Question
Why do I suffer from upset stomach after taking PEP?
18 April 2012. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.
I was exposed to HIV in March 2012 after vaginal sex without a condom. I am now on PEP. I tested negative twice, last test ELISA 4th generation in early April 2012. I still have no symptoms of but have an upset stomach for the last three weeks. Could this be HIV?
Answer
PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is the term for using HIV drugs after a potential exposure to reduce the risk of HIV infection. PEP usually involves taking a combination of three HIV drugs for 28 days. Very early use of HIV drugs may stop HIV establishing infection.
Because PEP involves taking HIV medicine, this can also cause side effects including upset stomach. However, as with any symptom this is something you should tell your doctor about.
For more information on PEP, please take a look at this link.
Hi Mitchel, please see this previous question: https://i-base.info/qa/19062
I’m 47 yrs old. I was on pep for 27days. 3 weeks after I’m still experiencing a lot of abdominal cramps, bloated,Lots of pain around my waist line, possibly kidney pain, muscle aches, my flank. I’m very concerned about my kidney. Is being on pep for 27days enough to damage my kidney?
Hi Ravi, please see here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hi sir,
Can u give the number of mr Paul above conversion that I pest below
Paul • 4 February 2019
Hello
On the 26th December I had sex with a sex worker, I wore two condoms did not notice any damage. The condom did not cover the entire shaft but I had no cuts or sores, we had sex for less than two minutes. I assuming she has hiv, 17 hours after this I went to a clinic and was put on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg with lamivudine 300 mg. I took the first tablet 23 hours after the exposure, did not experience any major side effects except for a mild rash and a muscle pain to my right foot. On the 23rd day i noticed that my circumvallate papillae had become enlarged, on the the 26th day my stomach was giving problems and the next day I noticed a canker sore on the upper right side on my mouth next to my teeth. I was told that these were side effects so i was like okay, I finished my medication 10 days ago and my canker sore is disappearing but circumvallate papillae is still enlarged and stomach still is upset and developed a headache and some muscle pain in both my feet. I want to go for testing in 4 days which will be the 6th week since the incident, I wanted to know if the medication has failed and what in your opinion will my test be positive cause I think that I am seroconversion
Hi Jospeh, what is the name of the PEP you are taking? If it is TLD it does not matter when you eat. Treatment will work just as well before or after eating.
This is Joseph, i wanted to know that i my support to take pep medication after i have eaten food or before