Complera User Reviews & Ratings

• dbp
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2014

For HIV Infection "I'm new to all this HIV talk about viral loads and CD4 counts. What I do know is my doctor told me I was right there at basically having AIDS. When I got my first blood work. He immediately prescribed me Complera and 30 days later I was undetectable. Now its been 6 months and I'm still undetectable and I've had minimum side effect besides some weight gain. Once a day I have a small meal and I'm good to go. Saved my life."

• Steve...
• 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 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."

• bigjoe
• January 26, 2012

For HIV Infection "This is my first medication for HIV. Though I have always had a strong immune system (CDA >700, Viral Load < 200, at worst), my N.P recommended that I should start a regimen, and the only requirement I had for her is that its a once-a-day pill. As a busy college student trying to complete his first degree, the last thing I want to be prisoner to is my HIV. I have noticed absolutely no change in my body other than I am happier than I have ever been since being infected. But I have always used a pill case (though I am only 20 yrs old) for fish oil and multivitamins (Dietetics Major). So, I had no concern about adding just one more pill in there. Guess the hardest thing is getting a 500 kcal meal in my busy mornings. Keep strong!"

• Anonymous
• December 22, 2011

For HIV Infection "After 3 1/2 weeks of using Complera, no side effects to speak of. Remember to always take Complera with a meal and a glass of water. Get a pill box from your Dr or pharmacist to help manage the ritual of daily pill taking."

• Xano
• January 7, 2016

For HIV Infection "I have been HIV positive for over 16 years. I have taking HIV meds since 2004. A trick that I learn when taking Complera that may help some people. Complera has the drug rilpivirine in it. This drug is marketed under the name edurant. I use take it by itself before I started on Complera. The trick is to take the drug in the morning at breakfast but only take it halfway through the meal. By doing it this way you coat your stomach before and the food at the other end helps with the absorption of the medicine. By doing it this way I have never had any stomach issues, and by taking it in the morning I have no sleep issues. I am currently taking Complera with Tivicay. My T-cells are over a 1000, and my viral load is undetectable."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2013

For HIV Infection "From day 1 of using Complera have had only one side effect and that was an increased metabolic rate for the first month. Clearly Complera was fighting HIV in that month. In the first week of taking Complera I could feel it working and I felt amazing. Having been on Complera now for over 4 months I forget I am HIV positive as I feel totally normal with this medicine."

• andrea...
• November 29, 2015

For HIV Infection "I am a 34 yr old married woman who recently got diagnosed about 4 - 5 months ago through a routine Dr visit and I been on complera almost two months now and when I first started my viral load was 23,000 and I will go back to the Dr on Dec 15 to have my blood work done again to see if the meds are working!! So far only side effects are gas, and extreme hunger lol.... My husband is also Hiv positive and he's taking a different medicine and his is working so far as well!!!! I really need someone to talk to about this so if someone wants to talk - maybe give me some advice let me know because I'm still in shock and have alot of questions"

• 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 hand's 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 doctor's saying it may be low B12 vitamin. However, I know for sure what is the cause, the Complera. I never felt these effect's before in my life till now!"

• Mamush
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2013

For HIV Infection "I start taking Complera one month ago. My virus was 1142 in my blood and my T cells was 430 units. At the first week of taking Complera I had side effect but not serious like - diarrhea, I could not sleep good, I feel dizzy, headache, I lost appetite. And the most important I make a lot of gas but after a month I visit my doctor to check if the Complera is working to me and the result was amazing. The doctor explain to me that the virus in my body in now under 12 (undetectable) and the T cells are up to 660. I'm taking Complera everyday between 8 to 10 pm, after dinner."

• Lamar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2013

For HIV Infection "OK. I'm back with my results. I'm very pleased. I started taking Complera on November 13, 2012. I've never missed a dose and I've kept a medicine log in a note book to make sure I date, time and initial after I take the pill. My blood was drawn on January 11, 2013--I just got the results yesterday. My viral load was undetectable and my T-Cell count was 772. Wow. When I was diagnosed with HIV, my T-Cell count was 533 and then it dropped to 381 when I was trying to decide if I wanted to be on medication. In only 2 months, my T-cell count basically double or tripled. I look forward to seeing how Complera does my HIV in future months. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2012

For HIV Infection "I was put on Complera as a study patient prior to Complera being approved. I went on the drug just before it was approved by the FDA last year. All I can say is that Complera is a MIRACLE. I have had ZERO side effects! I can only say how blessed I feel to have been given the opportunity to participate in the study. I have been on Complera over a year now can second what other reviewers have said. This medication has allowed HIV not to affect my life. I was completely undetectable in two months after starting the medicine, and my CD4 and CD4% have steadily gone up. I can only say to Gilead, THANK YOU!"

• BFBUT...
• October 2, 2014

For HIV Infection "Began Complera 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!"

• red
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 31, 2015

For HIV Infection "I tested positive in 1993, I actually thought I had a year or two left too live. I went without meds almost twenty (20) years. I started Complera in 2013. I'm undetectable and my cd-4 is now close too 700 up from 420. I still smoke cigarettes and drink socially. I haven't had any side effects. I'm 58 years old and African American, even at this age my physical stamina is good (basketball and tennis). Complera is the only meds I've taken and up too now I'm pleased with the results.And by the way, l take my Complera in the mornings with breakfast. When it's time too go too sleep at night, I sleep like a baby..Good luck guys and best wishes....Peace!"

• demis
• 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 from being more happy having to take just one small pill a day. The blood tests couldnt be better with an undetectable VL and a good CD4 count."

• Prett...
• April 30, 2014

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

• pozli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2015

For HIV Infection "3 month into taking meds. No side effects. So far so good. I feel great. Had a time adjusting to taking med every single day. Haven't skipped any days. I take 2 hours before or after my set time. Found out I was positive feb. 11th. Started med June 1st. Undetectable after 2 month. I'm thankful for complera. I was terrified about taking meds cause of side effects. But I've had none."

• looki...
• June 11, 2014

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

• Knar
• May 11, 2013

For HIV Infection "As an alternative to Atripla, this medicine is a God send! Compared to Atripla this medicine lowers your viral load very fast! But doesn't cause nearly any symptoms at all. Its easy to take once a day. I know that if the manufacturer can create this a cure or remission medicine is very close. And also watch out for constipation. If you get it just supplement with some Florastor and you're good."

• Funky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2015

For HIV Infection "Was diagnosed with HIV Sept. 2014. Began Complera a month later and three weeks later, my viral load was undetectable. In addition, I've suffered little if no side-effects. I'm a 48 year old, white male. As this is the only HIV medicine I've ever known and have noticed nothing different in terms of body changes or flatulence, or whatever, I'd give Complera two thumbs up--good luck, everybody."

• heye
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2012

For HIV Infection "I started treatment two months ago with a viral load of 38000 and T-Cell of 259. Today I got my lab results and my T-cell was 419 and viral load was 120 and I haven't had any negative effects since my start of treatment."

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

For HIV Infection "I'm just updating you on my Complera side effects. I posted my thoughts on Complera on August 3rd, which was only 3 days on Complera. Now its been 30 days and I'm happy to let you all know I have ZERO side effects. I feel like the same old me, I do everything I did before. I take my dose between 10am to 11am every morning. I'm having my first lab on September 1st."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2012

For HIV Infection "I had an extremely high viral load and was forced to initially take a different medication to get this number under control (if over 100,000 you are not supposed to take Complera). This initial once-a-day medication made my life hell for the side-effects were a nightmare, but it did its job. Once I was under 100,000 I switched over to Complera and have had NO SIDE EFFECTS! And most importantly, my viral load has remained undetectable while my CD4 count has increased and my immune system has definitely gotten stronger. Obviously, since this medicine was just approved by the FDA the long term side effects are still unknown, but compared to the hell I was going through and how wonderful things have gotten I am willing to take my chances."

• Mr Me
• 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 couldnt 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 for anyone with a history or depression or mental illness. Wish me luck!"

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

For HIV Infection "Complera is the only medication I have taken. At first the side effect were horrible terrible headache, bloating and foul smelling gas. Eventually those side effects when 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 a some protein and working out hoping this will counter act the medication. I like Complera but it's not worth a change in my appearance."

• 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 435. Very light meal but provides the calories."