Question
What happens if I take Atripla less often?
29 September 2016. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Clinical trials, Research.
I read that if I take Atripla 3 days a week instead of daily it won’t effect my viral load?
Answer
Hi,
You might be referring to a couple of recent studies.
A Spanish study which randomised 61 people to either reducing Atripla dosing to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or to continue daily treatment.
This was a small pilot with 61 participants who had had undetectable viral load for more than two years. The 30 people that switched to three time a week dosing all kept viral load undetectable for two years. This is an interesting finding and will hopefully be investigated further. You can read more about the study here.
A second study, this time in France, reported taking treatment for only four consecutive days each week (ie Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday. Again this in people who had undetectable viral load for several years. This study was in 100 people, most of who were using Atripla.
This study is report here.
Both studies are very small and larger studies are needed before this can be recommended.
If you have questions about changing treatment, it’s always best to discuss this with your doctor first.
Comment