Q and A

Question

What are the side effects of TLD?

Hi guys, I recently had sex with someone who was HIV positive. The next day I went to the clinic and they gave me PEP. I am currently on TLD but I am experiencing a stuffy nose, dry mouth and sore throat. I have little red spots on my legs, like a rash I don’t know if this are side effects or not. Please help.

Answer

Hi, how are you?

All meds can cause mild or minor side effects in some people but not everyone will get these side effects. Most of the side effects listed with the drug information only affect a percentage of people who use these meds.

This means nearly every medicine has a daunting list of potential side effects, but in practice you are unlikely to get any or only one or two.

Please see this link for info on PEP including side effects:

https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

114 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Kay, congratulations on your pregnancy. As with any skin changes please speak with your doctor.

    Have noticed any other changes e.g., itchiness, problems breathing, pain etc…?

    The treatment you have been prescribed is safe to be taken during pregnancy. Purbac will need to be reassessed in your third trimester if still continuing to take this medication.

    Ranega is a generic version of TLD. This means it contains dolutegravir. Medication that contains dolutegravir can cause problems sleeping. To avoid this it is recommended to take treatment in the morning. The impact on sleep is reduced/goes away when taking it earlier in the day.

  2. Kay

    Hy
    Please assist I’m on early second trimester of pregnancy I found out that I’m HIV positive and the Dr prescribed Renega and purbac.I have few days since I started the medication but just realise that I suffer with rash ,Nd take medication once at night, sometimes I find my self struggling to sleep around 1 @ night

  3. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Zodwa, isolated swelling your face is not a side effect of Acriptega. Please speak with your doctor about this for suitable investigations and appropriate management.

  4. Zodwa

    I have been on acriptega for almost 3 months the only real side effect is the swelling on the sides of my face on both sides right infrontof my ears. I don’t know if that’s inflammation or I am still adjusting

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Connie, as with any skin changes please go to see your doctor.

    Are you taking TLD for PEP or as HIV treatment?

  6. Connie

    Am on my 6th day and my skin is itching and having some reactions ND scratches#PEP. M worried

  7. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Walter, no this does not mean you have HIV. Being on treatment means that your partner is looking after her health and yours.

    Treatment works by suppressing HIV and when the viral load is low enough it is impossible to pass on HIV via sex. This means there is no risk of transmission when not using a condom.

    This is called U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

    Have you spoken to your girlfriend since finding this medication?

  8. Walter

    Recently found pills in my gfs bag LTD have not asked her wat are they for n we have been hit raw for 2years now. Does this mean am also infected

  9. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Jay, this is nothing to worry about. Being on PEP will not protect you from every infection. It is completely normal to still get a cold while on PEP. It does not mean that PEP has failed or that you are seroconverting.

    More information about PEP can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  10. Jay

    I’m on PEP for 23 days now and I just got cold today I’m so worried now what those this mean please

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