Descovy side effects

[pubic_assistance]

3 hours ago, Unicorn said:

Telling people what they want to hear is always a good business model. 

I couldn't agree more.

This is exactly what the pharmaceutical industry is doing with PreP.

Pretending the side effects aren't important while promoting the sales of their product to people who love that feeling of bareback sex so much they will believe anything.

There is another whole industry, in the legal profession, based on suing them for damages when you're liver goes to hell.

Edited September 22, 2022 by pubic_assistance

[Guest]

8 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

...Pretending the side effects aren't important...

Every decision we make involves an assessment (educated or not) regarding risks and benefits. You could get killed or maimed just driving to the grocery store, but most people take the drive. Obviously, not everyone should be on PrEP. I don't take PrEP because I don't bottom. However, the risks of PrEP are quite minute, and for an eager bottom to refuse PrEP is foolish. And anyone who doesn't understand that most decisions in life involve risk/benefit assessments is also a fool. 

[+ robear]

16 hours ago, Unicorn said:

Eeek! On many levels! Doesn't your NP attend continuing medical education classes? And what kind of insurance company doesn't require a prior authorization to be requested for an extraordinarily expensive medication like Descovy when there's an equally effective medication available for some 30 times less? 

For the record, my (big company-provided, commercial) health insurance covers both (generic) Truvada and (brand-name) Descovy 100% in formulary with no out of pocket, no special authorization needed.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, robear said:

For the record, my (big company-provided, commercial) health insurance covers both (generic) Truvada and (brand-name) Descovy 100% in formulary with no out of pocket, no special authorization needed.

Holy Mackerel! I can't imagine what the monthly premiums must be for a company which doesn't care whether you take an equally effective medication for $40 a month versus one which costs thousands per month. Well, you're pretty lucky to have a Rolls Royce policy. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

43 minutes ago, Unicorn said:

Holy Mackerel! I can't imagine what the monthly premiums must be for a company which doesn't care whether you take an equally effective medication for $40 a month versus one which costs thousands per month. Well, you're pretty lucky to have a Rolls Royce policy. 

About a decade ago I was taking Truvada.  At that time, my insurance plan was set up where they'd pay the first $1K each year, then I pay the next $1K, then after that they pay 90%, I pay 10%.  Let me tell you, Truvada was not $40.  I hit my $1K bridge in February/March of each year, and paid $1K out of pocket within 2 months.  Even with that high price, I was happy to pay it considering what a miracle drug it is.

I have a different insurance plan now. 

When I switched to Descovy at the recommendation of my doctor (internal medicine, HIV specialist in my state), my insurance plan wouldn't initially approve the change at first.  After filing out a form and showing that I was already taking the "cheaper" Truvada but was recommended by my doctor to switch, they eventually approved.  I think there was also a lawsuit going on at the time by HIV patient advocates and the ruling forced insurance companies to cover Descovy.

I now pay $0 out of pocket for Descovy.  I think my insurance premiums are around $750/month, which are paid by my employer.

Edited September 23, 2022 by Vegas_nw1982

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 9/23/2022 at 4:37 AM, robear said:

For the record, my (big company-provided, commercial) health insurance covers both (generic) Truvada and (brand-name) Descovy 100% in formulary with no out of pocket, no special authorization needed.

Truvada is not genetic.  It may be more popular than Descovy because it has been in existence longer and spends a lot on advertising, but it is not generic.  Truvada is also a high price brand name.

[+ robear]

11 hours ago, Vegas_nw1982 said:

Truvada is not genetic.  It may be more popular than Descovy because it has been in existence longer and spends a lot on advertising, but it is not generic.  Truvada is also a high price brand name.

Emtricitabine/tenofovir (generic Truvada) absolutely is available in the US, from US pharmacies, and has been for a few years.  First FDA approvals were ~2017, although commercial availability was later. If my Dr prescribes it, my pharmacy manager fills it with the generic by default. GoodRx shows a number of retailers offering it for ~$30/month

https://www.goodrx.com/emtricitabine-tenofovir

[Pittlookalike]

Such spirited discussion.  I’ve now been on descovy for one week. I definitely felt many side effects the first day per my original post. Since then I’ve felt fine.  Just wanted to share my experience.  

[+ sniper]

On 9/21/2022 at 3:43 PM, pubic_assistance said:

When I asked MY doctor about anti-HIV medications his response is: "wear a condom".

Lots of side effects and long range damage to my liver - or - forego bareback sex ?

I will stick with the condom.

If you're not having sex with men that often you could use the 2-1-1- dosing option, and presumably much lower risk of long term damage. That's my plan as someone whose dance card is not terribly full. 

[pubic_assistance]

4 hours ago, sniper said:

If you're not having sex with men that often you could use the 2-1-1- dosing option, and presumably much lower risk of long term damage. That's my plan as someone whose dance card is not terribly full. 

I am perfectly content with condoms.

Which my doctor recommends.

[+ sniper]

I wasnt saying don't use a condom also.