wall. I felt fuzzy and severely depressed, even more so when I got my diagnosis. I couldn't help squinting my eyes, for some reason, I felt far away and distant and very, very down. Prior to this, I was upbeat and positive about starting meds. I told my doc, and he weaned me off by giving me 2 pills of Truvada, and I felt a difference the very next day. I plan to start Stribild soon, as it is not known to have any major psychiatric side effects. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with a history of depression or mental illness. Wish me luck!"

• val...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 24, 2015

For HIV Infection "I started to take Complera 1 year ago when viral load was 1700 and CD4 490. I had immediately some side effects like a lot of gas, some headache, and diarrhea. But they stopped 1 month after taking pills. After 2 months of this medication, I started to feel like losing balance, a bit depressed, and a bit dizzy as well. I got tested with a CT brain radiography and it was negative, thank God. Then I got tested with cognitive exams and everything is good. So I suppose it must be Complera. At the moment, my viral load is undetectable and CD4 are 743."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2021

For HIV Infection "I love Complera because it has manageable side effects. I had such side effects as joint pain, depression, nervousness, fat on the back of my neck, sleepiness, stomach pains, enlarged eyes, smelly urine, more sensitive and cracking teeth, dandruff... But ALL OF THESE are the result of interaction with food high in caffeine and purine! (Coffee, chocolate, meat, pork, tea, cola) I removed all these products and all side effects disappeared! Also, I removed all dairy products because they affect my legs' lipoatrophy. High fructose products and fruits (watermelon, honey, sodas, and others...) affect visceral fat gain and slower digestion! Almost no bloating and gas after 'plank' exercises."