Question
New back pain after starting PEP…
24 February 2023. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I started taking PEP a few days ago. I started having lower back aches out of no where is that normal for taking PEP?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Do you know the name of the PEP you are taking?
PEP does not cause back pain. Have you noticed anything else that could have caused this? Have you been straining your back recently? or do you have any other symptoms you have noticed?
If this continues you should speak with your doctor. It is important to address back pain.
Josh.
Hi Nthatie, please speak to your doctor about the back pain you are experiencing. PEP does not cause back pain which means there will be another reason for why you are experiencing this.
As mentioned, back pain can be stress related. Saying that the pain came on after a run could suggest that it is a musculoskeletal problem. Either way this can be addressed by your doctor.
I have also been experiencing the sudden lower back pain. I’m also on PEP medication and left with 7 days before completing the 30 day course. First I thought it was a physiological response to stress as the pain occured during my work presentation. but then it occurred after I took a run yesterday. I’m a worried.
Hi Linda, what is the name of the PEP you are taking? and when did the symptoms start after starting treatment?
I had the same problem too when starting pep medication ,back pain, chest pain ,but once I stop eating the drug the pain stops. Maybe it a new side effect I’m not sure, this happened again the second time I take pep medication
Hi Al, since you have stopped Tivicay has the pain changed/disappeared at all? Sciatica is a very common problem for people. This link provides information about sciatica: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/
Long term complications from PEP are very rare. This is because the course is only for a limited time, usually 28 days. Drugs used in PEP are the same as those that actively treat HIV. For this reason there is awareness about long term complications of remaining on these medications for a long time but 30 days is not a significant amount of time for these symptoms to occur.
I had similar problem I was on truvada and Tivicay 28 days. I noticed that after that I started getting a bad lower back pain. It turned out to be my sciatic nerve maybe caused by inflammation don’t know if tivicay, or trucada can cause this. But it seems like it does. My ankle also started hurting suddenly recently. More people need to come out with the long term effects of using pep are to se if it’s really coincidence or does it really cause problems after finishing the regimen!