Q and A

Question

My new combination gave me folliculistis – what can I do to relieve the symptoms?

I started a new combination a month ago – Etravirine, Maraviroc, Atazanavir and Ritonovir. I’m experiencing folliculitis on my shoulders and the top of my chest and back. The doctor said that it may be due to a sharp rise in CD4 count. I don’t know my CD4 count results, just my viral load is undetectable. What can I do to alleviate these symptoms? Its quite itchy too.

Answer

Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles which is caused by bacteria.  Etravirine is known to have cause some skin problems.  Most rash are more likely to be mild and disappear without treatment. They can also be easily treated with antihistamine drugs, but it is important that you check with your doctor or pharmacist first before taking them, as there can be interaction with HIV drugs.

Your drug combination is slightly unusual.  Can I ask the reasons why you had to change your treatment?  Can you also tell me what was your previous drugs combination that you took?  Knowing these can help us to assess your skin rash problems.

For more information on side effects please take a look at this link below and also please look at ‘Other things that can help’.

2 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    With a CD4 count that dropped to less than 100 off-treatment it is important that you have restarted ARVs. I am sorry you have had such difficulties in the past, but hopefully your new treatment will be easier to tolerate and continue to be effective. That your viral load is already undetectable is an indication this is working well. It is probably more important than your CD4 count. Your CD4 count can take it;s time to increase gradually over the next year without putting you at risk. If your current combination dos cause problems, there are other options you could still use, including integrase inhibitors like raltegravir. I hope everything goes well.

  2. Jim

    I have been off treatment for two years. It was a personal choice. I lost faith in my consultant and clinic. I couldn’t cope with the side effects any longer.
    The last treatment I was on for 5 years was Combivir and Atazanavir/Ritonovir. I had changed from Kaletra due to chronic diarrhoea for the last year I was on that combination. There was a slight improvement with the diarrhoea as a result.
    I was on that combination due to my first combination of Efavirenz, Tenofovir and DDI EC failing in the first 2 months. I became resistant to all three drugs. They weren’t suited to a high viral load. Resistance testing only became mandatory before treatment two months after I started in 2003. So that’s why I went onto Combivir and Kaletra/Ritonovir. I became undetectable within 6 months on that treatment and had a CD4 count of 600-680 eventually. I stopped because I couldn’t cope with treatment any longer. It affected my quality of life too much.

    On re-starting new treatment at a new clinic a month ago, my treatment history including resistance was taken into account. I had a viral load of 178,424 and CD4 count of 89. As previously stated, my new combination is Etravirine, Maraviroc and Atazanavir/Ritonovir all dose adjusted, 8 pills once daily. I got my results back today and I’m undetectable. Unfortunately my CD4 count didn’t come through with these results. I had my bloods taken again today, so hopefully i’ll know my cd4 count in a couple of weeks.

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