Question
Do i need to keep taking Septrin?
18 December 2015. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Complications and coinfections, Starting treatment.
I started HIV treatment 3 months ago. I am also taking septrin. Do i need to keep taking that?
Answer
Hi,
Septrin is often given to people a as prophylaxis. This means it is used top prevent other infections. It is often given to people who have HIV.
People are often given it if their CD4 count is lower, under about 200. The Septrin helps your immune system fight off infections and the illnesses.
If you do not know why you are taking the Septrin and you CD4 count is high you should ask your doctor or clinic. They will be able to let you know if you need to carry on taking it.
Hi Lily, it is great that you want to start taking your treatment again. Have you had any recent CD4 count/viral load tests? Do you want to go back onto the same treatment you were on?
As you had been on this medication previously, it is recommended to have a viral load test a few weeks after restarting. This is to check that your treatment is still working. Will you be going back to the same clinic?
Hi
I have been off my drugs for about a year now, because after 10years of taking them I became depressed and tired and decided not to take them at all this year.
I have not been sick or had any complications so I want to know if it’s ok to just continue taking them, or do I have to run some test before I can go back to taking them
Hi Mariam, do you mean your viral load or CD4 count? While on treatment it is a good thing to have a low viral load. It means your treatment is working and HIV is being suppressed.
Hello, why is t that my viral load is low yet I take my medicine very well
Hi Winnie, have you spoken to a doctor about getting headaches when you take Septrin? Only a few HIV ARVs have been linked to liver problems (Nevirapine, Ritonavir, Tipranavir, Efavirenz). Most drugs do have the potential for liver toxicity but this is rare. More information can be found out on out guide for liver-related side effects.
I take arvs without septrin because every time i take septrin it gives me headaches, and can arvs course liver disease?!
Hi Lucy,
Septrin isn’t an ARV, it’s an antibiotic, it won’t do anything for your HIV.
You’ve said you’ve not taken any meds for 7 days, when will you be back home? Depending on where it is that you live, you might be able to get some meds emergency meds.
Is your viral load undetectable?
Have stayed one week without taking drugs,can I use only septrin,coz am far from hospital
Hi polycarp,
Septrin is an antibiotic and only needs to be taken if someone has a CD4 count of less than 350. (In the UK it’s only taken until a persons CD4 gets above 200) Once a person has a CD4 count higher than 350 it’s no longer needed as the chances of someone developing opportunistic infections are less.
why are patients on ARVs in kenya now told to take them without septrin yet they have done so for years more than 10years.