Genvoya and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2019

For HIV Infection "Horrible side effect. My doctor kept telling me I was okay, but I know my body more than he does, so I got kinda pissy about it. Then he’s like, it’s just this and that, blah blah blah. Listen to your body and do your research. Genvoya gave me so much diarrhea, I lost so much weight, and I couldn't sleep. I was crazy and worried all the time. I was stressed out, and I couldn’t control my anxiety. I was going crazy, so I had to switch. Finally, my doctor agreed after moaning and moaning at him. Now I’m on Triumeq, and I feel so much better. My eyes aren’t as red anymore."

• Kim...
• January 9, 2019

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed in June 2018. I have taken Genvoya as my first medication since I found I was HIV+. When I was diagnosed as HIV+, my CD4 was 500 and VL was 3,026. I became undetectable after 3 weeks of taking this pill. Yesterday, I went to the doctor, and we decided to change my medication because of side effects. I’ve been suffering from diarrhea since I took Genvoya. When it was serious, I went to the toilet even 6 to 7 times a day. If I ate just a small amount of food or sauce to taste, I should go to the toilet straight away. The gas irritation was serious too. Sometimes, I had muscle pain. The muscle pain was okay to me, but the diarrhea was really annoying. I have a meal, dinner, a day. I couldn’t understand after toileting in the morning why the diarrhea kept happening even without food. Sometimes, I was nervous to go somewhere if I should drive for more than half an hour. Honestly, I don’t want to recommend Genvoya if you are thinking about it. Diarrhea, muscle pain, gas irritation, serious fatigue."

• Tom...
• September 20, 2016

For HIV Infection "Today makes day number four of taking this. I take it right after I eat lunch and experience no issues. I normally suffer with digestion issues, and I am happy to say I have not experienced any. I did have explosive diarrhea the first hour after taking the medication on day one and two, but that has gone away. I have felt nauseated, but only on the second day after taking. Waiting for my new numbers in 30 days. My CD4 was at 352 and VL 897,000 as I was recently infected in June. Will follow up if necessary."

• RLa...
• September 7, 2018

For HIV Infection "Genvoya has been great; have been on it for over a year and switched to it from Stribild (which also worked great). I have been undetectable since 2012, and these two drugs are responsible. I take it each day around lunchtime. I have not experienced any side effects except for loose stool (sorry, but true :)). Hope that helps."

• Lat...
• June 14, 2017

For HIV Infection "This is my 8th day taking this med. I was pretty sick. Virus load 300,000, Cd4 285. No side effects. I had diarrhea for almost 2 months, and my diarrhea stopped as soon as I started with this med. I feel much better, I was very tired, now my energy levels are better. I hope I don't get side effects in the future. I am 40 years old. I tested positive 4/28/2017. Love this med."

• SA7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2016

For HIV Infection "I have been taking this for almost 3 months, after previously being on Complera with some possible kidney-related side effects. So far, not too much problem other than diarrhea about an hour after taking this-every day like clockwork. There were some sleep-related issues (not able to) in the first couple of weeks of switching to Genvoya, but those have gone away. Hoping that kidney function tests will return to normal when checked in about a month. My insurance did not cover this at all, and I had to use the Gilead co-pay program, which was relatively easy to sign up for and get started."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2018

For HIV Infection "Back in 2016, I was diagnosed HIV+, and for the first year, I was dreading sleep, I didn’t want to die in my sleep. I first was on Stribild, and it wasn’t working enough. So then the doctors put me on Genvoya a year later now that Stribild is too expensive for my insurance to cover. Stribild would make me hurt constantly. Now, being on Genvoya, I’m healthy, though I was having diarrhea most nights. So I decided to go another route that is not FDA approved. I have added in Limu, which is a seaweed. My doctors have now run tests, and since then, all my vitals are back to normal, my HIV is undetectable to where they can’t find any trace of my virus, and my health is amazing. I’m no longer feeling pain, my headaches are gone. My CD4 count is extremely high. Now they say I may end up living to be 100. Though I do stay on Genvoya for now. Let’s see what my future may bring."

• Ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2018

For HIV Infection "I found out I was diagnosed with HIV last week. My C count was 770, and my viral load was 970,000. I’ve had horrible diarrhea and nausea, I am weak, so hoping it’ll pass. I’m having trouble sleeping, and I feel really uncomfortable with no appetite. Does it get better is my question? I do dream, but they’re not horrible dreams. It’s three in the morning now, and all I can do is sit on the toilet as my food turns into liquid. Please, somebody with experience, help me..."

• Ray...
• December 13, 2017

For HIV Infection "I've been on this drug for almost two years. Not a bit did I like this drug. I started noticing that I was more depressed than ever. I've become so anxious, so lost. I constantly had diarrhea, and if I was lucky, there were some days I was able to deliver the feces normally. My eyes, they've been red for almost two years, and I assumed it was just my eyes. I remember going off the drug for two days because I didn't have insurance. Everything went back to normal. My eyes whitened again, my stomach felt better, and my mentality got better. I then noticed the drug was the problem after two years. I switched to a different drug, and I'm now recovering and feeling back to normal. Finally convinced the doctor after two years."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2017

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Truvada, Selzentry, Lexiva, Norvir for 10 years. Was not happy about some of these meds being discontinued. I am allergic to a lot of meds. I have been positive since '87.' I have been undetectable for 8. T-cells are 285. I have been taking Genvoya for 1 month, 1 week. The first week was rough: nausea, diarrhea, fever, but I stuck it out. Hope this medicine helps us all. Do not give up."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2017

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in May of 2011, and I am 23, yes, that's 6 years. I was put on Genvoya 6 or 7 months ago. I was switched to this medication from Atripla, where I was having issues with weight because of constant diarrhea. Since switching to this med, my weight has stabilized, and the side effects of this medication are minor compared to others. I have been undetectable since 2012, so that didn't have room for improvement on that. My CD4 has gone down a little, but my CD4 can go up and down 200 points within a 6-month span and be normal, so otherwise, all is well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2018

For HIV Infection "I’ve been on Genvoya for almost 2 weeks now, and besides the diarrhea and slight tiredness, I feel fine. I’m looking forward to seeing how well I do on lab tests after having it in my system longer."

• ALE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2019

For HIV Infection "My first day after Genvoya pill. A little diarrhea and smelly flatulence. My tummy is grumbling. Other feelings a little headache-but maybe that's from the weather outside. Apart from that, nothing noticeable. So far, I think this is a good medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2020

For HIV Infection "I have been on Genvoya a few years. My side effects are that I have dreams, frequent urination, half of the time diarrhea, trouble sleeping, bloating, weight is not bad. Any advice on what to take?"