Question
Is Atenef a good ARV?
6 September 2021. Related: All topics, Starting treatment.
I’ve just been given Atenef, is it any good?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Atenef is version of a drug called Atripla. This is still a very widely used combination. It includes three HIV meds in one pill.
There are many other generic versions. These include Atenef, Atreslawin, Atroiza, Citenvir, Heftenam, Odimune, Rizene, Teevir, Trenvir, Tribuss, Triolar, Trivenz, Truno, Trustiva, Viraday and Vonavir.
More info about Atripla:
https://i-base.info/guides/1561
Over the last few years, most countries are moving away from Atripla.
Instead, guidelines have moved to use combinations that use an integrase inhibitor. This main combination is called TLD (tenofovir disoproxil, lamivudine, dolutegravir).
This question was first posted in December 2017. The answer was updated in 2021 to include information about recent use of dolutegravir.
Hi Nduna, if this was a high risk exposure you can use PEP. PEP is a course of treatment given for 28 days and should be started no later than 72 hours after the exposure.
Atenef is used at treating HIV. Because of its side effect profile it is not recommended to be used as PEP because of the short duration of the course. A more suitable combination to use would be TLD: https://i-base.info/guides/14970
PEP: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Halo guys I need to understand something after unprotected sex how many hours that u can use atoned tablets if u don’t trust the person ho sleep with and again atenef isn’t true can prevent HIV
Hi Aaron, great that you are feeling better. Missing one dose of meds will be fine. The meds are good enough for this to not make any difference. Best wishes :)
Thanks for the reply day before yesterday i couldn’t take the tablet because i was vomiting and having a very bad diarrhoea throughout the night i had to go back to the pharmacist they said its the side effects as you mentioned. Yesterday i continued with my meds the vomiting is gone its only the diarrhoea left. Im worried now skipping the tablet would it affect the whole process
Hi Aaron
Atenef includes three HIV meds, one of which is efavirenz.
It is still used in some countries as treatment or as PEP (not PrEP).
Because of the side effects including mood changes and dizziness it has never been used as PEP in the UK.
The pharmacist is giving you wrong information though. Efavirenz should never be taken after a full meal, or even after fatty food, because this makes the side effects worse.
Try taking this PEP at night just before you sleep and NOT eating anything for the few hours before.
i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Hi i had a new partner we had un protected sex i didnt trust her so i went to a pharmacie for a PrEP they gave me Atenef to take for 30 days. They told me to take one tablets after a good meal when im sleeping so after i take the the tablet i get i lot dizzy that i can not do anything. Is it normal and for how long should i take them. Would they really help in preventing me from getting hiv