Complera and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Ste...
• October 31, 2014

For HIV Infection "I am 30 years old, diagnosed on January 7th, 2014. I didn't need to take any medication when I first found out, in fact, I went months without starting medication. My doctor said I may have been able to go years without any medication because my health and immune system were managing it on its own. I'm very fit, active, and eat healthy. I decided to start Complera as a preventative. I did not want my health to get out of hand, and I didn't want to be more susceptible to other illnesses. My experience has been fine. I started meds on June 1st. The first week or few days, it did make my stomach upset, dizzy sometimes, but only after taking it, not just randomly. But now it's just like a daily pill that I don't even notice. I'm happy and healthy."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2013

For HIV Infection "I started taking Complera one month ago. My virus was 1142 in my blood, and my T cells were 430 units. In the first week of taking Complera, I had side effects, but not serious ones, like diarrhea. I could not sleep well, I felt dizzy, had a headache, and I lost my appetite. And the most important, I made a lot of gas. But after a month, I visited my doctor to check if the Complera was working for me, and the result was amazing. The doctor explained to me that the virus in my body is now under 12 (undetectable), and the T cells are up to 660. I'm taking Complera every day between 8 to 10 pm, after dinner."

• Eve...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2014

For HIV Infection "A year in on Complera and feeling extreme fatigue, and 3 times a day I become dizzy, that I have to sit and wait for the dizziness to go away. I express this to my doctor, and he assured me it was the medicine. Now I am experiencing tingling, numbness in my hands and feet. My balance is unbalanced. Not to scare anyone. I have been positive for 2 decades and started treatment a year ago. I hear a lot of news about doctors saying it may be low B12 vitamin. However, I know for sure what is the cause, the Complera. I never felt these effects before in my life till now!"

• Eve...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2014

For HIV Infection "A year in on Complera and feeling extreme fatigue, and 3 times a day I become dizzy, that I have to sit and wait for the dizziness to go away. I express this to my doctor, and he assured me it was the medicine. Now I am experiencing tingling, numbness in my hands and feet. My balance is unbalanced. Not to scare anyone. I have been positive for 2 decades and started treatment a year ago. I hear a lot of news about doctors saying it may be low B12 vitamin. However, I know for sure what is the cause, the Complera. I never felt these effects before in my life till now!"

• Pre...
• April 30, 2014

For HIV Infection "I got the pills a week ago and was terrified to start them after reading the side effects. I've been on them for 2 days now, been positive 25 years come August. I am experiencing lightheadedness, mild headaches, dizziness, some nausea. I'm assuming it's because I'm very petite. A lot of medicines are strong for me. Praying it will get better. By all your comments, have to say, I'm much calmer about it all."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2016

For HIV Infection "Just started on Complera a month ago. This is my first medication, and I have to say I am very happy with it. Like others, I waited over a month after I got my first prescription before I started taking it. I was more scared of the medication then when I first found out six years ago I was positive. The first couple of days, I had some dizziness and fatigue, and I have experienced some gas. However, they have all subsided. I have read a lot of people have problems taking it with a 400-calorie meal. I was never a breakfast eater, but decided I would take my pill in the morning. I have half a whole wheat bagel with two tablespoons of peanut butter (325k) and half a cup of cottage cheese (110k) for a total of 435. Very light meal but provides the calories."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2012

For HIV Infection "Have been on it a week, but so far, no side effects, no weird dreams, no loss of appetite, or dizziness, or sleepiness. Too early to report effects on viral load, but mine was low to start with and a high CD4. So maybe a great alternative to ATRIPLA."

• 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."