Question
My clinic changed Atroiza to Luvigen without telling me…
15 April 2022. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, HIV transmission.
I was switched from atroiza to luvigen without nothing being explained?
Should I be worried?
My viral load was 103 in December 2021 which I didn’t understand why because I have been mostly consistent and now more than ever after the results I haven’t missed a single dose.
Is it possible that my viral load is lower than 100. I’m worried because I’m sexually active and my partner and I haven’t been using condoms because I’m thinking I can’t pass the infection to him.
Answer
These are two different types for HIV treatment (ART) so your doctor should definitely have talked to you about this change.
They are both generic versions of ART:
https://i-base.info/guides/12423
Atroza uses efavirenz which is an older drug.
Luvigen uses dolutegravir which is more modern. This is better for most people.
The main difference is that Atroiza needed to be taken at night and Luvigen needs to be taken in the morning.
Please call your doctor and clinic and ask why they didn’t give you this information.
Please do not worry about your viral load. This is still very low and it might just have been a lab error.
This will not have put your partner at any risk.
Hi Sarah, Luvigen uses dolutegravir which is better for most people, but which is better to take in the morning rather than at night. This might help you sleep better.
Hi.i was charged to luvigene,now I can’t sleep at night and my foot are painful.im still taking the tablets at night.at the clinic they didn’t tell me to change time.what should I do?
Hi Mat, how much weight have you lost over what time period?
Most people report weight loss on Trivenz and usually the opposite is seen with Luvigen.
Has anything else changes in your life that could have caused this weight loss e.g., stress, eating less, doing more activity/exercise, etc…?
How are you sleeping? Luvigen can cause problems sleeping and in some people this can lead to weight gain. By taking Luvigen in the morning instead it can help prevent this side effect and lead to a better nights sleep.
Have you noticed any other symptoms e.g., night sweats or recurrent fevers?
I have been switched from Trivenz to Luvigen and I since then I have lost so much weight I take my medications in the evening.
Hi Nosisi, I am sorry to hear about the constant cough you have been experiencing. How soon after switching treatment did you notice this?
A cough is not a common side effect of TLD. Have you noticed any other symptoms e.g., fevers, night sweats, fatigue etc…?
What have you tried to help with your cough? and how long have you had it?
Hi, I’ve taking TEE tables and the doctor changed me to TLD, reason for the doctor to change me he said there no more of these TEE and I have been reacting on this TLD. I’m coughing not stop and I have experience an itchy throat that’s leads me to cough alot please help.
Hi Magoro, were you told by your prescribing physician that your treatment was being switched?
How are you sleeping? and what time of the day are you taking Luvigen?
Rilovia and Luvigen are two different treatments. Rilovia is an older combination used for HIV treatment and switching to Luvigen is common practise.
Luvigen is a generic version of TLD: https://i-base.info/guides/14970
TLD can cause problems with sleep which is why it is recommended to take it in the morning. If it is impacting your sleep this could explain why you are feeling weak. How soon after switching treatment did you notice this? and have you noticed any other symptoms e.g., unintentional weight loss, night sweats and/or rashes?
How long had you been on Rilovia? and do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is?
I was also switched from rilovia 200/50 to luvigen and I tart to be weak
Hi Hlobs, no this is not normal. When did you start taking Luvigen and when did you first notice that your face is dry and itchy?
As with all changes to skin you should speak to your doctor about possible causes and treatments.
Is it normal for a face to be dry and itchy when taking luvigen?