Q and A

Question

What is Atroiza used for?

5 July 2016. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, PEP/PEPSE.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Atroiza is a combination pill that contains three HIV drugs. It is a generic version of Atripla.

It is mainly used to treat HIV.

However, in some countries the same drugs (efavirenz/tenofovirDF/emtricitabine) are used as PEP to prevent HIV infection.

This is not recommended in the UK or in other guidelines. which recommend different HIV drugs for PEP. This is because of concerns about efavirenz side effects in HIV negative people.

See: PEP, PEPSE and PrEP.

177 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    Hi Mbalu, treat and suppress are the same things. HIV meds work to reduce viral load – ie suppress the virus. The aim is to suppress the virus to less than 50 copies/mL which is called undetectable. The aim of treatment is to become undetectable.

    Atroiza is now an older type of ARV combination. It uses efavirenz which has more difficult side effects and this is the reason it is now used less odten. Some countries sti;l do use it though.

  2. Mbali •

    I’m trying very hard to understand the use of Atroiza from the answers as given but in vain. 1) Does it treat or suppress? 2) If it suppresses, how does it differ from other ARVs? 3) If it treats why is not used by countries to treat this virus? 4) Whatever it does,why are some countries not using it?

  3. Tionge •

    do you mean it treat HIV or it just add up strongiliness of immune system?

  4. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Tionge, Atroiza treats HIV.

    Atroiza works to suppress HIV. When the viral load is suppressed, HIV is no longer damaging your immune system. Your CD4 count can then naturally recover meaning your immune system is able to ‘boost’ itself.

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Thomas, Atroiza treats HIV which in turn helps you immune system.

    Atroiza works by reducing how active HIV is in the body. It prevents cells replicating that have become HIV positive. This reduces the viral load in the body. When people are on treatment (Atroiza) often they will have an undetectable viral load.

    When the viral load is suppressed, HIV is no longer damaging your immune system. Your body can then naturally recover its CD4 count and recover over time.

    A guide to HIV treatment: https://i-base.info/guides/starting

  6. Thomas •

    Do u mean it treats or it just add up strongiliness of immune system?

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Johanna, did you have a question?