Question
Can I switch between Atripla and Acriptega?
29 November 2021. Related: All topics, Changing treatment.
I used to take Atripla for the last 3 years, my Viral Load is undetectable and CD4 is about 500 (37%). During my last visit to the doctor, I was switched to Acriptega. It has been one week since starting Acriptega. My question is, if I would like to switch back to Atripla, after one month on Acriptega (for some reasons) is it possible? Or I have already lost Efaverinz?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Excellent news to hear that you are undetectable. Switching of your medication will have no effect on this status. Can I ask why you would like to switch back to Atripla? Both Atripla and Acriptega (TLA) are first line combinations as recommended by the WHO guidelines. They contain the same active drugs, except switching Efavirenz for Dolutegravir which work in slightly different ways.
Many people are being switched, as often TLD is more tolerable than Atripla. Atripla contains Efavirenz and is what most people find difficult, as it causes a number of side effects. This being said, if you would like to switch back it is important you inform your doctor. If the new combination of medication isn’t working for you it you need to flag this.
If you have another question please get in touch,
Josh.
Hello Epiphania and thanks for getting in touch.
Changing medication might have been accidental during the same time you discovered the blood pressure.
Dolutegravir doesn’t affect the blood pressure, your nurses are right.
the clinic should have done more investigations about this though.
The clinic should check your kidney function, blood pressure, weight, height, etc.
They might want to check your urine for protein too.
I wouldn’t recommend going back on efavirenz as we have a lot of evidence both Fromm clinical studies and lived experience saying it significantly affects the quality of life.
You might need to see your GP in order to have all the testing related to a high blood pressure and to develop a management plan.
I was taking Efavirenz from 2009 till December 2023 when I was switched to Dolutegravir. Three months down the line my blood pressure skyrocketed and I have been struggling with it since and I am not getting any better.
I have told the nurses and they keep telling me that there is no way Dolutegravir can trigger blood pressure in some patients. I have asked them to switch me back to Efavirenz and the response was it’s not possible because Dolutegravir is the first line recommended by WHO. How do I win this because it’s troubling me day and night. I no longer enjoy taking my medication because it’s triggering other diseases for me.
Hello Siya and thank you for the question.
You are right that PEP needs to be taken for a month.
Here in the UK we give a week of PEP in the emergency department and then ask people to visit a sexual health clinic.
What kind of follow up did they say you should have?
Please see this link for more information about PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq
Hi
My doctor gave me acriptega to take for 1 week (1 tablet per day)
However, i see it is stated on the internet that PEP is taken for a month (28 days).
Can you please assist if the 1 week course is still in accordance with the medical requirement and is effective for any exposures or I will need to extent to 28 days.
Thank you
Hi Prince, how much weight have you lost and over what time period. Atripla is a combination that contains efavirenz. It is efavirenz that has a possible link to reduced weight. It is common for people to switch to TLD (https://i-base.info/guides/14970). This drug contains dolutegravir instead of efavirenz. For this reason this combination is often much better tolerated by people and has far fewer side effects.
Hi l am on atripla right now but it’s making me loose alot of weight what is the best medicine to switch to.