Question
What is the difference between TLD, Tribuss and Aluvia+Zovilam?
4 January 2021. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Starting treatment.
Hi. What is the difference between Tribuss and aluvia+zovilam?
Thank you
Answer
Hi
These are three main combinations used to treat HIV across the world.
Each one contains a different combination of three active HIV drugs.
TLD stands for tenofovir D + lamivudine + dolutegravir.
This is the most recent combination. The biggest difference is that dolutegravir is an integrase inhibitor. It works more quickly and has even fewer side effects than other combinations. All guidelines now recommend integrase inhibitors as the first combination.
Tribuss contains tenofovir D + emtricitabine + efavirenz.
Tribuss was the most recommended first-line combination for many years. It is still used in most low income countries, although people are steadily moving to use TLD instead. Since integrase inhibitors were developed, it has become rarely used in high income countries. This is because efavirenz has more side effects than dolutegravir.
Aluvia+Zovilam is lopinavir/ritonavir + AZT/lamivudine.
Lopinavir/ritonavir is a boosted protease inhibitor. AZT is a much older version of a nuke (similar to tenofovir). This combination was widely used as second-line treatment after people developed drug resistance to Tribuss.
Hello Natalia and thanks for getting in touch.
Your doctor has prescribed the antibiotic as sometimes people are at greater risk of infections when they are first diagnosed.
It will be safe for you to stop it when your CD4 count is over 200.
The best course of action is to have a discussion with your doctor, explain your symptoms, find out your CD4 count and develop a plan going forward.
In the meantime it might be a good idea to notice how you take your medication.
For example taking it with food might help with the diarrhoea.
Also, try eating yogurt or take probiotics that will help you with healthy bacteria that can improve the diarrhoea.
How are you coping with your diagnosis otherwise?
I am sending you a link to more information I think you might find helpful:
https://i-base.info/just-found-out/
Hi. I recently discovered that I’m positive and the doctor prescribed me TLD in combination with Purbac DS(to be repeated for 5 months). I finished my first month on both pills however the side effects of the antibiotic are unbearable…loose stool everyday and stomach cramps. I even take loperamide sometimes to aid my stomach issues.
Can I just continue taking TLD alone and stop purbac DS (which I’ve taken for 30 days)? Please advise
Hi Stella,
Has your doctor suggested that you need to change to another combination? I’m asking as aluvia isn’t the same as Tribuss. Depending on where it is that you live, there could be other combinations.
Can I change aluvia to tribuss