Q and A

Question

Will switching from Tribuss to Trivenz give me efavirenz side effects again?

My medical aid want to change my ARV supply from Tribuss to Trivenz because it is cheaper.

I was diagnosed a year ago and was put on tribuss ever since. The only problems I had with tribuss was when I took it for the first time, I went through a lot of side effects and I am just afraid that I will have to go through the same experience when changing medications.

Tribuss also brought my life back to normality after a very serious illness that is the reason I do not want to agree with this decision.

I also want to send my thanks from South Africa for all the good advice.

Answer

Hi

Thanks for your question.

Your health team are giving you good advice and there is no risk from switching.

Both Tribuss and Trivenz are generic formulations of Atripla. They contain the same active medicines in the same proportions. They are all equally good at treating HIV and they all have similar side effects.

Switching from one manufacturer to another should not mean you get the initial side effect again.

In the UK, generic ARVs are used if they save the health service money. Approximately 70-80% of all prescriptions in the NHS in the UK are for generic meds.

Thanks also for the nice feedback which is appreciated. We also have an online feedback form.

Hearing how the service works is really important for us.

44 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Zoleka, do you mean trisbuss? I do not recognise tribute as a medication. Do you know what drugs were combined to make the treatment that you were taking before Trisbuss?

    What are the symptoms you are experiencing? and after switching treatment how soon did they start?

  2. Zoleka

    I was using tribute for years with no side effects now I was switched to trenvir and am not doing good at all what must I do must I stop taking tablets or must I continue

  3. Simon Collins

    Hi Nozi, this does not sound like a side effect of HIV meds, so might just be a coincidence. If the pimples are still casueing a problem, please show this to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist for their opinion,

  4. Nozi

    Hi i recently switched from tribuss to trivenz,n m now having sml pimples around both eyeshadow. Which i never had n tribuss, pls advice

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