Question
What does ‘an empty stomach’ mean when taking Atripla?
7 May 2010. Related: Adherence, All topics, Drug interactions, Side effects.
I have been taking Atripla now for 4 weeks. This is the first and only HIV drug I’ve been on. I take it at night before going to bed. The instructions state to take it on an empty stomach, which is said to be at least 2 hours after eating. I usually never eat for 3 hours before taking the tablet but my stomach never feels ‘empty’ or hungry when I’m taking the tablet. Am I leaving enough time after eating before taking the tablet or should I leave longer?
Occasionally I would have some tea and a biscuit about an hour before taking the tablet. Is this OK or should I not have anything at all to eat that soon before taking the tablet? Will eating too soon before taking Atripla prevent the drug working?
I haven’t had any nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea yet and I am sleeping normally, the only difference that I have felt since taking the drug had been a immense sence of tiredness/lack of energy which was very evident for the first 2 weeks, but which is now much less.
The only other thing I’ve noticed is that both hands feel very hot and irritable, a sensation more than pins and needles and the skin on both has become very dry. Could this be a side effect?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
When the drug instructions say to take Atripla on an empty stomach it does not mean you have to feel physically ‘empty’ or hungry. That is why they give a guide of taking your medication after about 2 hours without eating. A cup of tea and a biscuit an hour before you take your medication should be fine.
Eating before you taking Atripla will not stop it working. This recommendation is to help avoid side effects from the drugs. Some people find that they can eat and take Atripla almost straight afterwards without getting side effects. Others find that this gives them nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. If you are not experiencing any of these things then you should be fine continuing what you are currently doing.
Many people experience side effects in the first few weeks of taking HIV medication. As your body starts to get used to the drugs these begin to become milder such as the tiredness you mentioned.
The hot and irritable feeling in your hands may be a side effect of the medication or it could be due to an underlying condition. Any symptom you experience you should tell your doctor about. Most side effects are manageable with additional treatment.
For further information please follow this link to the side effects section of the i-Base ‘Introduction to Combination Therapy’ and to the ‘Guide to Avoiding and Managing Side Effects’.
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