Question
What should I expect from starting Odimune?
30 October 2012. Related: All topics, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I have been positive for 14 years without any complications, nothing.
A few months ago, I had some tingling started around my eyes and then a rash (not severe).
I decided it was time for treatment, visited the doctor, did the necessary tests (CD4 = 247) and (viral load = 12,000 copies).
Treatment regime = Odimune.
I researched this and am scared. Please explains what happens from here on with regards to HIV progression to AIDS, and what does odimune exactly do? Apart from the doc explains?
Answer
Odimune contains three HIV medications – efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. It is a generic version of Atripla. This link has more information about this combination.
This is a very effective treatment combination that is very widely used. It is recommended in many countries including the UK, USA and South Africa for first line treatment.
Although it’s normal to be concerned when starting treatment this is the only way to stay well in the long term. When you start treatment your viral load will go down very quickly. Your CD4 count will increase over time.
Without treatment your body is vulnerable to infections, and eventually to AIDS progression. But by starting treatment your immune system will get stronger. With treatment the life expectancy for people with HIV is about the same as for HIV negative people.
For more information about starting treatment please see our Introduction to combination therapy guide.
Hi Nkosinathi, did these side effects start from day 3? or have you had them longer? As you are experiencing a high temperature you should contact your doctor. It is possible that this is a side effect and if so it needs to be managed suitably.
Hi it’s only three day taking Odimmune I have these painful side effects 1 high temperatures even the next day, loss of appetite please help
Hi Zukiswa, I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing these symptoms. Have you spoken to a doctor about them?
You are right in what you have been told. Odimune and Trisbuss are the same medication. The difference is that they have been made by a different company but they contain the same medication. Did your symptoms start as soon as you started Odimune instead of Trisbuss?
I’m using Odimmune and it’s about a year I’ve been using Tribuss for 12 years now recently I noticed that I have heartburn after taking this medication also my body heats about 30 mins before it cools down.What I’m told about this Odimmune it’s equivalent to the Tribuss but I didn’t feel this heartburn with Tribuss
Hi Tsakani, unfortunately nightmares are a side effect of Odimune but there are things to do to help prevent this.
Odimune should not be taken with high fat foods. The fat increases how much Odimune (particularly efavirenz) is absorbed by the body. This higher level of drug increases the level at which side effects are experienced.
As you are only 3 days in to taking Odimune, side effects are often worst in this period. This is because the body is adjusting to the medication and requires time to settle in the body.
If the side effects continue or get worse it is important to speak to a doctor. There may be other options you can do to alleviate the side effects or a different combination of medication may be available to you.
Hi I started to use odimune for 3day I’m not okay at all I started to have nightmares.dreaming dead people some are dead long time ago some are my family may u pls help I can’t sleep at night
Hi Lungile, I am sorry to hear you are experiencing these side effects. What time of the day are you taking Odimune? Often it is recommended to take Odimune in the evening to sleep through the side effects. Also it is common to experience heavier side effects in the first few weeks as your body adjusts. If your side effects do not lessen or are impacting on daily living this should be discussed with your doctor.
Hi its been three weeks now taking odimune but the thing is I can’t sleep at all I feel tired and I’m not developing a genital wart is the mess please help
Hi Pat,
If you’re feeling like this you may need to change to another combination. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor again.
Im using odimune for 3 weeks now and I m experiencing high body temperature for 2 weeks within the 3 weeks of starting treatment. I spoke to my dr about it, he gave me some medication for fever. I competed it but my body still feeling hot mostly at night after talking a pill. Is it odimune the cause of this unbearable condition