Q and A

Question

What is Atroiza used for?

Answer

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. welcom

    Can I use Atroiza b4 72 after sleeping with someone who’s HIV positive. It was prescribed by the doctor.

  2. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Noah,

    If your partner is using ARVs and their viral load is undetectable, there’s no risk. Please see here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ Therefore, you don’t need to use PrEP.
    Info on PrEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/guides/prep

  3. Noah

    prep is a medication that can prevent AIDS for long time or it is just for time being. can I sleep with the HIV positive partner for the rest of my life without using a condom but using PREP everyday?

  4. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Ntokozo,

    If you’re both negative, why do you need to use PrEP? If you want to use PrEP, then no Atrozia isn’t PrEP- please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/prep

  5. Ntokozo

    Hi my partner and I we’ve been dating for 2 yrs now and we did HIV test 3 times and both our results came back negative so we decided to take PREP as we wanna stop using a condom and the doctor gave us Atroiza.my question is, is this the right PREP we were given cos as I’m reading other comments it seems as if the Atroiza is the treatment for HIV but not the prevention. Please clarify as I’m confused

  6. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Sboniso,

    Atrozia and Trivens are both generic versions of Atripla, what this means is that they contain the same compounds. It’s common to switch between the generic versions. When a person changes there shouldn’t be any side effects. If your arm and leg are feeling strange, the best thing to do is to talk to a healthcare professional.

  7. Sboniso

    I started using atrozia two days are go and i woke up feeling my right leg and my arm so heavy is it normal hence i was using trivens when i was on medical aid.

  8. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Nontobeko,

    If you’re feeling like this after 2 months you need to talk to your doctor. If it’s possible ask your doctor to put you on a regime that doesn’t contain efavirenz.

  9. Nontobeko

    I am taking atroiza but I can’t seem to sleep for less than 8 hours before the dizziness wears off and it’s been two months of taking the medication. Does this fade or will I always have to deal with waking up late?

  10. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Jeff,

    Atrozia and Trenvir are both generic versions of Atripla, please see here: https://i-base.info/guides/1561 Yes you can change, it is however the same combination.