Comparing Biktarvy vs Norvir

For HIV Infection: Started Biktarvy 3 months ago. Now HIV is undetectable but I have to take sleeping pills. Vivid dreams are occasional and I often feel tired and with nausea. But you get used to it. Much rather take this pill than not be here anymore

For HIV Infection: I started Biktarvy in 2018, and a few weeks later I developed alopecia areata which has continued to worsen since. I have a childhood history of alopecia areata (coin-sized areas of hair loss) which would only last about 3-4 months and then hair would grow back. However, since starting Biktarvy alopecia has actually spread and I’d say I’ve lost 40% of my hair. I saw a few past reviews about hair loss, and I was told it was not the medication but I believe it triggered it because I keep losing hair and it’s been more than 2 years. No other side effects.

For HIV Infection: Norvir is awful. I was on it for about three months. It caused numbness in my face and extreme nausea. Not to mention the terrible taste!

For HIV Infection: I was prescribed Norvir along with Truvada and Prezista as a substitute for Atripla. My physician felt that it would increase my CD4 count, which had stabilized for some time at the 150 range. I began the regimen with Norvir and the other 2 antivirals in September and checked the progress in December (3 months). The CD4 count had declined to 88 and the new treatment was clearly not effective. He had me retested at the end of January and the count had fallen to 36. I have since gone back to Atripla. Norvir has a serious contraindication when combined with a steroid. I have been using Advair for COPD, and the Norvir reacted with the fluoxetine in Advair and caused my face to become puffy, weight gain, and stomach issues.