Complera User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• 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."

• Plu...
• January 22, 2016

For HIV Infection "I'm a gay male. In June 2014, I had anal intercourse with someone that I knew in advance was positive, but undetectable. The condom broke inside of me, unfortunately. I went on Truvada/Isetress with no side effects for 30 days. Tested in August and all was fine. Had a root canal in December 2014. Had a routine HIV test in March 2015, still negative. I never have unprotected anal sex. On 12/05/15, I went for a routine HIV test. Was blindsided that the results were positive! I determined since I was guilty of giving unprotected oral sex to several partners in 2015, I got infected due to my root canal (tooth not 100% attached to gums). No side effects on Complera, just occasional eye twitching and slightly lighter sleeping, dreams."

• Anonymous
• May 27, 2012

For HIV Infection "It has been wonderful to come from 5 pills twice daily to one pill a day. The only problem I have with it is constipation. I have always been regular, and 2 days after I started taking it, I noticed a change in my bowel habits. It's a minor problem, so I am dealing with it. I have only been on it for 2 months, so I haven't had my blood work done. I have always had an undetectable viral load and 800 CD4. I hope nothing changes because I like this medicine."

• Jai...
• March 11, 2013

For HIV Infection "I was put on Complera when my viral load hit 0. I have been on it for 5 months. I get my labs done next week. I previously had been on 8 pills a day, which caused awful nightmares. I was diagnosed HIV positive when I was 8 months pregnant, which was devastating, but miraculously, within that short time until I delivered my baby, my viral load went from 264 to 62. My daughter is HIV-free. I guess the only downfall to Complera is taking it with 400 calories. Time will tell. I also experience pain at times and insomnia."

• hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2012

For HIV Infection "I recently just got diagnosed about a month, two weeks ago. My viral load was 38,000, and CD count was 259, and I started treatment about three weeks ago, and so far, I haven't had any negative side effects and am really hoping it stays like the same."

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2015

For HIV Infection "Got diagnosed in 2005. I was 20. Started Complera in 2014. CD4 was 540, VL 75,000. Never got sick or had OIs. Complera works fine, CD4 now 942, VL undetectable! Side effects: gas, foul-smelling, constant, and insomnia! No rapid weight gain."

• 200...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2012

For HIV Infection "I was scared to start a regimen about all the horror stories of HIV medication side effects. I have been on Complera for two weeks and have NO side effects. I was experiencing oral problems before that were due to HIV infection. I can't wait to get my labs back after starting the regimen. I feel so much better."

• 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."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 12, 2016

For HIV Infection "My experience was almost the worst-case scenario. Meaning I'm lucky I didn't die. I'll share my story. I was diagnosed at 21 back in like 2001. I was on Sustiva and Convivir successfully and undetectable until 2012. The meds had worked great for a long time, and I managed all the side effects like the nightmares and such. Then a new side effect came into play with the old meds. My mind started telling me and giving ideas on how to kill myself. I knew this was serious, and so I asked my doctor to change my meds. During the transition, I didn't know what to focus on. The way they presented the drugs to me, it felt like they were pushing the one-a-day pill, Complera. So I switched to Complera in August 2012. Then I developed kidney disease stage 3."

• 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."

• Bub...
• July 26, 2013

For HIV Infection "I started Complera as my first medicine about four months ago. After first labs were complete, my CD4's went up and my viral load went down as expected. In this same time, an ear infection that I had been battling for a number of years went away. I am also pleasantly surprised that my energy level has increased during this time as well. The only side effect that I have noticed is some almost unbelievable foul, almost constant gas. But, the gas is something I can live with, and after showing my partner that it was a side effect, so can he. Haha."

• 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."

• Lam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2012

For HIV Infection "Today was my 6th day taking Complera. I've been taking it between 7:30 and 8:30 every morning. I don't notice any side effects at all. The only thing I hate is that I have a cough. It doesn't matter if I drink it with juice and chocolate chip cookies or not-I will still taste it. From reading all the previous reviews, I can't wait to get my labs done in January. Today, I felt a little sharp pain in my left arm. I'm not sure if it was from the medicine or from being crunched in a chair on my laptop. I'm definitely going to get that bone test done since I heard it can thin your bones."

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2013

For HIV Infection "I've been on Complera for over a year now, which at over $6,000 a month equates to $72,000. There are some rage issues related to the medicine, as well as some insomnia issues and general mental health issues. My labs are great, which is an upside. I'm an LTS of this disease, having dealt with HIV into AIDS for 20 years now and been on about every HIV med in existence -- I come with a wealth of life experience."

• Cal...
• August 15, 2017

For HIV Infection "I have been HIV-positive for over 20 years. Switched to Complera. Have very little side effects. Viral load is undetectable. CD4 is over 800. Doing very well, thank God. God blessings to everyone. Be courageous."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2012

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Complera for about a month now, and I got to get my labs in one more month. So far, I have not had any side effects, and it has been great. My viral load was 4000, and my CD4 was 782 when I started, and I can't wait to see what Complera has really done for me when I get my labs."

• Poz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2012

"Complera has no side effects, and I don't feel anything during my 3 months of taking it. The only serious problem with Complera is it has a very serious effect on my stomach (my whole digestion system). I have to eat a real meal of no less than 400 calories and then take a pill of Complera. I want to eat, or I don't want to – doesn’t matter, it’s mandatory - I have to eat a lot in order to keep this med in my system for 24 hours, or if I eat less, Complera will not stay in my body for the next 24 hours and the HIV virus will soon develop resistance to Complera, which is a very, very, very serious problem! So, I eat, I take one daily pill of Complera, and then… my stomach starts growling, rumbling, I feel like a gas balloon which has a leak."

• Fis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2015

For HIV Infection "63, 5'10, 145 married male, 26-year leukemia survivor. Did not see a physician for first 3 years out of shame, fear, and denial. Still heavily rejected/feared by what I consider to be ignorant ex-family & ex-acquaintances. Way past all that now. Hetero transmission. 10 difficult years with several threatening events; related streptococcus pneumonia, with 9 weeks on/off in ICU till diagnosed with strep throat; brain stem stroke; left lung pneumonia. IV Levofloxacin/Levaquin, oral dose for 30 months. Atripla co-pay of $125 for 3 months (x2). Doc suggested Complera to combat borderline AIDS lab numbers. Similar side effect of very explicit dreaming, mostly pleasant, some daytime fatigue. $0 with Gilead co-pay card else $125. for 3 UNDETECTABLE!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2013

For HIV Infection "I started taking this medicine within 72 hours of possible infection as a condom broke during sex, and I totally freaked out as the other guy was positive. No side effects at all. It's only been 2 days, and I'm glad that this medication is helping a lot of people who are positive with the ease of the med."

• tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2013

For HIV Infection "Only side effects I've had are gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, but I only go to the bathroom once or twice a day. I was diagnosed on June 5, 2013, and my viral load was 89,000 and my CD4 was 258. On July 30, 2013, I decided to get checked before starting treatment. My viral load went down on its own to 44,000 and my CD4 went down to 248. I was prescribed COMPLERA on August 1, 2013, and I've been on it for 3 days. My first lab since Complera is September 1, so I will keep you updated."

• Dog...
• May 30, 2013

For HIV Infection "I'm a 70-year-old woman - HIV detected one month ago. Viral load 38,000, CD4 21. Outward health condition asymptomatic so far. Have been on Complera for 12 days, I take it at the same time every day at 1800 hr with a big meal. In the past, I very seldom got sick from colds, flu, etc. Maybe every 5 years I got a cold or flu. Been athletic since 16 years old till present. Blood test due in 3 weeks to see what the viral and CD4 counts are. I don't feel any adverse reaction to the medicine presently. I'll post the test results on this site when I receive them. Hopefully, it will educate people with this condition."

• pad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2016

For HIV Infection "We have to educate ourselves on what to look for with each medicine, so when mild ones occur, we can get to the doctor and hopefully prevent the extreme side effects. I got lactic acidosis from AZT in 1991 and almost died. I've been positive for 24 years, AIDS diagnosis 10 years ago. I won't comment much on Complera-yet. Just started today after 7 years on a very successful regimen, but it included ritonavir. I'm now older and on many other meds. Ritonavir was causing higher levels of all my other meds, like an overdose. My options are much lower because my virus has had so many years to mutate-develop resistance. Most of the posts are from people who I consider relatively new in living with HIV. Stay hopeful! For you, there may be a cure!"

• Nau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2016

For HIV Infection "I have been positive for 11 years but only started taking Complera a little over a year ago. Up until then, my body did an excellent job keeping it under control. Despite all the drugs and hard living I was doing, I would say my side effects hit pretty hard. I have been dealing with the most life-altering, uncomfortable nausea that I couldn't even begin to explain. Everyday when I wake up, sometimes I'm woken up out of my sleep with the nausea that is constant. I tell my doctor about this, and I feel like my doctor is not taking me seriously. I don't know if this is something to be worried about or if it's normal, but it is seriously ruining my life. It is making me consider stopping my meds and just dealing with AIDS."

• Ham...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2015

For HIV Infection "Was exposed to HIV by an irresponsible person. I was given Truvada and Isentress, and I never recommend the latter to anyone because it was terrible. My doctor changed my med and gave me Complera. It worked fine for me, no side effects except for a sore throat. I recommend it, it is the best med for PEP and obviously after reading the reviews for HIV treatment."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2022

For HIV Infection "I have always had a hard time keeping my viral load undetectable. I was prescribed Complera and Tivicay. No problems as long as I remembered to take it immediately after eating. If I missed that window, it chewed up my stomach. I was on prescription-strength antacids the whole time I took the drug. I was able to keep my viral load undetectable and my T cells stable (they have consistently been in the 250-350 range for the 35 years I have been positive, nothing has been able to bring them up). Because of my desire for one pill and the way it chewed up my stomach if I missed the short window after eating, my doc switched me to Triumeq."