Question
Why are my meds now a different colour?
4 May 2022. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Southern Africa, Support.
I am HIV positive and live in South Africa. I used to get meds that I think were pink colour bt know they gave me blue , so is it still the same or Iam taking wrong medication?
Answer
Hi there
Whenever you are not sure about your meds, please contact your doctor straight away. You can also ask the pharmacy whee you get your HIV meds.
This is the best way to make sure everything is okay.
Your doctor should always tell you before your meds are changed.
Sometimes these can be the same meds but made by a different company. In South Africa, there can be ten or more different versions of the same meds.
Even though the pill might be a different size or shape or colour, it can contain the same ingredients.
Sometimes it can be a different combination. For example, many countries are changing to dolutegravir-based ART (TLD) from efavirenz-based ART (TLE).
This link includes many of the different generic makes of HIV meds that are commonly used, including in South Africa.
https://i-base.info/guides/12423
Hello Xoli and many thanks for getting in touch.
Nowadays most people are on some generic ARV or another.
These comments in different shapes and colours but they have the same active substance (with is the medication).
Try using this guide to identify the names of the medication you take:
https://i-base.info/guides/12423
The generics ensure you can take your medication at a reasonable price.
Most people have no problems when they are changed from one generic brand to another because the active substance remains the same.
However, rarely people do not respond well to some brands.
Please discuss this with your doctor and pharmacist.
Also an itchiness in the genital area can and often is caused by other reasons, not ARVs.
Might be a good idea to see a gynaecologist or have a sexual health screen.
Hi
I’m on ARVs, normally I get white or pink tablets.2 years back I got a pack that has blue colour tablets,it makes my private part iches. lucky my cousin who is also positive got the blue one,bt it didn’t give her problem.so we swapped.last month I went to pick ,,and when I opened it I found blue..now it iches again.so what causes this? What can I do
Thnks