Is anyone on PrEP? Any side effects?
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The most common Side Effect is is nausea and diarrhea. Most symptoms resolve within one to two months. To avoid symptoms, take before bed (if you are asleep... how do you know you had nausea?) or on a full stomach like the cherry on top of the ice cream at the end of a large meal.
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On a Truvada generic for 4 months now, had some nausea the first week I took it but nothing after that. Got all my guts checked out at 3 months and everything was normal.
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I am not having sex that often, so have been on PrEP 2-1-1 and only take truvada as required. It minimizes how much I use which greatly minimizes any possible side effects.
The type of “on-demand” PrEP that has been studied is the “2-1-1” schedule. This means taking 2 pills 2-24 hours before sex, 1 pill 24 hours after the first dose, and 1 pill 24 hours after the second dose.
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/on-demand-prep.html
Oh, if you have a weekend visitor
it is 2 to get to base level and 1 each day having sex and for the next 2 days, not 2 each day you get fucked. -
While there IS some evidence that the 2-1-1 dosing of PrEP can work, it has not been studied well...
On the cited CDC page, it states clearly: "This type of use is not currently part of CDC’s guidelines for PrEP use, which still recommends using PrEP as prescribed for those at risk for HIV. Taking PrEP as prescribed is currently the only FDA-approved schedule for taking PrEP to prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV."
That said, my perspective about PrEP is that it's use allows the individual to TAKE CHARGE of THEIR OWN sexual health! Rather than "trusting" the partner to accurately report their own HIV status and/or maintain constant and proper condom use, the person who chooses PrEP asserts a level of control previously unavailable.
If YOU are comfortable with the 2-1-1 regimen for PrEP, then that's your decision! Good for you for at least taking control! Unlike COVID-19 masks and vaccines, the only person you're "protecting" with PrEP is yourself!
In reference to the original question: I've been on PrEP since 2015 - over 95% compliant (never missed more than 1 single day, but have from time to time lost a day in the shuffle of day-to-day life!)... and I have had no noticeable side effects.
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@bi4smooth The CDC report, which tries to be the most stringent source, also states "Some health departments in the United States and some health organizations in Europe and Canada are offering guidance for “on-demand” PrEP as an alternative to daily PrEP for gay and bisexual men at risk for HIV."
Sometimes it is simple math. I'm older and have sex very occasionally. I wouldn't go on PrEP if it meant taking 365 pills a year instead of the 40 I use for the 10 weekends I may have sex. That amount of chemicals being ingested unnecessarily seems to be even riskier than depending on just condoms.
Obviously everyone's mileage may vary. I'm looking at almost a 90% reduction of chemicals in my body. Someone having sex every week or several times a month, will have significantly less benefit to going "on demand".
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@mrker1234 said in Is anyone on PrEP? Any side effects?:
@bi4smooth The CDC report, which tries to be the most stringent source, also states "Some health departments in the United States and some health organizations in Europe and Canada are offering guidance for “on-demand” PrEP as an alternative to daily PrEP for gay and bisexual men at risk for HIV."
Sometimes it is simple math. I'm older and have sex very occasionally. I wouldn't go on PrEP if it meant taking 365 pills a year instead of the 40 I use for the 10 weekends I may have sex. That amount of chemicals being ingested unnecessarily seems to be even riskier than depending on just condoms.
Obviously everyone's mileage may vary. I'm looking at almost a 90% reduction of chemicals in my body. Someone having sex every week or several times a month, will have significantly less benefit to going "on demand".
Please don't take my comments wrongly: PrEP - no matter how you take it - is doing something to protect one's self, and I APPLAUD that! It's wonderful that we have options, and the science is continuing!
I agree that the CDC often takes an overly cautious tone - but it's the opinions of the FDA that matter here: they control the ability of physicians to prescribe the medications. (Two very separate federal agencies, with different goals, methods, and agendas!)
I choose to continue to take my PrEP daily - even though I've been in a monogamous relationship for a little over 2-years now. It's not that I don't trust my partner, it's that I'm unwilling to risk HIV - either with him or anyone else - period! I'm 58... and I presume I'll take daily PrEP until my dick falls off and my ass closes up!
(Always the optimist!) -
I'm not on Prep but I always use condoms when I have sex & if it's oral, I stay with 1 person I could trust.
My good friend is on PrEP & he did mention gastric mild concerns, as one member here discussed.
Hope this helps!
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@BananaWax Hi, so you mean your truvada side effects never went away for those 4 months of taking it? Also, do you need to get kidney function checked regularly with descovy?
thank you so much
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I've used PreP since 2015 and I'm fine with no side effects whatsoever.
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M MrMazda moved this topic from Health & Fitness on
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I was on it as a post infection treatment and I unfortunately learned the hard way about one of the common side effect. Over long term use, it can do irreversible damage to your GI system. As I often put it, it broke my pooper. Even now, many years after not having taken it anymore, and I still have issues with frequent diarrhea. Granted, my issues now are no longer to the extent that they were, and are also no longer at a point of sudden incontinence, but I pay the price to this very day for that decision. That said though, GI system aside, it kept me alive and otherwise healthy for many years, and considering some of the side effects of some of the alternative treatment options at the time, a broken pooper is but a small price to pay.
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