Descovy User Reviews & Ratings

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Too bad you can't take this drug on demand like Truvada. This one makes me sick, I feel nausea, stomach pain, liver inflamed, abdominal pain, and discomfort, and after a few weeks, I start to feel depressed and mood changes."

• s_k...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "The first night I had some vivid nightmares. Mildly loose stools for a couple of days. My mood started to shift, and within 7 days, I was having negative thoughts and feeling depressed. I skipped a dose on Day 8 and felt better. I restarted it on Day 9 and felt depression again. I've since stopped after 10 days and am feeling much better. I believe it was Descovy causing this... perhaps because my liver, endocrine system, or brain chemistry is sensitive? It's unfortunate, but that's my experience."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2021

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "After 7 weeks of absolute torture, I am taking myself off this med. Daily puking for the 1st week. Intermittent vomiting episodes have persisted the entire time. Excessive flatulence occurs randomly throughout each day. My hands and feet are always cold, I have muscle cramps, foamy urine, and am constantly lethargic and irritable. I am, by nature, a very promiscuous person. Until I took this drug, that is. For me, it was an abstinence drug, as I couldn't fathom having sex most of the time I was taking this. Would not recommend. I understand that a certain percentage of users will experience side effects. Well, I had them all."

• Pet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2019

For HIV Infection "I started taking Descovy in early 2017, and it's been about 2 years. The drug kept my viral load undetectable. I did not experience any side effects at first, but after about 1 to 1.5 years of taking it, I slowly began to experience aches in my joints and bones, and I feel tired waking up in the morning. I also notice that I feel depressed and down pretty much every day, even when I am on vacation and I'm supposed to feel happy. And now my arms have lost muscle mass, they look very bony, and I can barely lift 20 lbs without pains in my joints."

• Jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Switched to Descovy six months ago after using Truvada for four years. I have experienced no side effects from either drug, and it is a smaller pill to swallow. I'm 68 years old and very healthy and physically active. Ride a mountain bike ten miles a week, still enter rodeo events, take week-long kayak trips."

• Ada...
• July 8, 2018

For HIV Infection "I was on Truvada for a number of years and was switched to Descovy in August 2017. At first, all was fine, but after a couple of months, I became unwell, feeling like I have a constant cold, not getting good sleep, only able to sleep for four hours, being woken up with pounding in my head, a very fast heartbeat, my head feels foggy, and severe sweating, and my legs feel cold to touch. I read the leaflet that came with my Descovy, but it doesn’t mention my symptoms, so then I did some research and looked at Descovy on a site called medbroadcast.com, and sure enough, it mentions all my symptoms as Descovy side effects. Going to see my HIV consultant tomorrow and taking back all my Descovy as they have totally ruined my summer. I suggest to anyone going to start Descovy please do your research and don’t just read the leaflet or take your doctor's word!"

• Dim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2017

For HIV Infection "Switching from Descovy back to Truvada probably saved my life since it improved my deep, existential depression (which I didn't experience this way since I've been on antidepressant medication since 1995). I was on Genvoya since March 2016 and had 8 months of upper respiratory tract infections: pleuritis, 2 pneumonia episodes, 2 severe middle ear infections, bronchitis, I think sepsis, because of candida, due to 4 rounds of antibiotics (Augmentin/amoxicillin), constant fluconazole use, and later resistance to it by another candida (glabrata). Then oral amphotericin B, but I still have a green/brown stinking plaque on my tongue, nothing is being done by my first and second opinion doctors. I'm now going to Nijmegen for the candida expertise center."

• Ken...
• March 11, 2018

For HIV Infection "I have been on Descovy for two weeks. I actually feel better than when I was taking Truvada. My kidney function is better... my mind seems clearer, and I don't feel as doped up... if that makes sense. I can feel my own skin again... I guess less toxic. So far... it's good."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2022

For HIV Infection "About the first month of taking, everything was fine, but now I started to feel a strong pain under the right shoulder blade. At first, I thought it was not from the therapy, but now I see that it is from it. I will change."

• MyW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2023

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Descovy has been really amazing. I have not experienced any side effects even though I am an AFAB. The pill is just the right size for me and has made me feel empowered and in control of my body and sexual choices."

• wro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I've been on Descovy for almost a year now and have had a positive experience. No side effects so far, and I've been consistent with daily dosing. Regular testing every 3 months as recommended. My insurance covers the cost, and it gets shipped right to my door. I highly recommend Descovy for PrEP."

• jbh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 8, 2023

For HIV Infection "I have taken Descovy for 10 years now. I originally started talking Truvada and Kaletra, but that combination caused serious GI issues and major lipodistophy complications. My ID doctor switched me to Descovy and the GI issues lessened. I still had diarrhea, but that was expected. I was then given Tivacay instead of Kaletra and the GI symptoms were much less severe. I no longer had nausea or severe cramping that was present with the previous dog combination. I'll be honest, diarrhea has been a constant battle for me and I do know that it's a symptom of the HIV medications. Last year, I allowed my health insurance to lapse and went without my HIV medication for a couple of months. My bowel movements returned to what was my body's normal before I started taken HIV medications. For me, it's a trade-off that I will take everytime since it affords me the ability to have a semi-normal sex life, well, as normal a sex life that a 51 year old gay meth user can have."

• 1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2022

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I was on Truvada for a long time. But it had side effects that affected my liver. Lipids were always high. MD switched to Descovy, no reactions, and my lipids were normal."

• Jon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have been taking Descovy for about 6 months after switching from Truvada. It has no side effects like Truvada did, and it's a much smaller pill."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2018

For HIV Infection "I had terrible insomnia with this medication. The emtricitabine in this medication has an incidence of insomnia in adults of 5% to 16%. Plus it made me groggy in the morning."

• lop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "No side effects. No cost. Peace of mind with taking it."

• tel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2023

For HIV Infection "I have experienced mood swings, not sleeping well, pressure under my rib cage, and coughing. Keeps the viral load undetectable but has too many side effects for me."

• hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Just started, so no issues. I have not faced any of the initial side effects. Remembering to take the medication is the hardest part as of yet."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2025

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "It’s been great so far, with no noticeable side effects. I’m pleased and impressed with this medication!"

• bot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2023

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "This drug is wonderful. It has helped keep me and my partners safe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2023

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have experienced digestive issues, abdominal pain, and breakouts on my face and elsewhere in places. I haven’t had dry spots or pimples in years."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Dosage 200 mg/25 mg. Taken as PrEP. Once a day in the morning. I’ve experienced no side effects."