Question
Why have I been given Tribuss – is this an ARV?
5 February 2018. Related: All topics, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I started taking Tribuss about two weeks ago.
I’d like to know what are the side effects of this medication and what is the difference between them and ARVs.
I was shocked when my doctor prescribed me with Tribuss instead of ARVs which I’m familiar with when people are HIV+?
Answer
Hello,
Thanks for your email. How are you doing?
Tribuss is a pill that contains three HIV drugs (ARVs) – efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir DF.
It is one of the generic versions of the brand-name drug Atripla. For a picture of Tribuss see this link.
So your doctor has prescribed you ARVs, and this pill is very effective at treating HIV.
Side effects mainly related to the efavirenz. These include mood changes, sleep problems, vivid dreams (sometimes nightmares). Luckily, for most people, these usually get easier within the first few weeks. If not though, please talk to your doctor about different choices.
This link has more information about efavirenz side effects and how to manage them.
You guide is an Introduction to ART.
Because you are in South Africa, the Treatment Action Campaign may also have more information about treatment and support in SA.
Note: This answer was updated in February 2018 from a question first posted online in October 2013.
My doctor gave me Tribuss pills two months ago but I’m not HIV positive
Hi,
It sounds like you’re talking about generic versions of Atripla, if this is the case, then yes it’s OK to change.
Sometimes Am Given D171 or D100 Is This Okay Or That is Just Number Appear on a pills …?
Hi Mamane,
It’s important to see your doctor if your breast is swollen and there’s a hard lump. Please ask for an examination and have it checked out by your doctor.
However, some HIV drugs including those in Tribuss can cause fat gain in breasts for both men and women. But switching from efavirenz, which is one of the drugs in Tribuss, can reduce breast lumps in men.
There’s much more info at this page from the guide to HIV and your quality of life.
Hi my Doctor prescribed Tribuss, but ever since I have taken it my breast became big and swollen and has a hard lump inside.
I’m so worried wht should i do
Hi Loveness,
What were you taking before you were given Tribuss?
Hi
Am HIV positive for a year now.
So my doctor gave me a different bottle of pills (Atribuss) and the number on the pill is D100..what does it mean?
Hi Stephanie,
It sounds like a good idea to complete the treatment. However, feeling dizzy is a reported side effect of Tribuss. So it’s recommended to take it before bedtime and on a fairly empty stomach. That’s because any side effects can happen when you’re asleep.
Please see info about PEP at this link.
Hi i went to the doctor last month to ask if there is something i can get to protect my self …because the condom blusted and he gave Tribuss and it got me dizzy feeling like im stressed i couldn’t go to work or to drive and now i didn’t take them for 2days bt now im ok …….eix now i wanna complite the treatment but im scared because i missed todays
Hi Lizo,
Please see this similar Q&A. It says here, the earlier PEP is started, the more likely it could work. Ideally, this should be within a couple of hours. If this is not possible, then still the earlier the better.
But there’s more info on the link above.