Anyone taking a PI

[frankva]

I started on tivakay and descovy. I had 0 problems with descovy, but get 6 hr severe headaches from tikavay. Do all integrase inhibitors cause headaches or dizziness? I took crixivan for years and never had any problems with it. Are the newer protease inhibitors with booster headache free? I'm thinking all integrase and nrtis affect the vascular and cause headaches or dizziness.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya.

Sorry to hear about the headaches.

Tivicay DTG can trigger this in some people, that does not mean that you would have issues with all integrase inhibitors and not all integrase inhibitors are known for having this issue at the same levels of DTG.

All I can say is to work with your doctor, if you can't manage the issue and if they feel it's DTG related then switch. 

Best, Jim.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30899113/

https://www.poz.com/article/rate-tivicays-central-nervous-system-side-effects-greater-trials

[frankva]

Thanks. It's definitely the tivikay. I was taking descovy before and no problems.

[frankva]

I took crixivan for 20 years, great numbers and no side effects. I have tried sustiva NRTI and tivakay, integrase. Both terrible. Is anyone here still taking a PI and which is easiest as to no side effects.

[Tonny2]

            ojo.          Hi there!!!, I’ve taken lots of PIs, never problems...right now I am taking darunavir/norvir (for 13 years) no headaches...talk to you doc and remember that everybody react different to the meds...I hope you find a solution to your problems... please keep us posted

[frankva]

Thank you Tonny2. That gives me some some needed objective feedback. Drug labels are about worthless. the no headache or dizziness part is what I need. May I ask you one more question. How do you compare the darunavir to the other PI,s? Any differences. I am sort of perturbed/angry that Merck pulled the plug on Crixivan because I've been undetectable for 20 years , no side effects and 1400cd4count .

[frankva]

Started the darunavir/cobistat and find it very easy to take, no real side effects at all. I know the docs push the biktarvy, but my experience is that the pis are far easier than integrase inhibitors.

[Salimalama]

Frank thanks for your post. I also have been taking Crixivan for over 20 years with never any issues and always great counts. I was shocked to learn when I needed my refill in January 2021 that I could no longer get it. My doctor has switched me to Dovato and so far other than a rash that won't go away I have tolerated it fairly well. Just crazy that i was forced to change something that was working well for so long.

[frankva]

Merck had a patent on Crixivan from 1996 until Feb 21. When it expired, they chose not to make generic version, which would have been far cheaper for patients. Good ole Pharma. Doubtful that another will pick it up because of regimen, but it sure worked great for me. Undet and high cd4 count for ages.

[frankva]

I forgot to add that prezcobix is giving me some diarrhea, which I never had with Crixivan. Hope it will go away.

[nethan1621]

I started on tivakay and descovy. I had 0 problems with descovy, but get 6 hr severe headaches from tikavay. Do all integrase inhibitors cause headaches or dizziness? I took crixivan for years and never had any problems with it. Are the newer protease inhibitors with booster headache free? I'm thinking all integrase and nrtis affect the vascular and cause headaches or dizziness.

I am taking  3 in 1 magic pill included DTG , no kind of side effects related to headache