User Reviews for Truvada to treat Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

"I can't believe there aren't Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis reviews here yet! I've been on PrEP treatment for a little over 6 months and its been uneventful. Nothing, nada, zilch has happened. Except, despite a huge increase in sex. I had a bad hypomanic episode last year that translated into poor choices), I don't have HIV. So, I suppose it's worked! No noticeable side effects for me. All blood work (kidneys/etc) are in the normal range."

"DO NOT take Truvada or Descovy if you care about your face and waistline. It's better just to abstain. I took Truvada for six months and my cheeks lost fat and are sunken in. Plus, the fat redistributed to my waist and became even more dense. I took this medicine to save myself from HIV, but didn't realize I'd end up looking like a ghoul in the process. STAY AWAY FROM THIS STUFF."

"My husband and I have been taking Truvada as PrEP for the past 3.5 years. The only symptom we both experienced during the first few weeks was a very localized and nearly constant mild headache located just above and behind the palate - very much like where one would feel a "brain freeze," which sensation is far more unpleasant, though of much shorter duration, than the side-effect we experienced when starting of Truvada. The headache wasn't debilitating and we were able to tolerate it without taking pain relievers. Aside from those initial "ice cream" headaches, we have tolerated Truvada very well and our lab results have always returned normal. Perhaps the best positive effect we've experienced from taking Truvada every day is an enormous reduction in psychological stress, anxiety and fears about HIV transmission. We learned what "undetectable" status really means and have been able to overcome the social and sexual stigma of HIV. Undetectable = Untransmittable! #UequalsU"

"Truvada worked out fine for a couple 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."

"I took Truvada for a year a PrEP. For the entire 12 months I vomited and had intense nausea just about everyday. 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 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 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 everyday for a year. Not worth it for me, the medicine Does protect against infection but not a justification to puke and feel like death everyday. Don’t think I’ll risk it with descovy."

"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 STI’s 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!"

"I had my first 90 day Truvada prescription and I stopped taking it after I got my kidneys tested on day 71 (12/20/19). The creatinine level raised to 1.7 and GFR was 57. I was ordered a kidneys test on 12/31/19 for safety due to being sick. The creatinine level again raised up to 2.0 and GFR dropped to 38. I was recommended to get another test after a week to see if the kidneys will get better. I'm nervous because I expected the kidney would start getting back to normal after I had stopped Truvada but no."

"I'm been taking Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PREP) now for over 3 years. It's kept me HIV negative, thankfully. However, the longer I'm on it the more issues I have with sleep and irritability... I also feel like I'm not very enthusiastic as I was before taking PREP. This can all be tied to the sleep problems that I feel are a side affect of TRUVADA. So I'm not completely free of side affects. But I am glad that their is a pill we gay men can take to protect us from HIV."

"I take TRUVADA for 1 year now as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) my lab results have always come back normal and HIV negative . I sometimes visit bath houses which are very risky places and always remained HIV negative. My only side effects I had was some diarrhea the first week and about 40 pounds in weight loss maybe due to appetite loss. Other then that prep has been effective and an amazing drug in my opinion."

"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."

"I have been taking Truvada for about 9 months now. No major side effects. Slight headache in the beginning and an ongoing low appetite. My lab results have been good thus far. I'm concerned over the fact that when I mention Truvada use to friends they immediately say "we don't take that one anymore". I have raised the issue with the doc and the response is that Truvada is a lot safer now than in the beginning . Anyone have more insight into this? Have remained HIV -."

"I lost weight when starting this drug. YAY I also got cellulitis 4 times over a 6 month period. When I stopped Truvada, the cellulitis stopped. (Dermatologist suggested) When I waited a few weeks and started again, the Cellulitis immediately began and I stopped all together. I am HIV negative. Was only taking for PREP."

"Tried Truvada twice as PrEP, including this spring. Both times my heart rate went crazy during my regular exercise routines starting about 3 weeks after going on the medication. I'm discontinuing Truvada again, and hoping my heart returns to normal behavior in a couple weeks, as it did last time."

"I've tried Truvada twice. The first time I was OK 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 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."

"The first day I took Truvada I had low appetite and a little grogginess, however the side effects were gone by the next day. I'm still not experience side effects. I'm glad that science has come a long way to protect us from HIV - I am taking it for PrEP."

"I have been on daily Truvada for PrEP for 2 years. I haven't had any side effects and my bloodwork has been normal, and I've remained HIV negative."

"Truvada gave me headaches and depression"

"I have been on Truvada for 3 months and had no symptoms at all. Seems to be doing the job it’s meant to do."

"Still waiting too find out if insurance covers it. Who can afford $6,000?"