Truvada and Nausea: What Users Say

• RQa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Truvada worked out fine for a couple of months, had mild headaches and some nausea the first couple of days when I started taking it. Then it was all good for a while. But a recent physical with a urine test showed I had abnormal kidney function, Stage 2 CKD (which is pretty mild but still concerning). I thought at first I was just experiencing my usual insomnia and general soreness, but they got worse the longer I was on the medicine. Definitely stopping Truvada use and switching to another type of PrEP."

• Oki...
• January 2, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I took Truvada for a year as PrEP. For the entire 12 months, I vomited and had intense nausea just about every day. Labs were always normal, and doctors said side effects would go away, they never did. I’m in a long-term sero-discordant relationship with someone who has an undetectable VL and a normal CD4 count. We both have several long-term regular play partners. Vomiting every day is not normal and subsided once I D/C’d the Truvada. I’ve essentially gone back to condoms, and my regular partners don’t mind. Truvada is obviously not for everyone, but it helps prevent infections in those who can tolerate it. I highly discourage taking the medication if your side effects continue past the time they’re supposed to subside. I have damage to my esophagus related to vomiting nearly every day for a year. Not worth it for me, the medicine does protect against infection, but it's not a justification to puke and feel like death every day. Don’t think I’ll risk it with Descovy."

• Sex...
• June 29, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have taken Truvada for 2 years. For 2 months, I had nausea and vomiting. I didn’t drink or use any drugs. I had no side effects for a time. At one point, I went off Truvada and started it again a couple months later. I experienced the nausea and vomiting all over again for a month. After resuming drinking for about 6 weeks, I had headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, urinary symptoms, etc. I read that alcohol can worsen side effects of Truvada and stopped drinking. Many side effects have subsided. Ongoing side effects which trouble me are urinary frequency and urgency, and a feeling of extreme pressure when my bladder is even slightly full, and extreme thirst. I have also had trouble swallowing. Was tested for bladder infections and STIs and have ruled those out. My concern is that it might be damaging my kidneys. I have testing 2 weeks from now and am anxious to see my kidney values!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2022

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Taking for precautionary reasons, as my spouse is HIV positive but undetectable. Been taking as prescribed for 6 months. Tests come back in the desired range every time, but I have been experiencing nausea and vomiting every morning for the most part since beginning Truvada. Doctor doesn't appear terribly concerned and suggested taking in the morning. I hate vomiting, but completely worth it to be able to safely make love to my husband."

• Sic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 18, 2015

For HIV Infection "I've been on Truvada daily for more than 5 years. I have had numerous problems, though it has kept my viral load undetectable. Most recent issues are elevated creatinine, elevated lipase, UTIs, nausea, vomiting, bloating. They are slowly ruling out all other causes, but I am suspecting it is the meds. I started on Truvada, Norvir, and Lexiva, but after a few years on that combo, my liver began to fail. They stopped the HIV meds then, but opted to reintroduce the Truvada as it's excreted through the kidneys and added Isentress. That was changed to Tivicay and Truvada, which is my current regimen."

• Jam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 10, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Several years ago, I was prescribed Truvada for PrEP by my physician. On the second or third day after I began the medication, I had a pounding headache that was almost constant, as well as mild nausea; I don’t recall ever vomiting during that period. I could not maintain focus for work, so I stopped by day 5. I waited a month and tried again. The exact same thing happened, so I stopped taking the medication again. When I spoke with my doctor, he said that it was a fairly common side effect that normally goes away. I waited a couple more months and then wondered if my system might tolerate this medication better if I ramped up to the full dose. So I divided 10 pills in half and for the 6 days, I took 1/2 a pill each day. I tolerated that well, with no side effects. I then took 1/2 a pill at 12-hour intervals for the next week, also without any apparent side effects. I was then able to start taking the full dose once a day without experiencing any headache or nausea whatsoever."

• Jam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 10, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Several years ago, I was prescribed Truvada for PrEP by my physician. On the second or third day after I began the medication, I had a pounding headache that was almost constant, as well as mild nausea; I don’t recall ever vomiting during that period. I could not maintain focus for work, so I stopped by day 5. I waited a month and tried again. The exact same thing happened, so I stopped taking the medication again. When I spoke with my doctor, he said that it was a fairly common side effect that normally goes away. I waited a couple more months and then wondered if my system might tolerate this medication better if I ramped up to the full dose. So I divided 10 pills in half and for the 6 days, I took 1/2 a pill each day. I tolerated that well, with no side effects. I then took 1/2 a pill at 12-hour intervals for the next week, also without any apparent side effects. I was then able to start taking the full dose once a day without experiencing any headache or nausea whatsoever."