Biktarvy for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 4)

• Marco
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2021

"I was diagnose with HIV on July 14th 2021. The only unprotected sex I had was in 2005 so I probably had it for 16 years. My viral load was 150 000 and my CD4 was 40. I was diagnosed because I suffer a pneumocystis pneumonia which was treated with Bactrim DS and prednisone. I started Bicktarvy on July 15th 2021. I had blood test done on August 11th 2021 and I saw my microbiologist on August 18th 2021. I am now undetectable and my CD4 went up to 250. From reading this post, I might be one of the only few that the medication works without any side effect but it is working for me. Maybe because I did not take any of the earlier drug available. I don't know but I just wanted to share so new HIV diagnosed people are not scare to try it. Hope everyone is hanging out there. Hopefully a real cure is coming soon. Take care and be safe."

• Jai
• June 9, 2020

"I got infected with HIV in January 2020. I have started treatment on 27th of February. My viral load and CD4 count was 1800 and 416 respectively when I started treatment. Now after three months of treatment my viral load is less than 40 and CD4 count is 430. I don’t have any side effects. Biktarvy is amazing!!"

• Tony
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

"My meds were changed to Biktarvy they said it was better for me. Was on Prezcobix and descovy. Biktarvy side effects are real - two days after starting the drug I got headaches, dizziness and a respiratory infection. My dr says thats hogwash and not side effects. Had to get a 2nd opinion and he was wrong they were side effects and had to go back to prezcobix and descovy. It was difficult to get him to switch back to my old drugs. I guess they get a kickback from the pharmaceutical. Don't take this drug Biktarvy"

• Aaron
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2019

"I was recently diagnosed with HIV though I was infected six months ago. My CD4 count is 80 and the viral load around 13K. I found another person who was infected by the same person I was and he said he was on this medication. On Monday I saw the specialist and told him about what I had learned and he prescribed Biktarvy as well. So far so good though it's only been two days. I suddenly have a LOT more energy. It may be due to the strong antibiotics though (or a placebo effect). Other than a little stomach discomfort at first, I have not had any side effects (though that could be the antibiotics too). It's only been two days and we'll see how this does long term. I'm hopeful. The biggest downside is the $100 copay. I want to take it out of the hide of the person who infected me. He knew he was HIV positive (and I didn't) and removed his condom (without me knowing). I'm hoping the coupons I found will reduce the copay."

• Hugh
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2018

"Was previously on stribild which worked great. No problems at all. Doc switched me to biktarvy. Supposedly not as harsh on liver/stomach/bones etc. First week I felt lethargic. Still able to function and work. After the first week things have been great. No side effects. No night terrors. Weird thing is...I had bizarre dreams and nightmares waaaay before I was positive. Seems to be working well with my body. Been on it about 3 months now. Best health!"

• ll213
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2018

"so I have been on this medication for about a week and I was on genvoya before hand but the doctor switched me because I had lots of weight gain and my cholesterol was sky rocketing but since being on biktarvy my face has cleared up dramatically and my skin is glowing and my appetite has shrunk too. So far I am liking this medication and I am honestly getting more rest and feeling more energized then how I was on genvoya."

• Luke
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

"I have taken various drugs for the treatment of HIV over the course of many years and I am definitely a very long-term survivor. I just recently switched from Genvoya to Biktarvy and have had several unpleasant side effects from day 1. The worst being nausea and stomach pain along with headache and even worse insomnia. The side effects have been so severe I do not wish to continue this medication and will go back to Genvoya as I am certain the side effects will worsen with this drug. I have been miseareable for the last two days."

• hopef...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2021

"Hi I was on Biktarvy for 17 days and had to switch to Desvovy + Dolutegravir meds due to severe side effects of dizziness, brain fog, insomnia, feeling faint, headache and anxiety. I will start my new meds Desvovy + Dolutegravir today but just realised these med's common side effects are similar to the Biktarvy. What is your experience with Desvovy + Dolutegravir please? Cost of meds isn't an issue as I live in the UK with free access to National Health Service."

• Stu
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2022

"Got switched to Biktarvy and was on it for 7 weeks the first lot of bloods I was U/D still and CD4 up by 70, although I was so tired all the time and with total lack of energy, the pain in my legs made it very uncomfortable to walk. Most alarmingly though was the depression (I’ve had before) it was on another level for me huge feelings of doom, agitation and anger that was too much for me so reached out to the consultant and she switched me to odefsey, fingers crossed will be a better experience."

• Lissie
• April 2, 2019

"Have been on Atripla for 10+ years and have been doing very well with no side effects. My doctor of ten+years relocated and I got a new doctor who convinced me to switch to Biktarvy. Terrible drug, my blood pressure (BP) went to over 200/190 since starting taking this new drug Biktarvy and I am always terribly tired. I have always had a BP of 110/70. Will go back to the doctor and request to switch back to my good old Atripla -has served me well all this years."

• Dab
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2020

"Got diagnosed February 15th , by a random 20 min test in clinic , shocked to say the least never knew or suspected, and according to doc must have had it for a while , as vl 49,000 and cd4 164 , as I write just had my 2nd tablet and so far so good also on co-trimoxazole until cd4 rises over 200 do fingers crossed , will update progress"

• Male
• July 13, 2021

"No! I’m only taking this because my insurance stopped covering Stribild. Which was it for me. My body does NOT like biktarvy. Rashes across my body and face, itching like crazy, heart palpitations, first 2-3 days my heart rate kept dropping. Like in the 50's even when I was walking around. Felt like someone turned up the gravity several notches when my heart rate would drop. Very weird sensation. Also getting random severe fatigue and needing extra sleep. I get lightheaded at times too. I’m about 3 weeks in. And it’s progressively getting worse and worse. Oh, and my allergies are worse. Like my body is already maxed out with histamines from biktarvy. I’ve taken atripla, which had weird dreams, dizziness, and nausea. Then to Stribild which was the best. Now this pill. First recommendation is Stribild. Then Atripla. And I don’t recommend biktarvy at all."

• PozOk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2019

"UPDATE: As I’ve written, I was diagnosed March 31, 2019 and started Biktarvy April 19. After, what, 6-weeks? Here are my labs: CD4 = was 100...now 217 Viral Load = was 50,000...now 41 Near-miraculous results! Thank you God and thank you Biktarvy!"

• Cancer
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

"Diagnosed in 06/2018. Started on Genvoya and switched to try this medicine due to the fact you can take it with or without meds. First couple of days have been a little rocky if side effects persist. I will switch back to Genvoya"

• Fever...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2020

"Was diagnosed about 7 years ago. Had 200k copies, CD4 130 which is an immediate AIDS diagnosis. First was Stribild, all good was getting better very fast. Then they switched me to Genvoya, even better, no side effects that I could notice. About a year ago, switched to Stribild. I don't know if I'm having side effects or not, but I do feel a bit less healthy, however -20 copies and CD4 1,344. God bless everyone of you. Please take your meds!"

• Lizzie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

"I’m about to start this medication after a year of taking Genvoya which resulted in massive weight gain. Genvoya put my weight to 180lb from 145lb in a year so I’m really hoping this drug doesn’t have any extreme side effects. I’ll gladly keep you posted."

• anony...
• June 13, 2023

"I was diagnosed a year ago in June 2022. I was cd4 of 237 and 2 million copies of the virus. Within a month of taking Biktarvy, my cd4 was 300 and viral down to 30,000. Within 2 months I was down to 300 copies. 6 months later was undetectable (30 and cd4 420). I had some weird numbness and burning sensation in my thighs like I was sunburnt at the beginning but I'm sure this was more the virus than the meds. Zero side effects a year on. I exercise almost every day with no tiredness or anything. Happy to say I've had a very positive effect from this drug. How lucky we are to live in this age of science. Love to all of you and thank god for online forums and ending the stigma against HIV."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

"I was recently diagnosed with HIV around March 2021. I started taking Biktarvy with a viral load of 180k and cd4 count of 300. My doctor says I am responding well to treatment as am now undetectable but I have the worse mood swings you can imagine. Constantly up and down. I also have a general feeling of feeling sick all the time and lethargic. I am scared to change medications. The hardest to deal with is the emotions side of it. Struggling with self harm and depression right now. However reading other people’s experiences has helped me realise it is not just me with side effects. I feel like I can feel the HIV in me whereas before I was diagnosed I felt normal?"

• Olls
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2019

"Been on biktarvy last 2 months now went from 3 pills a day to 1. I feel fine only thing I will say my blood pressure has gone up and I got call from hospital go back for more bloods because kidney function is not how should be, I don't know yet if its related to this tablet or just years of been on HIV meds as I've been on meds over 10years"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2024

"I just was diagnosed with HIV, viral load was 1.6 million and T cells at 30. This is the first medication I was given. It’s been a tad over 2 weeks. I go back for a check up in a few weeks. For me I’ve noticed no side effects at all, sleeping better, energy is way better. I’ll update"

• Kwayne
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2023

"Was on Symtuza which was awful. Biktarvy is not much better. My body aches but not as bad. Neuropathy, blah attitude, hair started falling out and vision seems to be getting worse. My body doesn't like these drugs so far. Hopefully I can find something that works for me."

• RedDr...
• October 12, 2022

"My experience with Biktarvy has not been good. Always tired all the time would NOT recommend if you want to have any energy. No energy makes you want to sleep but it is hard to get and stay asleep. This did not get any better months even a year later."

• PDX
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

"Will switch on 7/11 from Genvoya. Kaiser seems to be moving folks off the boosters. Started 2 years ago on Stribild and then Genvoya. Neither one ever gave me side effects, and I have no reason to think Biktarvy will either. Much smaller pill too and zero copay with Gilead card. I'll report after 30 days. Until there is a cure kids, take your meds daily and take care of yourself!"

• Anonyme
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2019

"I was diagnosed HIV October 2018. After all tests, I started my treatment with Biktarvy from December 2018 and I became undetectable in January 2019, so it works. One of side effect that I observe it is non frequent muscle pains. I haven't observed other side effects."

• Kay
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2021

"02/13/2021 is the date of my diagnosis. My CD4 count at the time of my diagnosis had been 700 but my VL 1,750,000. My body didn’t develop antibodies because the HIV infection had been just a days to few weeks in. I started Biktarvy on 02/17/2021 and have had zero side effects. I work in a maximum security prison and had the Doctor at my job write me a script for the CD4 count and VL the CD4 came back at 1.030 which is a drastic increase and we are awaiting for the VL count. My Infectious Disease doctor doesn’t want to do labs until a few months. Hopefully when the VL results come back I am close to being undetectable or very near to it."