Q and A

Question

My brother has lactic acidosis, which meds should he be taking?

My brother was on Atripla and developed lactic acidosis. He was started on 3 other meds but the lactic acidosis did not go away. He was told not to exercise any more. He decided since he was going to have it with either treatment he might as well take Atripla since it’s once a day, one pill. Is there any other meds that will help him and not make the lactic acidosis worse?

I’m really worried about my brother. He’s in prison now so I can’t get him to a HIV specialist.

Answer

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry to hear your brother is having such a hard time on treatment.

Lactic acidosis is very serious and is usually (but not always) caused by the older drugs such as d4t, ddI and AZT. Other drugs of the same class (NRTIs) can also be associated with lactic acidosis. Atripla contains 2 NRTIs (FTC and tenofovir).

When someone has lactic acidosis all HIV treatment is generally stopped until the person is feeling better. For more information on lactic acidosis please follow this link.

Restarting NRTIs with careful monitoring has been reported as safe in people who have previously had lactic acidosis, but not using NRTIs that are linked to this side effect (ie not using AZT, d4T or ddI).

Even though your brother is in prison, he should have the right to access the care that he needs. Can you talk to a HIV specialist in close proximity to the prison or talk to the prison governors to ensure he is able to see a HIV specialist doctor at least every 3 months.

Please pass on our best wishes to your brother.

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