The true side effects of Prep

[Littlebill77]

Any experiences people want to share moving from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (truvada and similar) to 

emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafen (Descovy)

 

 

[Alias]

3 hours ago, Littlebill77 said:

Any experiences people want to share moving from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (truvada and similar) to 

emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafen (Descovy)

 

 

I did not notice any real differences. My old physician had already recommended Truvada every other day before my new provider switched me to Descovy. I had some mild GI issues with both, but all of that disappeared entirely with apretude. My only complaint with the latter (apart from my aversion to needles that has undoubtedly saved my ass over the years) is that the testing regimen is every two months instead of three, along with a heavy blood draw. But if needles don’t unnerve you then I don’t much see the downside. 

[shyvers]

Descovy keeps my cholesterol high compared to Truvada which didn’t 

[Baralvr26]

For a yr I was on prep and I had tension headaches happening for months while on descovy. I was told there were risks to my kidney and liver health and that's why they had to test my blood an urine. The doctors I had advised me to drink more water, avoid dehydration that could stress the kidneys, eat a bit healthier to improve overall health and reduce the amount of stress to my body.

[RubberAustria]

On 9/1/2024 at 6:06 AM, BootmanLA said:

Or go to the "on demand" dosing for PrEP: two tablets taken between 2 and 12 hours prior to sex, one tablet 24 hours after sex, and another 24 hours after that.

Using it that infrequently should cause fewer side effects or at least lower-level ones. 

I for my part can only say that „on demand“ was worse than regular usage. I was not hungry at all, sometimes nearly had to vomit, felt kind of sick. As a regular user I have no side effects. By the way- same situation for ex-husband. At least that we had in common.