Question
Will Tribuss always make me dizzy?
16 November 2016. Related: CD4 and viral load, Side effects, Starting treatment.
I’m 18 years and been diagnosed with HiV on August with a very high CD4 count.(above 600) I remember it was 901. I started with my treatment (Tribuss) on the 8th of November and when I woke up the next day I was very dizzy and not feeling normal the whole day and I slept most of it. So I skipped on the 9th cos I had an exam on the 10th, I was afraid I might be dizzy again. So my doctor said I should never again do that so I resumed on the 10th again and I’m still experiencing dizziness, I try tolerate and be strong hoping it will blow over during the day but it doesn’t. I stay dizzy the whole day till another dose, I don’t know how normal feels like anymore.
So please help me when will this stop? Will I ever be normal again? Or is dizziness something I’ll always encounter for as long as I take the medication?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
How are you coping with your resent diagnoses? Are you getting any support?
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a difficult time and that this is affecting your exams.
Feeling dizzy is a common side effect when taking Atripla. (tribuss is a generic version) Its something that should pass in a few weeks. Please see the following link:
https://i-base.info/guides/1561
In the mean time what might help is if you take then a few hours before you go to bed. This should help with the feelings of dizziness. As when the drug levels are at their highest you will be asleep. Please see the following:
https://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
With regards to missing your doses. In the beginning its important to take your meds as prescribed. And if possible they should be taken at roughly the same time every day. More information on adherence and starting treatment can be found here:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting
Good luck with your exams.
Hi Meme,
It’s really good that you’ve started on HIV treatment (ART). ART is the best way to look after your health and also your baby’s health.
But have you started on Tribuss? It’s reported that one of the drugs in Tribuss, efavirenz, can cause dizziness. It’s important that, if you’re working night shifts, you call the doctor about this.
You can ask to switch to other HIV meds that will be easier for you to take.
Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know.
If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign and ask if they can help with local support.
Just find out that am pregnant and hiv+ I have started on the medication,it’s making me dizzy,and am working shift when am night shift am straggling to work
Hi Trisha,
Great that you’re doing so well. Thanks for this comment.
I’ve drinking Tribus for 10yrs now,no side effect or anything I have a 3years old little give she is negative,I believe when u take ur med properly u will live long happy life since u no ur status.
Hi Nopinky,
Have you changed treatment recently? Or perhaps you’ve changed your work hours. Tribuss is best taken at bedtime. That means any dizziness or side effect can happen when you’re asleep.
Have you talked to the doctor about it? Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load. Please let us know.
I have been using treatment since 2012 but now I become nauseous and dizzy I can’t concentrate its even affecting my work.
Hi Felicia,
As long as your viral load is undetectable, which it is, there isn’t any risk of transmission. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
I am 54years and HIV+ for 18years. I am currently on TRIBUSS which had their side effects when i started taking them but that phase has passed. Currently my Virus is undetectable for the past 11years. Since i have been on medication i never had any opportunistic diseases like TB etc and i have never been admitted to hospital for HIV related sickness. I thank God that i am still strong and taking good care of myself. I don’t smoke but i am an occasional drinker. Currently i am in a relationship and i want to know if i won’t be able to infect my partner when we are not using protection/Condom? I know that my Doctor advised me to use protection at all times and drink my meds at the right time everyday and that’s what i am doing.
Hi Devonia,
If its a medication that contains efavirenz, its very common to feel like this. These side effects should go within a few weeks of starting treatment. If they don’t then you should talk to a doctor. There’s more info about starting treatment here: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I’ve recently started treatment and I’m feeling very sick, weak, dizzy and nausea. What must mi do