Biktarvy for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 3)

• 30S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"Diagnosed with HIV in June 2019 by my family doctor. Followed up with a specialist in August. My blood work came back with a VL of 306,000 and my CD4 count was 79. Started Biktarvy August 15, today will be my fourth dose, and I already feel better. The swollen lymph node on the back of my neck has reduced in size, and I feel more awake and energized in the morning, compared to being sluggish and all around exhausted even though I had gotten 8+ hours of sleep. Overall, it seems to be working with no side effects so far. I go back in September for follow-up blood work, I will update my progress then!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2021

"Started taking Biktarvy on 12/02/21. My CD4 count was only at 30 and viral load above 2 million. In the first 3 weeks, I had very bad dreams, night sweats, and brain fog during the day, but it disappeared after then. Now, 2 months later, my CD4 count is up to 179 and viral load 100! Still have a little rash on my shoulders, back, and neck, but my doctor said it will disappear when I’m above 200 CD4. For me, Biktarvy literally saved my life. The only thing I can recommend is to eat very healthy, very clean, keep on exercising, and take your pills daily at the same time."

• Bro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2019

"Amazing! Switched over from Truvada and Tivicay after being on those for 3 years. As expected, 0 side effects and 0 complications with the Biktarvy. Couldn't be happier. Also, taking 1 pill a day vs. 2 is nice."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2020

"I've been on Biktarvy for almost a year now. I was on Genvoya prior to the switch. All of the following symptoms have been escalating. My BP is high 190/100, bloated with gas, difficult bowel movements because of the gas, and now my bad cholesterol is high (never had this before)... so going to doc next week and requesting to go back to Genvoya and see how things go... reading other reviews, and I'm happy that so many have better health as a result of getting this medication."

• Ste...
• September 15, 2019

"I've been taking this medication for ten days now. On day four, I started struggling with insomnia. On day six, I started to notice tingly and itchy skin (all over) and would struggle with night sweats. On day eight, I started to break into hives in my upper torso. My doctor has insisted that I continue to take this medication along with an antihistamine, which has brought on its own side effects, namely headache and nausea. Stribild, by contrast, had no side effects."

• Lon...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 9, 2022

"I wish I had NEVER taken a single pill produced by Gilead! I was diagnosed in 1995, and because of my compliance, have managed to utilize only a few combination regimens that brought me this far. However, I NEVER had a combination as TOXIC on my system as Biktarvy. I QUIT in October 2021 and will NEVER touch a Gilead product again. I'm CONVINCED they are liars about study results and side effects. My skin is RUINED because of this awful medication. Even the doctor blew off my concerns. Do your research-get multiple opinions-and be SMART. 'FOREVER TREATMENT' is the path to major profits for these companies and doctors. What's best for the patient is no longer the 1st priority. You MUST watch out for yourself and STEER CLEAR of ANYTHING GILEAD!!!"

• Srb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

"This is my second post on this website. I'm HIV positive since July 2020. I have been on Biktarvy for 4 months. I had my lab tests done after 2 months and a half. My viral load was undetectable and my CD4 raised from 459 to 595. Not bad so far. Symptoms? I had headaches for a while. They seem to be better now. Keep strong, mates!"

• Cov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2018

"The good news is that Biktarvy knocked this into immediate recession, and it got me off Sustiva. The odd things I discovered were twofold. Immediately after starting Biktarvy, I noticed a distinct, totally new body odor! In the desert, we almost never even wear deodorant, so this anomaly was a huge surprise. Unpleasant is a good word. Rank would be another, and not an odor that my body had ever produced before. Deodorant was minimally effective. Good news: it seems to have passed out of my system in under 3 months, and all back to normal. Second issue, not so easily resolved: extreme dry eye and mouth. To the point of eye infections, eyelash infections, etc. I'm on two different oral rinses all day and now addicted to eye drops. These interactions started exactly when I started Biktarvy. I'll be curious to see if others report any of these effects."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

"I was diagnosed with HIV on January 7, 2019. I started Biktarvy on January 31, 2019, and now I am happy to say that as of March 14, 2019, I am UNDETECTABLE! I didn't have any side effects from the medication. I recommend this medicine!"

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2020

"Got diagnosed in Feb 2020 and immediately started treatment. Went from CD4 660 and VL 40,000 to CD4 889 and undetectable in just three weeks. Very happy. Only felt a little tingling in feet the first few weeks. This, however, became worse with time, especially after workouts. More a feeling of numbness and sometimes a sharp feeling of pain. Also got the same feeling in my hands. Suspected neuropathy. Waited it out another 3-4 weeks, but it didn't subside. My doc then took me off Biktarvy and put me on Dovato. Gradually feeling better, but we'll see. Fingers crossed."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2022

"Biktarvy has been bad for my pancreas. I've been taking it since 2018, and prior to that, Descovy. The 'nukes' in Biktarvy = Tenofovir Alafenamide and Emtricitabine & are toxic to my organs. The diarrhea is coming from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This means the ingredients in Biktarvy have inflamed my pancreas so much that I no longer produce enough digestive enzymes to break down the food I eat. Consequently, I have to take digestive enzyme pills with EVERY meal or protein shake to allow my body to absorb the food I eat. My pancreas is so inflamed that I've developed CHRONIC (lifelong) PANCREATITIS. This condition is worse than HIV in the sense that it makes you feel like your stomach/intestines are on FIRE. This chronic inflammation from the drugs in Biktarvy and their effects on my pancreas have slowly destroyed my pancreatic function, and I am now at a much higher risk for developing diabetes and pancreatic cancer. BE WARNED!"

• MEZ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2021

"Where to start? Diagnosed February 2019, CD4: 10, VL: 250,000. I was a 108 lb, 5'10 man diagnosed with wasting syndrome, cryptococcal pneumonia, and thrush. I spent a week on Descovy and Tivicay because the hospital pharmacy did not have Biktarvy. My first year was honestly rough. I was taking Bactrim, fluconazole (which is terrible), promethazine, and Zofran for my nausea. Oh yeah, 16 mg of Suboxone. Once I started to recover and get myself back on track with a routine, I actually got over 200 pounds. I'm 185 now, of muscle, and honestly only take my Biktarvy every other day, in which I have been undetectable for over a year!!! You have to fight for your life, and yes, suffer some side effects. I've been off of the Suboxone for almost a year. I deal with the leg pains at the gym, give your body a good reason to hurt, and you won't wonder why you hurt...."

• Sug...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2021

"Since I've been on Biktarvy, I have had severe stomach bloating, excess belly fat and thigh fat, extreme fatigue, trouble taking in deep breaths, trouble breathing, interrupted sleep pattern, stiff and weak muscles in the legs, cold feet and hands, brittle nails, stiff hands, dropping things easily. Not much control of muscle movement, diabetes, weight fluctuation, lightheadedness. Cannot walk long distances and wanting to sit down all the time, and severe lower back pain."

• smi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

"This is my update on this medication after taking it for 1 month and 10 days. I would say it's very effective. My VL went down from 20,883 to 25, which is an undetectable level. And my CD4 is slowly rising from 526 to 571 in a month. Incredible results with no significant side effects so far. I feel less tired and can perform my daily routine well. Thanks to Biktarvy."

• JZa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

"I switched from Triumeq because of extreme tiredness, but Biktarvy made it even worse. I tried Biktarvy for a week, but I had to switch back because it made me feel like a complete zombie. I was so tired and sleepy that I couldn't get out of bed at all, and when I did get out of bed, I felt confused and disoriented. I had no choice but to stop taking it."

• TJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2019

"I had my first symptoms of HIV in July 2019 of weakness and lack of appetite. I was diagnosed on Aug 6. When my blood work came back, my viral load was 7,560 and CD4 190. I started Biktarvy on Aug 6, 2019. As of Oct 7, my CD4 went up to 450 copies and viral load is now 190. I am so grateful! The doctor also had me on Bactrim until my CD4 went past 400. Thank God!!"

• Bil...
• April 26, 2019

"Dr. switched me to this from Genvoya (also bad news). After 6 months on it, I never know whether I'm going to pass gas or fill my pants. If it's not diarrhea, then it's painful gas and a stool too hard to pass, and I have to take an enema. Lipodystrophy is worse than Norvir. Also, now I have diverticulosis, which I attribute to Biktarvy. I'm going to insist on switching back to my old 3-pill cocktail."

• ll2...
• 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 beforehand, but the doctor switched me because I had lots of weight gain and my cholesterol was skyrocketing. 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 than how I was on Genvoya."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2025

"It definitely keeps my numbers in good standing, but I have a lot of lower back pain almost daily. Other than that, the medicine works great. Oh, and I’ve gained weight, but with diet and exercise, it’s not a big deal."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 7, 2020

"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."

• Cod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2019

"I recently changed my medication from Triumeq to Biktarvy, and the medication is doing me well. I thank my doctor for changing my medication because it's taking away the tingling in my feet that I got from Triumeq."

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

"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 realized these meds' common side effects are similar to 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 the National Health Service."

• Ove...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2020

"Newly diagnosed around 07/23/2020... VL-14,000, CD4-24. The doctor prescribed me Biktarvy, based on my kidney problems. The first week, I felt great, no side effects, I felt stronger, happier, gained some weight, and all of the previous symptoms were gone. The 2nd week, although I still felt strong, I was experiencing very excruciating chronic migraines, every single day (sometimes 2x a day). The migraines were so intense and unpredictable that it felt like I was having a stroke, every single day. I could be feeling fine, then all of a sudden, BAM, the migraine hits out of the blue, my eyes start fluttering, I get dizzy and confused and can't do anything but lay down in front of a fan, because heat is emitting from my head and I can't think at all. It is week 3, the nurse recommended that I find another doctor to help with the migraines, but she doesn't recommend me switching meds, and I should continue taking it or I won't get better... This is horrible."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 21, 2019

"I was on Genvoya for about a year, which I liked very much. Only problem was that you had to take it with a meal. I had no problem switching to Biktarvy, which works as well and you can take it without food. Have felt good since the switch, maybe even a bit more energetic. Hope it stays like this!"

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2018

"I recently started Biktarvy, and boy, let me tell you... night terrors. It's a daily occurrence. I am routinely terrified to the point of not wanting to go back to sleep. It's getting worse as days go by. I make sure I don't drink coffee or caffeine 8 hours before bed. I don't use my smartphone before bed either. Starting to now dread going to bed. Night sweats. Sheets now get washed frequently enough to probably warrant buying more sheet sets. Nausea. Has not subsided a few months in, but it's bad when waking up to night terrors. This occurs with or without a meal. After all this, getting back to sleep requires a sleep medication. Gonna try to switch meds."