Biktarvy and Headaches: What Users Say

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2021

For HIV Infection "I don't know what to think or how to feel about Biktarvy. I have experienced diarrhea, nausea, brain fog, lightheadedness, and faintness. Now I'm experiencing headaches, pressure on the head, and my head feels heavy at times. The doctor says the meds are working, but why do I feel so bad if I'm healing? I have been to the ER several times and they all have said that my blood work looks fine and they can't find anything wrong. I don't know if I should change my meds, or if this is normal to have these types of side effects. I've been having bad days since 02/15/2021. At times I feel better and at times I feel irritable. I don't feel sick or ill, I just feel slow-motion at times. I pray that someone finds a cure or vaccine to get rid of this virus. A cure or vaccine for all. I'm on my knees begging whoever has the knowledge to come up with the cure for HIV and AIDS to please have a heart and cure us all, please."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2021

For HIV Infection "I don't know what to think or how to feel about Biktarvy. I have experienced diarrhea, nausea, brain fog, lightheadedness, and faintness. Now I'm experiencing headaches, pressure on the head, and my head feels heavy at times. The doctor says the meds are working, but why do I feel so bad if I'm healing? I have been to the ER several times and they all have said that my blood work looks fine and they can't find anything wrong. I don't know if I should change my meds, or if this is normal to have these types of side effects. I've been having bad days since 02/15/2021. At times I feel better and at times I feel irritable. I don't feel sick or ill, I just feel slow-motion at times. I pray that someone finds a cure or vaccine to get rid of this virus. A cure or vaccine for all. I'm on my knees begging whoever has the knowledge to come up with the cure for HIV and AIDS to please have a heart and cure us all, please."

• Ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2021

For HIV Infection "I’m part of the 5% of HIV+ patients who get strong side effects. Started with Atripla, Truvada, and two others until Genvoya. This Wednesday my doctor decided to switch to Biktarvy because my CD4 was at 976 and I generally have over 1200, and because my cholesterol was high. I experienced dizziness, 20 minutes after taking all, blood would rush into my head and feel extremely high. I had diarrhea over 15 times in a day. Nausea, intestines felt like I had acid running, burning... headache. Abnormal dreams and insomnia, extreme psychosis. I only slept 3 hours in two days. On the second day was desperate, frustrated, and depressed... I’m not suicidal, but just wished I didn't have to live like this. Motivation zero, felt inhuman."

• TDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

For HIV Infection "I had problems with Biktarvy from the moment I took it. Instantly, my stomach felt like an acid pit, and then the headaches started. I tried taking it with food, taking omeprazole for the acid, popping ginger capsules to soothe my stomach, but nothing helped. I also woke up two nights covered in sweat. After a week, I gave up and went back to good old Genvoya. Based on other comments here, my reaction to Biktarvy is clearly not common, so I hope it works better for others who are thinking about starting treatment with it."

• Jen...
• November 17, 2020

For HIV Infection "I've had the virus for over 25 years, been on many drugs, each with its own side effects. Been on Biktarvy for 2 months, at first it was okay, no side effects apart from sweating badly at night, which I don't mind because it's painless. Then after 4 weeks, I started feeling strange, headache at the back end of my head near the neck, so much joint pain, and my hair started falling out soon after I went on this Biktarvy. It falls off in a strange way, like circles or ringworm, but I don't mind that too because it's painless and I wear wigs all the time. But what's scaring me is the sharp headache. So now I'm giving it 2 weeks to see how it will go, if there will be no change, then I will switch."

• Ste...
• September 15, 2019

For HIV Infection "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."

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

For HIV Infection "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!"

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

For HIV Infection "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."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2020

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed on Oct 1, 2019, after being screened for PrEP. Guess I was too late. Started on Biktarvy Oct 30th. Started with a VL of 18500 and CD4 of 269. Only slight side effects, dull headache, which was relieved with Tylenol, and vivid dreams. First follow-up, Dec 4th. VL undetectable, Doc didn't check CD4 at this time. Headaches are less frequent, hydration helps. Second follow-up, Mar 4th, 2020. VL still undetectable, CD4 count up to 516."

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

For HIV Infection "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 doctor says that's hogwash and not side effects. Had to get a second 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."

• Luk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

For HIV Infection "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 one. 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 miserable for the last two days."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

For HIV Infection "I just started Biktarvy on April 30th with a CD4 count of 7 and an unknown VL. Also taking Bactrim and clindamycin for a tooth infection. I'm starting to feel better, I haven't had any insufferable side effects apart from mild headaches, a bit of rash, and maybe one crazy dream. I'm eating healthy and also taking probiotics to protect my stomach. I'm mostly concerned with the tooth infection that hasn't stopped yet. But I'm keeping positive after reading many good experiences with other patients. Let's be strong!"

• Und...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed 4 years ago and immediately began taking Isentress and Truvada. It took years for me to tolerate those drugs. Their effect on my body was terrible, the smell from my urine and feces was awful. The aches and pains from Isentress were the worst. I had difficulty even moving around from the pain. My doctor prescribed Biktarvy. When I began taking it, I had mild headaches, some nausea, and a lot of gas, but the symptoms subsided. The smell from my urine and feces disappeared, and every bit of joint pain disappeared as well. It was amazing, even better, my viral load in 30 days went from 250 to 101. I feel stronger, less phlegm in my chest, I'm not as tired as I was on Truvada and Isentress. Bottom line is this drug blows away my prior treatment and I highly recommend it. One thing for sure, in order for these meds to properly work, you CANNOT have diarrhea! That interferes with the meds being absorbed by your body, that must be controlled, and continuing unsafe receptive sex can cause diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2023

For HIV Infection "I've been on Biktarvy since late 2018, switched from Atripla. Initially, I had some gastrointestinal side effects, but nothing major, and thankfully it resolved after a few weeks. Overall, I'm very pleased with this medication. I have virtually no side effects, and my lab work could not be better. My alkaline phosphatase used to be a little high when I was on Atripla, it dropped significantly since starting Biktarvy. I used to get more headaches and a tired feeling on Atripla. Overall, this is a great antiretroviral with a low side effect profile."

• Dal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2021

For HIV Infection "Been taking Biktarvy for almost 2 weeks now and have started having some of the craziest dreams, leg pain, and it sounds weird, but my buttocks hurt to the point I can barely sit down, right side pain, and mild headaches. Being newly diagnosed has me a little concerned. Gonna call my doc in the morning. I think I'm getting one too many side effects to feel comfortable staying on it."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2022

For HIV Infection "After 1.5 months on Biktarvy: daily headaches and debilitating fatigue, responds to 81 mg aspirin or 1/8-1/4 teaspoon ginger powder (anti-inflammatory). The left side of my neck started to feel uncomfortably 'tight'-something was getting inflamed there. The headaches and the 'tight' neck started to go away only after I stopped Biktarvy and went to an older drug combo."

• Mad...
• March 25, 2019

For HIV Infection "Have been taking different types of HIV meds since April 2016 due to bad side effects like nightmares and terrible headaches. Genvoya has been working well, but I have decided to switch due to the fat being accumulated on my thighs, which makes them bigger (like chicken thighs :) ), even though my doc doesn't believe me and won't agree that this is a side effect. He has now put me on Biktarvy after I insisted that I can't go on with Genvoya, but I will be starting in 10 days' time as I have to finish the last tabs of Genvoya. Am hoping for no or minimum side effects, but after reading most reviews here, it seems like this med is much better. Did anyone experience fat accumulation on a certain part of the body? I will give an update here once I have tried it for 2 weeks."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2021

For HIV Infection "I have been on Biktarvy since December of 2018. I switched from Atripla that I was on for 12 years, and I never looked back. Although I did experience initial adjustment side effects such as an upset stomach and headaches for the first month. Now I wake up without a headache that I used to get almost every morning and also have more energy to do things."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2024

For HIV Infection "Boyfriend has been on Biktarvy for a month. Found out on May 3 that he was HIV positive. He had 133,000 copies and a CD4 count of 26. He just got blood work done 3 days ago with a result of 106 copies and a CD4 count of 136. This shows 2 months' progress. At the beginning of Biktarvy, he experienced no symptoms. A month after using Biktarvy, he experienced nausea and headaches that ibuprofen and Zofran couldn't help with. He also had some weight gain, a healthy one. It is a good improvement. Hoping to switch to alternate medications in the future to something less harsh on the organs."

• WOW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2022

For HIV Infection "I am 22. I recently just got diagnosed with HIV. I was kind of shocked by it, but I said everything in life happens for a reason! I was into the modeling business, I was a film star. Now I do not know what to do. I attend Virginia State University. My doctor is now trying to figure out which drug to give me, but I have been having oral thrush lately, so the doctor gave me a pill called Flo something. My CD4 count was 55, my viral load was 10,000. I run cross country. I also do a lot of other things. I have been taking vitamin B and C pills to help build my immune system up. But I go back to the doctor on the 23rd to figure out which pill I should get on. I have ADHD also. My energy levels are fine, my appetite is fine. I have a mild dry cough. I noticed that my head hurts, and I get a little irritable."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2023

For HIV Infection "This medication caused itchiness on my face, arms, and eyes, as well as my back. It also resulted in confusion and a general feeling of being unwell, along with headaches, among other symptoms."

• Bam...
• October 2, 2019

For HIV Infection "I was recently diagnosed and started today on Biktarvy. I had the first dose in the morning and just had a little headache. Let's see how it goes."