Question
Will switching from Tribuss to Trivenz give me efavirenz side effects again?
16 September 2014. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects, South Africa.
My medical aid want to change my ARV supply from Tribuss to Trivenz because it is cheaper.
I was diagnosed a year ago and was put on tribuss ever since. The only problems I had with tribuss was when I took it for the first time, I went through a lot of side effects and I am just afraid that I will have to go through the same experience when changing medications.
Tribuss also brought my life back to normality after a very serious illness that is the reason I do not want to agree with this decision.
I also want to send my thanks from South Africa for all the good advice.
Answer
Hi
Thanks for your question.
Your health team are giving you good advice and there is no risk from switching.
Both Tribuss and Trivenz are generic formulations of Atripla. They contain the same active medicines in the same proportions. They are all equally good at treating HIV and they all have similar side effects.
Switching from one manufacturer to another should not mean you get the initial side effect again.
In the UK, generic ARVs are used if they save the health service money. Approximately 70-80% of all prescriptions in the NHS in the UK are for generic meds.
Thanks also for the nice feedback which is appreciated. We also have an online feedback form.
Hearing how the service works is really important for us.
Hi Sipho,
If you’ve been feeling like this for 3 years my advice would be to talk to your doctor and ask them to change you to another combination. The combination shouldn’t contain efavirenz. Are you able to do this?
Hi, I’ve been on trivenz for the past three years and it makes me light headed at night after medication, also hallucinations, i’ve just got a better job which requires me to work night shift and its a safety critical job, I’m afraid this will affect me in performing my work, is there a way I can stop being light headed and hallucinations
Hi, Are you worried because you’ve been gaining weight? Most modern meds for HIV don’t usually cause weight gain now. But one of the drugs in Trivenz has been linked to weight gain.
You can ask your doctor if changing your HIV meds can help with this. You can read more about weight gain and weight loss in the i-Base guide to quality of life.
Hi I ‘ve been taking trivenz for 5yrs now am worried because of my body changes in way that I can’t even wear short skirt my feet are become very tiny day by day,and my upper body become big am realy worried pliz help me
Hi Mzito, are you currently taking HIV meds (ART) that includes the drug efvirenz? If yes, this might be causing larger breasts. This can sometimes be a side effect and the medical name is gynaecomastia. Please talk to your doctor about this report below and about changing to a different drug.
http://i-base.info/htb/27610
I am on ARV and a male and have developed breast. What could be the cause.
Hi Ike,
The Trivenz shouldn’t be making you feel fatigued, if it is you should discuss this with your doctor as you might need to change meds.
Hi I went to my Dr who said to continue with meds bt gave me antihistamines I’m still waiting for it to clear up luckily it’s not itching , he added vitamin for energy since Trivenz gives you fatigue
Hi Ike, please contact your HIV clinic or doctor today about the rash. This is in case they decide whether you need to change to an alternative HIV drug. Although rare, some rashes can be serious.
Hello I started Trivenz 2weeks ago and I went through all the mentioned side effects but now I have developed a new rash on the face can I take antihistamines or prednisone and apply steroids topical cream. ..very worried now