Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil User Reviews & Ratings

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2015

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I can't believe there aren't Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis reviews here yet! I've been on PrEP treatment for a little over 6 months and it's been uneventful. Nothing, nada, zilch has happened. Except, despite a huge increase in sex. I had a bad hypomanic episode last year that translated into poor choices, I don't have HIV. So, I suppose it's worked! No noticeable side effects for me. All blood work (kidneys, etc.) is in the normal range."

• jnm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 19, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "My husband and I have been taking Truvada as PrEP for the past 3.5 years. The only symptom we both experienced during the first few weeks was a very localized and nearly constant mild headache located just above and behind the palate - very much like where one would feel a 'brain freeze,' which sensation is far more unpleasant, though of much shorter duration, than the side effect we experienced when starting Truvada. The headache wasn't debilitating, and we were able to tolerate it without taking pain relievers. Aside from those initial 'ice cream' headaches, we have tolerated Truvada very well, and our lab results have always returned normal. Perhaps the best positive effect we've experienced from taking Truvada every day is an enormous reduction in psychological stress, anxiety, and fears about HIV transmission. We learned what 'undetectable' status really means and have been able to overcome the social and sexual stigma of HIV. Undetectable = Untransmittable! #UequalsU"

• RQa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Truvada worked out fine for a couple of months, had mild headaches and some nausea the first couple of days when I started taking it. Then it was all good for a while. But a recent physical with a urine test showed I had abnormal kidney function, Stage 2 CKD (which is pretty mild but still concerning). I thought at first I was just experiencing my usual insomnia and general soreness, but they got worse the longer I was on the medicine. Definitely stopping Truvada use and switching to another type of PrEP."

• Hai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2020

For HIV Infection "I've been using Truvada for almost 5 years. My numbers are okay. Recently became undetectable. I notice a major sleeping problem. My knees, ankles, and back always hurt. While I'm on quarantine, so much time off decided to do some research. I am only 46 and have more pain than a 90-year-old. I am sure I can blame Truvada for that."

• 71 ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I had my first 90-day Truvada prescription, and I stopped taking it after I got my kidneys tested on day 71 (12/20/19). The creatinine level raised to 1.7, and GFR was 57. I was ordered a kidney test on 12/31/19 for safety due to being sick. The creatinine level again raised up to 2.0, and GFR dropped to 38. I was recommended to get another test after a week to see if the kidneys will get better. I'm nervous because I expected the kidneys would start getting back to normal after I had stopped Truvada, but no."

• Oki...
• January 2, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I took Truvada for a year as PrEP. For the entire 12 months, I vomited and had intense nausea just about every day. Labs were always normal, and doctors said side effects would go away, they never did. I’m in a long-term sero-discordant relationship with someone who has an undetectable VL and a normal CD4 count. We both have several long-term regular play partners. Vomiting every day is not normal and subsided once I D/C’d the Truvada. I’ve essentially gone back to condoms, and my regular partners don’t mind. Truvada is obviously not for everyone, but it helps prevent infections in those who can tolerate it. I highly discourage taking the medication if your side effects continue past the time they’re supposed to subside. I have damage to my esophagus related to vomiting nearly every day for a year. Not worth it for me, the medicine does protect against infection, but it's not a justification to puke and feel like death every day. Don’t think I’ll risk it with Descovy."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have taken TRUVADA for 1 year now as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). My lab results have always come back normal and HIV negative. I sometimes visit bathhouses, which are very risky places, and I have always remained HIV negative. The only side effects I had were some diarrhea the first week and about 40 pounds in weight loss, maybe due to appetite loss. Other than that, PrEP has been effective and an amazing drug in my opinion."

• Joh...
• August 29, 2013

For HIV Infection "I started Truvada once a day along with Isentress twice a day, and my HIV load was 28,000 and CD4% 31%. After 40 days, my HIV load is <20 and CD4% 32.7. Excellent improvement considering I have experienced ZERO side effects, and all other lab work came out well. I am 49 years old and very active."

• Sex...
• June 29, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have taken Truvada for 2 years. For 2 months, I had nausea and vomiting. I didn’t drink or use any drugs. I had no side effects for a time. At one point, I went off Truvada and started it again a couple months later. I experienced the nausea and vomiting all over again for a month. After resuming drinking for about 6 weeks, I had headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, urinary symptoms, etc. I read that alcohol can worsen side effects of Truvada and stopped drinking. Many side effects have subsided. Ongoing side effects which trouble me are urinary frequency and urgency, and a feeling of extreme pressure when my bladder is even slightly full, and extreme thirst. I have also had trouble swallowing. Was tested for bladder infections and STIs and have ruled those out. My concern is that it might be damaging my kidneys. I have testing 2 weeks from now and am anxious to see my kidney values!"

• A-C...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2017

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I've been taking pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP) now for over 3 years. It's kept me HIV negative, thankfully. However, the longer I'm on it, the more issues I have with sleep and irritability... I also feel like I'm not as enthusiastic as I was before taking PrEP. This can all be tied to the sleep problems that I feel are a side effect of Truvada. So I'm not completely free of side effects. But I am glad that there is a pill we gay men can take to protect us from HIV."

• Wil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "DO NOT take Truvada or Descovy if you care about your face and waistline. It's better just to abstain. I took Truvada for six months, and my cheeks lost fat and are sunken in. Plus, the fat redistributed to my waist and became even more dense. I took this medicine to save myself from HIV, but didn't realize I'd end up looking like a ghoul in the process. STAY AWAY FROM THIS STUFF."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2022

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Taking for precautionary reasons, as my spouse is HIV positive but undetectable. Been taking as prescribed for 6 months. Tests come back in the desired range every time, but I have been experiencing nausea and vomiting every morning for the most part since beginning Truvada. Doctor doesn't appear terribly concerned and suggested taking in the morning. I hate vomiting, but completely worth it to be able to safely make love to my husband."

• Let...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2021

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I have been taking Truvada for about 9 months now. No major side effects. Slight headache in the beginning and an ongoing low appetite. My lab results have been good thus far. I'm concerned over the fact that when I mention Truvada use to friends, they immediately say, 'We don't take that one anymore.' I have raised the issue with the doc, and the response is that Truvada is a lot safer now than in the beginning. Anyone have more insight into this? Have remained HIV-."

• Bad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 10, 2020

For HIV Infection "After taking Truvada with seemingly zero issues, I had a nagging spine ache issue. Finally, the pain landed me in the ER, and after many tests and scans, I was informed I have degenerative disc disease. This disease is incurable but not life-threatening. I wasn't informed that it is a side effect of Truvada, which I continued taking, and my pain issues grew much worse. Once being informed of the link to Truvada, I switched meds, and the pain stayed but stopped accelerating. If your spine gives you any pain on Truvada, TELL YOUR DOCTOR. The pain can become debilitating."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2017

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Tried Truvada twice as PrEP, including this spring. Both times my heart rate went crazy during my regular exercise routines, starting about 3 weeks after going on the medication. I'm discontinuing Truvada again and hoping my heart returns to normal behavior in a couple weeks, as it did last time."

• DWE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2019

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I lost weight when starting this drug. YAY! I also got cellulitis four times over a six-month period. When I stopped Truvada, the cellulitis stopped. (Dermatologist suggested) When I waited a few weeks and started again, the cellulitis immediately began, and I stopped altogether. I am HIV negative. Was only taking for PrEP."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2011

For HIV Infection "I have been on the combination of Truvada, Prezista, and Norvir for over 2 years now. The side effects that cause me the most problems are the ones dealing with my kidneys! The Truvada has made my GFR go down to 30, very close to changing medicines at that point. But it has been working so well that we took a very close look at my kidney function, and my GFR has stabilized around 55. Other than that, the side effects have been minimal to none. Great medicine overall!"

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

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "I've tried Truvada twice. The first time I was okay for the first 12 hours, and then I was violently ill, vomiting 8 times in the day and couldn't function. I put that down to not having it with a meal or enough fluids, and so I tried again two weeks later. This time I tried it with a meal and water, and I had the same result. Really severe reaction that totally floored me. I really want it to work, but there is no way it is a mild side effect for me."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

For HIV Infection "Doctor put me on Truvada as part of my medication for HIV. I almost died from it. My kidneys went down to 50%, luckily, we caught it in time. The new medication is just one pill, and the pill and I get along."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2020

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "The first day I took Truvada, I had low appetite and a little grogginess, however, the side effects were gone by the next day. I'm still not experiencing side effects. I'm glad that science has come a long way to protect us from HIV - I am taking it for PrEP."

• Sco...
• April 19, 2010

For HIV Infection "After one year on Truvada in combination with Prezista and Norvir - the only listed side effect I may be suffering from is insomnia - and I think that has more to do with other factors than with Truvada (I take it at noon). After hearing about possible side effects with HIV medicines - it is a pleasant surprise!"

• Wu ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2024

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis "Zero side effects. Was taking the generic form with zero side effects. Tested every 3 months. After 2 years, all tests normal, but the prescribing Dr. changed me to Descovy, saying it was hard on some people's kidneys. Not sure if the Dr. is getting kickbacks from Gilead as Generic Truvada is cheap and Descovy is still under patent and very expensive. Even though I only pay the co-pay, insurance picks up the rest. Was very happy with Truvada - no side effects with it or the new medication either."

• Sic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 18, 2015

For HIV Infection "I've been on Truvada daily for more than 5 years. I have had numerous problems, though it has kept my viral load undetectable. Most recent issues are elevated creatinine, elevated lipase, UTIs, nausea, vomiting, bloating. They are slowly ruling out all other causes, but I am suspecting it is the meds. I started on Truvada, Norvir, and Lexiva, but after a few years on that combo, my liver began to fail. They stopped the HIV meds then, but opted to reintroduce the Truvada as it's excreted through the kidneys and added Isentress. That was changed to Tivicay and Truvada, which is my current regimen."

• GET...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2019

For Nonoccupational Exposure "I was prescribed PEP after a condom slipped off during vaginal intercourse. As it turns out, I did not need the treatment, and the doctor wasn't supposed to prescribe it to me under those circumstances. I was told side effects were mild and nothing long-term. Developed abdominal issues two weeks in. Was told not to worry, that was normal and it would pass. I was on treatment for one month. It's been eight months since it ended, but the issues have only gotten worse. I'm in crippling pain most of the time. I have trouble keeping any weight on. I'm afraid to eat because I know what will happen after that. It's getting to the point where I won't be able to work soon. I've had several tests done, but they can't figure it out. My life is a living nightmare now. I would give anything if I could go back and not take these drugs. They made me sign a waiver beforehand, which should have been a red flag, I guess. Whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE THESE DRUGS unless you are ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that it is 100% NECESSARY!!!"

• Lip...
• February 19, 2022

For HIV Infection "After 3 years on Tivicay and Truvada, I lose fat from my face: forehead, temples, cheeks, jawline. No other side effects; I still play half professional football and train 5 times a week. If you have a low body fat level when starting treatment, avoid this combination."