My Stribild Review

[pr1990]

Ok, I started Stribild on june 4 2014 with a CD4 at 317, and Viral Load at 1,1 million. I take it everyday at 4:30pm with food.  My next labs to check cd4 and viral load is at july 23.

So far in this 10 days, Stribild has caused me some minor side effects. Most common on me is dizziness (feeling like you're on a boat) some head pressure but not a fully headache, and diarrhea (I have this even before Stribild because HIV was causing me gastrointestinal problems which led doctors to find out that I had HIV, so Im not sure if this diarrhea is because of Stribild itself).  The only time I get nausea was because I swallow the medicine first and then eat... I dont suggest to do that, you will experience nausea, diarrhea (and this one will be because of medicine..) and some fever. So after that lesson, I always swallow the pill after I have eaten all the food, and no nausea comes after.

Will update the post later with my new labs, or if any other side effect presents in the run.

[la-hir]

Hi pr1990, we started exactly same day with same medication...  is good so fare.. I am just trying figure out what food can eliminate bitter- metallic taste in my mouth, because sometimes I have it sometimes not. I take my pill with breakfast always between 8-9. I am not exact at the time sometimes early and sometimes late but always between 8 and 9 AM I have sometimes pressure in my head, but is always go away in few minutes. I realise, that when I drinking lots of water true the day I feel better. I will have my blood done in Monday. Results 24/6 when I see my DR. One thing make me very nervous and that is Stribild interaction I need to use now steroid cream for my eczema and is looks like I shouldn't use it at all.... L. X

[pr1990]

Well, I have not presented the metallic taste that some people talks about, but I dont think changing foods will help with that, food will just taste bad because of the medicine as side effect, like when someone is sick, the food will not taste good no matter what.  However you should verify that mettalic tasting with your doctor, since I didn't read about it on the possible side effects charts, but I have read a lot of post talking about it too, so its not only you. 
About the time to take it, I decided to take it 4:30pm everyday because I was sure I was going to be awake by that time all days... I like to sleep a lot so if I choose 8am like you, my adherence would be terrible if some days I wake up at 1pm... hehe.  Plus my work lunch break is from 3:45pm to 4:45pm so I got the chance to take it at my lunch break with food when at work.

[fgh12]

Hey guys, congratulations with your brave choice of starting meds.
Like you, I also started Stribild, but about 1 month ago.
It has been a smooth sail till now. I'm getting my viral load and cd4 labs next week.

Pr1990 I think some of your symptoms like are indeed due to your quite high viral load.
However, like most haart meds, diarrhoea could also be due to the Stribild.
If you like on the forum, you will see that most of us that started Stribild had little to no side effects, so I cannot comment on your other side effects.

However, most people adjust to the meds and probably in a few weeks you won't have side effects anymore, I think especially in your case when your viral load starts going down.

Good luck to you both with the treatment!

[pointer165]

21days on Stribild::
My side effects:: trouble sleeping good even with extra Ativan

I know once I've taken my dose( on a high fat meal.. Make a grilled cheese) the next 6-8 hours I'm running to the bathroom to pee/ no diarrhea / at least 6-10 times per hour , so I've increased water intake a bit

The worse us tightening of the chest/ like a panic attack but it's not.. Can't take a reap breath at times.

The last two lasts the 6-8 hours. Just sent off an email to my md

Thanks
TC

[tednlou2]

For those taking Stribild, have you found all the discussions about drug interactions and boosting many meds, not listed to be red flags, to not be an issue?  Or, have usual doses of other meds before now make you feel like you've taken much more?

[AusShep]

For those taking Stribild, have you found all the discussions about drug interactions and boosting many meds, not listed to be red flags, to not be an issue?  Or, have usual doses of other meds before now make you feel like you've taken much more?

Jesus dude, have you started yet?  I've been gone a bit...

I've had listed drug boost interactions due to ritonavir before but never noticed anything or had any changes in my bloodwork.

[Dan0]

For those taking Stribild, have you found all the discussions about drug interactions and boosting many meds, not listed to be red flags, to not be an issue?  Or, have usual doses of other meds before now make you feel like you've taken much more?

A complete non-issue.

[la-hir]

Hello,

metallic taste gone...  great ... dry mouth is better also ....

but last three days I have very bad headache  I am taking my medicine in the morning and headache is come usually around 4 in afternoon
Don't wanna take any other medication so just suffer ... never have that before... is like pressure on side of my head...
Trying drink lots of water also eat lots of water melon, thats no help. 
Would be helpful take my medicine in night though to sleep it  
Other then that don't feel my Stribild...

BTW did you hear about UK trial for Stribild-LIGHT  

L. lots of love! x

[pointer165]

I had a good day & night yesterday on the Stribild.. It's a strange medication because my side effects do not take over till hours after I take the pill.. I read the package insert of this drug/ specifically says HIGH fat meal.. So I make sure that meal is in my stomach before I take it.. I think this has helped a bit
Thanks
TC
/center]

[Dan0]

Hello,

metallic taste gone...  great ... dry mouth is better also ....

but last three days I have very bad headache  I am taking my medicine in the morning and headache is come usually around 4 in afternoon
Don't wanna take any other medication so just suffer ... never have that before... is like pressure on side of my head...
Trying drink lots of water also eat lots of water melon, thats no help. 
Would be helpful take my medicine in night though to sleep it  

I don't mean to be insulting - but are you sure that you're not drinking TOO much water? It can cause just as strange of a reaction as too many vitamins and supplements.  It just seems odd that taking the medication in the morning would result in a side effect that much later (8 hours plus?).  If you've changed anything in your routine in preparation for side-effects, well, THAT may be causing the side-effects! Even when I made the stupid mistake of double-dosing (and don't laugh, most of us have been there!), the effects hit me within 30 minutes or so - not hours later.

The metallic taste I have encountered rarely and usually it was when I took the pill absolutely *dry*.  If I popped the pill and then went to eat in a few minutes, that taste would sometimes be present.  If I made sure to down it with some liquid (coffee, soda, water), then it seemed as if there wasn't anything to notice. Not a full-on quart of water, just enough to get it down. I don't think that the few times I experience the metallic taste that it was from the absorbtion of the pill but the remnants of the coating in my throat. 

[pointer165]

Water intake:: I count my 8oz of water / never quarts / sometimes I forget to hydrate and that is why I count . I totally agree with you about too much water .. Former Pharmacist here

Thanks
TC

[fgh12]

Can you give me more info on the Stribild light thing?

I have had a few bad headaches but I don't think it was the stribild.
In fact, I had one yesterday when i woke up on my couch after falling asleep for 6 straight hours and forgetting to take my pill!

[eric48]

Can you give me more info on the Stribild light

I am curious toknow too.  Mobile.eric

[la-hir]

Hello,
though I figured out what trigger my headache. I am studying or my exam till late night and I think I am just tired... I have had 9 hours sleep last night and - today feel great! no headache at all 

I need to agree with that Stribild is weird medication... any feeling about tablet in the body is come after hours when you take it. And always least few minutes and after they gone..

I can't wait for my first results next Tuesday.

I have question about Bone density- How long is going to take this will start appear in our bodies?

Stribild light is testing by Liverpool University Hospital. Trial is up to 2016. There is some reduction of Elvitegravir and exchange of Tenofovir with something else.
I found it on Terence Higgins Trust_UK

Thank you guys! Lots of Love! L. x

[fgh12]

Could you please post or pm the link?
 I'm really curious!

Quad was the name of Stribild in the beginning:
Bone health

According to the FDA, “In previous clinical trials, tenofovir has been associated with bone toxicity, including decreases in bone mineral density.” The occurrence of thinner-than-normal bones (osteopenia) and severely thin bones (osteoporosis) was as follows:

Quad – 1.3%
Atripla – 0%
atazanavir-based regimen – 2.2%
Overall, the proportion of participants with broken bones was less than 1% and distributed as follows:

Quad – 0.4%
Atripla – 0.9%
atazanavir-based regimen – 0.9%
Most of the fractures were mild or moderate in severity.

Study technicians also performed low-dose X-ray scans (called DEXA) of bones to assess their density in a subset of participants:

Quad – 54 participants
atazanavir-based regimen – 66 participants
Overall, small decreases in bone density in the spine and hip occurred. This has happened in other clinical trials and appears to be relatively common in the first year or two of ART. After this time, bone density tends to stabilize.


http://www.catie.ca/en/treatmentupdate/treatmentupdate-191/anti-hiv-agents/quad-safety-and-effectiveness-issues-depth

[Waterboy]

I started Stribild today a little dizzy and my ears are ringing like tinnitus.I have had it before, years ago has anyone had that.

[la-hir]

Waterboy - exactly!!! I have that my first day.
I also have ears problems one year a go and my first day with Stribild... but is gone away quiet quickly.
fgh12:
http://forum.myhiv.org.uk/default.aspx?g=posts&t=4558

Lots of love! L. x

[Waterboy]

Thanks taking my second, I did sleep good last night and almost didn't want to get up but was called in a 5 am

[InquisitHIV]

I have also had ear problems,,, way too much wax, having to clean our wet wax regularly with cotton buds,,, never experienced this before!

[BT65]

I have been on Stribild for about a year and am not treatment naive and have found it is one of the easiest meds I've ever taken as far as side effects are concerned.  The only one I ever noticed was nausea the morning after taking it; but only around the start of the med, and only lasting a short period.

I've been on many, many different meds since the early 90's, and know all about meds that cause a large amount of side effects, and Stribild is not one of them.  I do not attribute all the physical "things" I have to Stribild.  While it is good to know the "usual" side effects, I do not obsess over every little thing. As I said, I definitely do not believe every little physical issue I have can be attributed to Stribild. 

The only thing that ever caused me concern is the Truvada's tendency to cause kidney issues, but only because I'm diabetic so am more prone to this.  And when I was a case manager, I had a few clients that had to stop Truvada due to kidney problems.  But, my doctor checks my kidneys every time I get labs (every 6 months), so I am not as concerned.  I believe I have a good doctor.

While it is good to research our meds and know the components of each, what they can cause etc., I do not get all worked up about every little ingredient, aspect, etc.  The reason for me not to do this is because I can develop everything I read about.  I realize others may not experience this.  I do believe in having a partnership with my doctor concerning my care.  I do not rely just on my doctor for everything.  I can't, I've been living with this for far too long to put "all" my trust in the medical community, without relying on my own knowledge and experience.

As I said, Stribild has been one of the best tolerable meds I've ever taken.  I take the Stribild at night, don't watch out for certain foods, and I do take something for GERD.  I would have a discussion with my pharmacist, doctor, if I had certain concerns.  I have never heard of any HIV med causing excessive ear wax.  I would probably attribute that to something else. 

Betty

[Tsolteg]

one week Stribild: nightmares, lil bit foggy head, lil head ache and neuropathy issues a increased. Gas gas gas. The many sever side effects while on Complera vanished in <48hrs. Eating and sleeping well. Do have nightmares but they are nothing like Sustiva terrors.
Stay tuned. Only a week. Im assuming and hoping body will settle in.

[Lightknight]

Hi all!
Late in here, but maybe of some interest anyway for new starters on stribild

So, Here's my “start-up” story on Stribild.
So far, so good!

I take my pill at 8pm, starting before with some dinner.

On treatment since 02/28-15 CD4 338 24,7% VL 12600

This is what has happened so far:


1 Stomach problem, some light nausea during most days in the first week. Loose stool 2 times, cramp and bad nausea 2 times. First incident at the 3:rd day, second at 8:Th day.
After that, my stomach works better than ever before treatment. Yeah!!

2 having some weird, insane thoughts without any meaning, mostly happened some hours after taking meds. Problem gone after the first week.

3 Light itching sometimes during the day, different locations, gone after the first week.

4 Some light acne, gone after the first week.

5 More vivid dreams, nice actually, old lost friends popped up.  Unpleasant dreams just at 2 occasions, no more unusual dreams after week 2.

6 After one week, a feeling of an infection in my left side of the mouth. Gum looks normal though.
A Mouthwash,(nonalcoholic)the doctor gave me at the same time as my eye exploded fixed it.

7 Headache, but not especially bad, comes and goes without pattern. Mostly in the morning. Stopped after 2 weeks.

8 Some days very tired, others with more energy than before taking meds, after 3 weeks still present.

9 Muscle pain and joint pain if I work hard physically one week in to treatment. A feeling of losing muscle force. Arms and legs hurts in the night, better after day 8. Problem gone after 2 weeks.

10 My eyelid vent badly infected at beginning of week 3,(again left side) I had My doctor prescribe some antibiotic cream and the problem was cleared after 5 days.

Now in the end of week 3, the only side effect is tiredness 2-3 times/week in the afternoon, it feels like I must go to sleep.
Red Bull don't work on it.

2-4 hours after taking the tablet, I have a slight feeling of having light fever, but I have not.
It's difficult to adjust thickness of the bedcover to what temperature makes me feel comfortable. As soon as it fades off (quickly),I go into some new sort of deep sleep. Nice in a way, but new to me.
I had more and more tinnitus just before treatment start. Didn't think of it specially, but now it seems to be less and less. Strange, and Good!



In all: GOOD, Do not be afraid to start. Don't delay it as I did.
I totally hated the idea of being dependent on a pill every day, but after accepting my HIV status and the fact that we all are mortal and starting treatment: NO BIG DEAL! It feels absolutely OK today.
The more CD4 you have to start with, the better you will be on treatment.
I'm so waiting for to have safer sex being UD. That self-stigma issue did bothered me.
I will write back here after the next bloodwork.

Best to you all!
/Eric


The absolute biggest majority of humans are by fact in the group of the already dead, and that makes any practicing psychiatric or archaeologist very happy. /Me

[GoForIt]

As I said, Stribild has been one of the best tolerable meds I've ever taken.  I take the Stribild at night, don't watch out for certain foods, and I do take something for GERD.  I would have a discussion with my pharmacist, doctor, if I had certain concerns.  I have never heard of any HIV med causing excessive ear wax.  I would probably attribute that to something else. 

Betty

Just wondering what do you take for GERD.  I've been reading about that because of my own random stomach issues that just annoy the heck out of me.

[BT65]

Just wondering what do you take for GERD.  I've been reading about that because of my own random stomach issues that just annoy the heck out of me.

I take Protonix.  It wirks pretty well.  Sorry ito took me so long to answer.

I will say that if I have an unusually stressful day, I have to drink some Gaviscon.  This was recommended by my pharmacist.

Betty

[GoForIt]

Thanks I do appreciate your reply and will probably look into this.  I'm always stressing and my stomach always feels uneasy like im starving...it never stops bothering me ya know?  Anyway hope all is well thanks again.

[corkguy]

Hey lads & lassies,
I am starting my stribild medication on monday (treatment naieve as they say), kinda worried about it, but your posts are really helping to keep the nerves at bay.
I will keep you posted as i now know the true benefits of forums such as these.
Toodles!

healthy, happy, productive & carefree.....repeat after me!

[zach]

Yall keep in mind that some of what is being called side effects is your body now fighting hiv

[corkguy]

Hey, me again!
I forgot to ask yesterday is there any issue with drinking while on stribild? I don't drink much anyway but I am curious.
While i am on the subject, what about smoking weed?
Cheers

[zach]

i'll tell you about the last few nights... peach moonshine and purple kush

all things in moderation, but drinking and cannabis are fine

maybe... just maybe... vaping or edibles is better than burning

but it's nothing to do with hiv or stribild

[corkguy]

Thanks, that made me laugh!
so everything in moderation.............life lesson
took first pill his morning. Here we go!

[Lightknight]

Hi All!!
Update on test result from 28:Th of Mars -15:

So, one month in to treatment with Stribild and I'm now UD!! Less than 20 copys/ml
Like no side effects.

CD4 up to 366 and I made a mistake with the percentage.
 it was apparently 17.8% when I started, now 21.4% Good!

Downside is that Kidneys seems to suffer a bit, proteinurie Went from 0,07 to 0,23 and rapport albuminuire/cre should be max 2.0 but is 11,67. Not too urgent anyway I hope.
We will see what the doctor say about it.

So to all U that are affraid to start: Just DO IT! it´s soooo liberating to be UD!!

Best to U ALL!!

[corkguy]

Hey all, more than 2 weeks into my stribild regimen, to be honest I did not notice any side effects. I have been very busy the last few weeks and that obviously helped to distract me but thankfully, I did not notice anything unusual going on. Hope ye all are doing OK on it.

[richardhsmithson]

I did a med switch six months ago. I switched from Norvir Reyataz Truvada to stribild. Definitely a great switch. I am not having lydistrophy or gastric problems that I had. I am greatful. In September my cd4 was 276 today 435.... Almost to that five hundred. I am grateful that I have been on this med.

[next2u]

i'll tell you about the last few nights... peach moonshine and purple kush

all things in moderation, but drinking and cannabis are fine

maybe... just maybe... vaping or edibles is better than burning

but it's nothing to do with hiv or stribild

lol zach.

im thinking of switching meds. im currently on atripla and things are good. the other day i was not able to take my meds because i ran out and my pharmacy was closed when i discovered this. for the past few years i have always been one bottle ahead so when i went to get my new bottle it was gone. i freaked out a bit and then smoked a bowl (that would have happened regardless). sunday morning i called my pharmacist and they were able to deliver my meds after a little bit of coercion.

so, sunday morning was great. like, i noticed the difference of not being on atripla in the morning. it was a mild difference but noteworthy none the less. and im not trying to get into a debate about how hard life with hiv is and how grateful we should be for meds but it was awesome. i felt more energetic. my brain felt like it was functioning a bit better. like the fog had cleared a bit.

To keep it 100 i usually feel happy and energetic and all that wonderful stuff about 1-2 hours after waking up. sunday it was right after i woke up. So i setup an appt with my dr and i will discuss this with him soon. the thought of having my medication tied to a meal is a bit of an undesirable but ill take that if i can wake up feeling the way i felt sunday more often.

i was so much closer to working out that day

I am still learning as much as i can about stribild and coming here is always a blessing. anything else pop up in anyone's stribild adventures?

[corkguy]

Hey All,

I'm just about 2 months into my stribild regimen and all seems to be going well.

Got Diagnosed in early jan - my first set of figures are below.
Started Stribilf approx 2 months ago (56 days to be exact)
Stats so far
1)09 Jan 2015 CD4 1067 VL 40,000
2)20 Mar 2015 CD4 1086 VL wasn't checked - started stribild
3)20 Apr 2015 CD4 1276 VL 242

All my numbers seem to be going in the right direction. No obvious side effects from stribild, possibly indigestion but that could be down to my diet as well ( been eating bread lately).

Hope you all are having similar positive journeys?

[next2u]

awesome corkguy.

i spoke with a friend recently and they enjoyed the switch. he was on atripla before and had trouble sleeping at night. now that he is on stribild that is no longer an issue. i dont have issues sleeping and atripla has been pretty much an non-issue for me.

i asked him about the meals and pills. he said it had been easy. one day he didnt have a meal with his pill and he said he got really nauseous and ended up throwing up. i was under the impression the food helps increase the medicine's efficacy/potency.

well, i always eat so this shouldnt be an issue. I tend to be a little hungry at night (sometimes munchies, sometimes not ) and i avoid overly caloric food cause it makes me more loopy in the mornings. i take atripla before i go to bed at night and always make sure to stay away from fatty or heavily caloric foods at least an hour before or after taking my medicine. guess the meds and food are tied together one way or another.

i dont know if i would take stribild after dinner or after a light meal later in the evening. i believe the calories required are somewhere in the 400+ caloric meal range.

thanks again and have a wonderful day 

[corkguy]

Hey guys. gals and all in between

Started stribild on 30th march 2015

Disgnosed dec 2014, VL 40,000 CD4 1,006.
My last review was in october VL 42 and CD4 1,406.

Numbers - all good!

I hope everyone is getting on well with their meds and in general!

[corkguy]

Hello Ldas & Lassies,
I hope everyone is doing well on their meds.
My latest results are great, thankfully.
March 07 2016
VL <20
CD4 1577
Happy Days!
Thats all

[Jim Allen]

WOW.

Wish you could share some of the CD4's as you seem to have enough to spare :-)
Excellent stuff.

Jim

[bigsur123]

I started Stribild today a little dizzy and my ears are ringing like tinnitus.I have had it before, years ago has anyone had that.

Yes I have had ringing in 1 ear a few weeks afters starting it.
It's not the worst- more noticeable when I try to go to sleep.
I also have a weird tingling or feeling a a little bug crawling around my ear on the same ear.
Weird.

PS Ear doc doesn't "see anything" and no hearing loss to note. :-(