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Question

Are Aluvia and Dumiva the same medications?

Hi there.

Are Aluvia and Dumiva the same medications?

Answer

Thanks for letting us answer your question online – now posted here:

Aluvia and Dumiva are two different medicines that are often used together to make a complete treatment for HIV.

Aluvia contains lopinavir and ritonavir. In some countries it is called Kaletra.
https://i-base.info/guides/3547

Dumiva contains abacavir and lamivudine. The original versions were called Kivexa or Epzicom.
https://i-base.info/guides/3513

Different drug companies make the same medicines. The different brand names can make it confusing, but these medicines are all just as good. Looking for the active ingredient is the best way to know if your meds have changed.

This link lists some of the most widely used brands in different countries.

Generic HIV drugs
https://i-base.info/guides/12423

10 comments

  1. Christina Antoniadi

    Hello Dudu and thanks for getting in touch.

    The really good news are that the TLD is working very well for your patient.

    There are many reasons for an elevated creatinine.

    You need to investigate if your patient:
    – is taking any other co-current medication such as herbal and gym supplements, especially creatine and protein supplements – these can interfere with the creatinine readings (repeat the tests after the patient has not taken supplements for 2 weeks)
    – if they have been unwell and have taken any NSAIDS before their blood test (and repeat accordingly)

    You also should be looking at urine protein/creatinine ratio and albumin/creatinine ratio to establish whether there is kidney damage.

    Dolutegravir increases the serum creatinine, however this has no detrimental effect to the kidneys
    https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.16009

    You might need to adjust the dose of metformin or include another anti-diabetic agent as there is an interaction with metformin and dolutegravir.
    https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker

    How is the creatinine clearance and e-GFR of the patient?

  2. Dudu

    I got patient on TLD with CD4 of 44, rival load 39, creatinine 166 who is also on metformin 1000mg.The creatinine is still elevated. What is the cause of elevated creatinine?

  3. Christina Antoniadi

    Hello ND and thanks for the question.

    Aluvia and Rilovia are the same medication (Lopinavir/ritonavir), but come with different names

    I can’t see in the common side effects insomnia but it would be good to discuss with your doctor if this is what you are experiencing.

    Sometimes they are able to provide other options for ARVs that might be better tolerated.

    See here for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/17548

  4. ND

    Hi, im on arv treatment, i take Aluvia and Dumiva, but recently they gave me Rilovia, and i can’t sleep at night at all, i stay awake the whole night, but with Aluvia I’m experiencing this, is it normal?

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Sizeka, Rilovia is also the same as Aluvia. They both contain the same medication.

  6. Sizeka

    Thank you for the answer because i got the Rilovia instead of aluvia

  7. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Zamaswazi, Aluvia and Rilovia are the same medication. They both include lopinovir and ritonavir. They have different names because they are made by different manufacturers. This does not change how the work. The difference is how they look and their name. This will not effect your treatment.

  8. Zamaswazi

    Hi how are you my name is Zamaswazi i have problem I’m taking Aluvia pills then this month they send me Rilovia pills I don’t take them i dont know if it a mistake or it a same thing as Aluvia pills

  9. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Nobengazi, Aluvia is lopinavir and ritonavir. Aluvia is the generic name of this combination. Because they are the same there should be no reason for these side effects she is experiencing. How long has she been taking Aluvia for? and does she take any other HIV medication? Has your sister spoken to a doctor about these symptoms?

  10. Nobengazi

    C M Sega is my sister since October after receiving Lopinavi/Ritonav 200/50mg
    At night she react as if she got hot flushes and ichy. Can you assist in this regard but before when Using Aluvia she was fine.

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