Question
When is the best time to take Ranega?
8 December 2022. Related: Adherence, All topics, Pregnancy, Side effects.
Hi, am Sipho. I have started my treatment just for a few weeks now. I am not experiencing anything out of the ordinary as yet. My question is, what’s the right time to take Ranega? And would you say it’s the best drug for a pregnant person?
Answer
Hi Sipho, how are you?
It is great that you are not experiencing anything out of the ordinary. What time are you currently taking Ranega?
Ranega is a generic version of TLD. This means that it contains dolutegravir. This is the drugs that can cause common side effects assocaited with Ranega. The most common being sleeplessness. People avoid this side effect by taking the medication in the morning – this is when it is recommended to take it. Taking in the morning means the side effects should wear of before bed and not effect sleep.
Ranega is suitable for pregnancy. There is no one HIV drug that is best in pregnancy. All HIV medication is suitable to be taken throughout. Treatment is the best way to keep both you and and baby healthy. As long as Ranega is working for you, it will be the best for you to take while pregnant also.
Josh.
Hello Ekelom and thanks for getting in touch.
Just because someone is living with HIV, doesn’t mean they can pass it on to you.
People living with HIV, on effective medication, can live long, healthy lives and do not pass on HIV to their sexual partners.
Condoms protect from pregnancy, not just HIV.
Please see here for more information:
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
The only way to know if you are living with HIV or not is to get tested.
With the 4th generation tests the results can be conclusive after 6 weeks.
Please see here for more information:
https://i-base.info/qa/11844
Dearest Josh,
On 16th october.2024
I had sex with a lady, she was on top of me for few minutes unprotected sex and she released and during my turn I had to use condoms.
After that I found out that she is hiv, what are my chances of getting infected.
Hi Lungile, do you know how much weight you have gained and over how long?
Since you have noticed this have you noticed any other changes that could have caused this weight gain e.g., eating more, changes in sleep, less active lifestyle?
Ranega can cause weight gain. This usually settles after the first 2 years. It causes this by increasing appetite. Have you tried anything since first noticing to help lose this weight? and have you spoken to your doctor about these weight changes?
I have been taking Ragena for a few months now. I am now worried about my weght gain. I have never been this size. It’s like am gaining weight every single day. Please help
Hi Kubluzile, as you have been on both Tb treatment and Ranega for a long time before the symptoms you have mentioned, it suggests your current treatment is not the cause.
As with all new skin changes, please speak with your doctor about other possible causes so they can treat appropriately.
Hi, I started Ragena in October 2023 together with TB medication. I finished my TB treatment and continued with Regana but now I have noticed that after taking it I now have my face get swollen especially around my mouth and eyes with hives on my thighs and bums.
What causes this
HI Ekelom, if you are using a 4th generation test antigen/antibody combo there result will be conclusive. If this is only a 3rd generation antibody test you will need to wait another 15 days. 90 days post PEP is the requirement for these tests to be conclusive.
More information about testing and transmission can be found here: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Dear Josh,
I would like to know any test taken after the last dose of my Ranega Pep which was on the 25th November 2023, is the test accurate? It’s 75days now after I took my last dose of Pep.
I have been testing with hand prink quick test and all coming to negatives but sometimes I get scarred. So please what can I do, am I safe?
I do not have any symptoms, but sometimes have burning sensation on my upper back and the sole of my feet.
Thanks.
Hi Sandra, how much weight have you lost? and are you taking Ranega as PEP or ART?
Ranega is recommended to be taken in the day to avoid problems sleeping. If you are still sleeping fine you don’t need to change the time you are taking it.
Has anything else changed recently that could effect your weight e.g., eating more/less, stress, more activity…?
I started taking Ranega on the 26 May 2023 and since then, I’ve lost weight drastically, what can I do. Secondly, I read that, it’s recommended to take it during the day, I’m s taking at night, can I be able to change and take in the morning?