Question
I have gained weight in the last month…
27 July 2023. Related: All topics, Side effects, Starting treatment.
I’m HIV +ve, i’m worried about about my weight. I’m gaining a lot of of weight in a month. I’m worried, what can I do about it? I just started Acriptega.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
Do you know how much weight you have gained in the last month?
Acriptega is a generic version of TLD. This means that it contains a drug called dolutegravir. This medication is known to sometimes cause weight gain in people. This happens because the medication increases the persons appetite.
Have you noticed if you have been eating more in the last month? and what time are you taking your medication?
Weight gain associated with dolutegravir can cause an increase of up to 10% of a persons normal body weight. This is managed with normal weight loss methods e.g., eating less/calorie deficit or increasing how much exercise/activity you are doing.
If you continue to notice weight gain, or it is happening rapidly please speak to your doctor about this.
Josh.
Hi Lungile, thanks. Rizene is TLE which is based on efavirenz and Acriptega is a newer med called TLD and is based on dolutegravir.
This link includes other names for these meds:
https://i-base.info/qa/wp-admin/edit-comments.php
It is very safe to make this switch as TLD is generally better and is the most widely used combination now.
Acriptega is not usually linked to nausea, but try taking your meds with a little plain food as this might help.
I have just switch from RIZENE to Acriptega, what can I take for nausea?
Secondly, was it ok for me to switch to Acriptega?
Hi Thutego, thanks for you post. What did you doctor say about your weight changes? Although most people put on a little weight when they first start treatment this is usually only a few kgs over the first year. This change in weight is much more than normal so your doctor needs to weight you and measure youor waist and hips so that any further changes are also tracked.
This post has more information but there isn’t an eassy answer:
https://i-base.info/qa/26026
Within one month of taking acriptega my weight shot up from 74 kg to 84kg and I am concerned because my weight seems to continue to increase. The other issue is that since I started taking this drug I started having some dry cough which is usually irritating my throat and it bemes worse at night especially when I try to lie down.