FORUMS > HIV/AIDS Forum Rules

is this something that you would try? anyone know of the most prevalent side effects of Truvada?

Somebody posted them before and I don't know them off the top of my head, but they didn't seem all that life threatening

research apparently shows truvada could decrease HIV infection rate significantly. not sure why this idea hasn't surfaced earlier.

It's still a relatively new concept. It's still being reviewed. There are always side effects to these types of drugs. Some people will have them. Some people won't. It still may not be as effective as using protection. It will probably be more useful for people in relationships where one of the partners is already positive. I'm not sure this is going to be a good method for reducing transmission in the general population.

I use Truvada in part of my regimen to combat my HIV.

I can't tell any side effects at this point. My cholesterol went spiked up in the last four months from one hundred and sixty to 205 but that is more than likely related to my cessation of testosterone replacement therapy. Lack of adequate testosterone levels and high LDL cholesterol levels have a possible link.

I should know after I get my next blood draw but if it turns out that my cholesterol levels stay elevated even after returning to hormone replacement therapy then I might have to conclude that Truvada or one of my HIV meds is the cause for the LDL elevation.

I've only been on meds for about three years so not sure if all of the sudden my cholesterol would shoot up nearly fifty points.

MuchMoreThanMuscle saidI use Truvada in part of my regimen to combat my HIV.

I can't tell any side effects at this point. My cholesterol went spiked up in the last four months from one hundred and sixty to 205 but that is more than likely related to my cessation of testosterone replacement therapy. Lack of adequate testosterone levels and high LDL cholesterol levels have a possible link.

I should know after I get my next blood draw but if it turns out that my cholesterol levels stay elevated even after returning to hormone replacement therapy then I might have to conclude that Truvada or one of my HIV meds is the cause for the LDL elevation.

I've only been on meds for about three years so not sure if all of the sudden my cholesterol would shoot up nearly fifty points.

Thanks for sharing that...I suppose if it does have something to do w/ the rise in LDL, it may be b/c of its effects on the liver....I'll be interested in finding out whether the testosterone cessation vs HIV meds caused it. Either way, I hope it goes back to within the normal limits

Thanks, I'll know in another two months.

hellurs saidresearch apparently shows truvada could decrease HIV infection rate significantly. not sure why this idea hasn't surfaced earlier.

As far as I know, the idea of using FDA-approved anti-retroviral drugs as a preventative measure isn't new. It's just that Truvada is the first drug tested to show any significantly reduced rate of HIV infection. (Or a rate that the FDA deems significant.)

Also keep in mind, the reduced infection rates reported from the Truvada studies are when the drug is taken daily in conjunction with counseling and consistent condom use...which any self-respecting sexually active gay man should be practicing anyway.

As for whether or not I'd try it...depends on how sexually active I am and how much it costs.

in Australia PEP treatment has been free for years but not as for ongoing prevention but for times when a person thinks he or she has been exposed to HIV --treatment needs to be within 72 hours of suspected exposure and medication taken for one month only

prevention better than cure - and reduce risk through safe practice

I take Truvada, along with Reyataz and Norvir. I have had absolutely no side affects with all three of the medications

The side effects were posted in the below forum

http://www.realjock.com/gayforums/2355676/

No. Never. Long-term PrEP is a pretty silly idea. Those drugs are super toxic, and if you're not sick it seems kind of unnecessary (dumb) to be playing around with that stuff.

I've been on a PEP course before and it was by far the worst experience I've ever had. By the second day of taking the pills the sexual aid clinic gave me I had the most unimaginable nausea that I couldn't go through with the whole treatment (forced myself to last 3 days) and luckily wasn't exposed. Don't know which one I took but I never want to feel that way again, it was torture.

Unfortunately, two years later I wasn't so lucky.

I believe PrEP to be extremely valuable to those individuals more at risk as a means of precaution. Those more at risk being (with some room for argument):

Sex workers
Unprotected receptive partners
Drug users
Sero-discordant partners of HIV positive people

Side effects from any drug can be bad for the first month, but short-term effects versus a life-time (for now) of medication...easy trade off for me...

- David