Truvada and Vomiting: What Users Say

• 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."

• Edi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I've tried Truvada twice. The first time I was okay for the first 12 hours, and then I was violently ill, vomiting 8 times in the day and couldn't function. I put that down to not having it with a meal or enough fluids, and so I tried again two weeks later. This time I tried it with a meal and water, and I had the same result. Really severe reaction that totally floored me. I really want it to work, but there is no way it is a mild side effect for me."

• 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."