Genvoya and Fatigue: What Users Say

• MJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2020

For HIV Infection "I’ve been on Genvoya for 2 years after first learning my diagnosis. I was undetectable within a month, and my counts have been fantastic. I spoke to my doctor about some side effect concerns, and he told me to give it time. I’ve been speaking to him for about a year about my fatigue, lack of sleep, weight gain of over 40 pounds, depression, and sometimes numbness in my hands and feet. He says I work too much, and it’s all stress related. During the quarantine, I stopped taking my meds, ate clean, and worked out. I lost 11 pounds the first month. I kept the same routine and started taking my meds again. I’ve gained 2 pounds. This doesn’t add up. At this point, I don’t know if switching to other meds would be any better. They all sound like they have similar side effects."

• Lin...
• September 16, 2018

For HIV Infection "To be completely honest, reading all of these reviews leaves me feeling skeptical. The formula of pronouncing CD4 (as if I can even remember mine in the horror of finding out I was positive) and viral load. My own experience was I researched the newest and best drug and spoke with my doctor about Genvoya. We agreed that it would be a good option as it’s sort of like the new and improved Atripla. I am awaiting my next appointment to check my VL and CD4. Since I work overseas, I’ve been on Genvoya for 6 months and don’t know how my lab work is coming just yet, BUT I can speak on behalf of the side effects. Poor concentration, nerve pain in the left side of my head trickling down to my neck, fatigue that baffles me, forgetfulness, digestive discomfort, sleep that’s never quite good enough, cold extremities, and weakness. I’m worried because it’s a tough pill to swallow that my meds make me feel worse, and I think a lot of people with honest and unsponsored reviews can relate."

• PDX...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2018

For HIV Infection "Tested positive 6/1/16, started with Stribild 7/8/16 and then moved over to Genvoya 13 months ago. VL was 56k and CD4 just 154. Genvoya works, it works very well, and the side effects for me do not exist. I did just have a miserable 2 weeks on Triumeq (I do have higher cholesterol now, never did until HIV meds). However, I could not handle the head rush, anxiousness, and fatigue on Triumeq. Never had any side effects with Stribild or Genvoya, and cannot wait to go to the pharmacy and get it back. Don't think there are no options if something is not working. We all have the right to feel great while on treatment. Not all choices are the same...tell your doc when something is amiss. Lifelong treatment does not mean the experience has to be miserable!!! Always UD now."

• Del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2016

For HIV Infection "I was on a robust regimen (for 8 years) that was working great, but seemed like a heavy load (2 x per day, multiple pills...) and what attracted me was the once per day option and 'easier' effects on my biology. I began taking Genvoya and, unfortunately, lasted only 2 weeks. My fingers were tingly and going numb, my heart rate was stressed, intense fatigue began to be a problem, muscle aches, and then my sternum started to hurt. My doctor let me know if Genvoya proved not to work for me that I could easily go back to my previous med combo. I chose to go back and VOILA! I feel 100% better and all side effects are subsiding or are gone after only 2 days. For me, I felt like I was taking poison - was this really researched?"

• Upt...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 28, 2017

For HIV Infection "Most people here have mentioned little to no side effects. That is good, and I believe you. I’ve been on this for about 18 months. Before that, I was on Stribild and Atripla. Started in 2010. I’ve no idea why, but I am that 1% who gets side effects others do not. I am now into my 4th doctor since 2003 due to insurance provider issues. Only one ever really listened to me, though. One even flat out said it’s not possible to have side effects. I keep saying I have fatigue and other side effects. I can’t concentrate. Forgetful. I recently found out I have the early stages of neuropathy. I have chronic depression. I can’t complain since it’s saving my life, but I wish they had a way to tweak the dose for each individual. Oh well."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2017

For HIV Infection "I have been taking Genvoya since September 2016. I had absolutely no side effects for the first month or two, except constantly breaking out into small rashes on my face, chest, and back, which the docs claimed was not the medication. After the second month, my hands and feet started getting so tingly to the point that they'd go numb. This is still happening, and now weekly vitamin B12 shots help, but not completely. I was given the B12 for severe lack of energy and always wanting to sleep, which started happening four months after into Genvoya (shame it didn't work for that). Lastly, my bones feel weaker than ever. Hey, I can deal with this, as the alternative of no meds is one I don't ever want to face."

• Jaj...
• October 19, 2018

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed 07/22/18 with CD4 578, viral load 654,000. I started taking Genvoya 8/30/18, after one month, my CD4 count is 754, viral load of 1,130. My experience on Genvoya has not been good. For the first few days, I have had vivid and triggering dreams. They stopped. Then I noticed a week or so later I was starting to develop bad muscle pains in my feet, legs, and hips. These pains are mainly sharp cramps (charley horses) and would happen frequently in my sleep and whenever I was cold. It felt as if I ran for miles, every day, just always fatigued and often short of breath. On top of that, I noticed my toes and fingers were sometimes unable to move. I would lose feeling in my pinkies and pointer fingers and would have to pull them back up into place. I am 24 y/o. I’m also transgender and on HRT, take 2 mg of estradiol twice daily and 100 mg spironolactone twice daily. My doctor informed me HRT and ART have no effect on each other and is now switching to Triumeq."

• Sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 1, 2021

For HIV Infection "Been on Genvoya for around 6 years after having been on Stribild for 2. No major side effects at the start, but gradually my mental health has struggled with anxiety/panic, and now I feel depression is setting in. Fatigue has also become a real issue. Not sure if this is related to Genvoya or not, but have asked the clinic if I can try switching to rule it out. Having done some reading on others, though, genuinely not sure what will be best to try. I should add that my numbers have been good on this."