Symtuza side effects

[welive]

Hello, anyone on symtuza with a good experience regarding side effects? I’ve switch from tivicay and descovy which is a great combination but I was gaining to much weight around my stomach area since I’ve been on this regimen. I decided to switch to symtuza a week ago and the side effects are making me feel as I made the wrong decision. I have been experiencing muscle aches in my back and joints of my legs , I feel tired every morning ,feeling foggy with headaches. I am not sure if it’s to soon to tell my doctor about these bothering side effects or it’s to soon?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Look if you are having problems always let your doctor know I would say, hopefully, it does settle down considering it's the first week. Presume you are taking it with food and drinking plenty?

Best, Jim

[welive]

Hi Jim, I am taking it with food and drinking plenty of water and fluids. I’ll try to hang in there another week before I mention it to my doctor. Thank you for your prompt reply.

[gorka]

I believe latest news suggests that TAF is even worse for weigh gain than TDF so the siwtch may not be better even thoug you are getting rid of DTG

[Jim Allen]

@gorka.

"I believe the latest news suggested that was a really lazy post"

[gorka]

ok fair enough there seems to be number of studies already so simply google search would do http://www.natap.org/2018/HIV/010519_01.htm

https://www.aidsmap.com/news/nov-2019/advance-study-shows-high-frequency-major-weight-gain-women-receiving-dolutegravir-taf

[Jim Allen]

That's fair enough, it's really important to include references on these things. This isn't Facebook or Twitter etc and I think we understand each other.

Like all drugs, some people may experience some side effects.
Now the OP is on TAF switching to a combo that contains TAF, no difference in that respect. So I'm unsure what the relevance was of your TDF comment in this situation and why the switch the OP made may not be better considering DTG is being dropped?

Should DTG be partly the cause in the OP's situation an improvement might be seen and if not the OP can work that out with their doctor.  I say partly BTW as there are plenty of possible co-factors in weight gain.

Best, Jim


TDF vs TAF
https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/taf-versus-tdf-difference

TDF and TAF are both very effective for HIV and hepatitis B treatment as well as for PrEP. TAF and its coformulations are less likely to cause unfavorable changes in kidney and bone biomarkers, but serious kidney problems and bone loss are uncommon with either drug. TDF has the edge over TAF when it comes to blood fat levels and weight gain. TAF may be a better option for those at risk for kidney or bone problems, but both are safe options for most people.

Integrase Inhibitors May Be Tied to Weight Gain
https://www.poz.com/article/integrase-inhibitors-may-tied-weight-gain#search-query=weight%20gain

Weight Gain and Immune Activation May Be Linked in People With HIV
https://www.poz.com/article/weight-gain-immune-activation-may-linked-people-hiv#search-query=weight%20gain

HIV makes you fat
https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=69386.msg

https://www.poz.com/article/hiv-may-lead-big-belly

HIV May Lead to a Big Belly
A recent study found that the virus was associated with abdominal obesity as well as high triglycerides and low LDL cholesterol.

https://www.poz.com/article/starting-hiv-treatment-women-gain-weight-men

https://www.poz.com/article/weight-gain-immune-activation-may-linked-people-hiv

https://www.poz.com/article/normal-weight-gain-switch-integrase-inhibitors

https://www.poz.com/article/integrase-inhibitors-may-tied-weight-gain

https://www.poz.com/article/switching-new-version-antiretroviral-tenofovir-may-lead-weight-gain

https://www.aidsmap.com/news/mar-2015/does-hiv-make-you-fat-study-connects-viral-load-fat-gains