Question
My ARVs are causing kidney toxicity, are there alternatives?
5 March 2015. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects.
My consultant says my meds are causing kidney damage. I am on Truvada and efavirenz. What are the alternatives?
Answer
Hi,
The kind of problems you describe are closely connected tenofovir. This is because tenofovir is cleared by your kidneys. Along with FTC, tenofovir is one on the two drug in Truvada.
Kidney function is usually measured with a eGFR test. If your eGFR is below 75-80 it is recommended that you change treatment. You can ask your clinic about what your eGFR is.
There are alternatives to Truvada. In UK you would usually be changed to another 2 in 1 pill called Kivexa. Kivexa contains two drugs called abacavir and 3TC. 3TC is very similar to FTC. Importantly abacavir is not cleared by your kidneys. You will be asked to take a screening test before starting on abacavir. This is because about 5% of people get a hypersensitivity reaction.
You can find out more information about Kievxa and Truvada in our drugs guide.
And more information about kidney side effects on our website.
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