Question
My body itches all over – is it because of Atripla?
30 September 2010. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections, Side effects.
I have been on Atripla for 3 years now. Everything has been good with high CD4 counts and undetectable but over last year I have become increasingly itchy over most of my body, my legs especially, my doctor doesn’t seem too bothered and gave me antihistamines but they have not worked and the itch is really too much to bear at times. Have you any advice? I am seriously considering stopping my medications it gets so bad!
Answer
Thank you very much for your question.
For me to be able to answer your question more specifically it would help if you could let me know whether you have dry skin or a rash as well as the itching? Dry skin and rashes often occur to cause itching. Both are side effects with some HIV medications although most occur during the first few weeks of taking the drugs and then lessen once the body gets used to the treatment.
It is unusual for Atripla to be causing the itching after two years on treatment without this side effect. If your HIV doctor does not seem bothered then you should go to your GP and ask him/her to investigate further. Explain to them that the antihistamines are not working and how desparate it has become.
More information on rashes as side effects of treatment.
More information on dry skin as a side effect of treatment.
I understand how fraustrating it is to feel itchy all the time. There are a few things you could do to help reduce the itching such as:
- Take a bath or shower in cool or warm water rather than hot water as this can irritate your skin
- Avoid heavily scented or coloured soaps and shower gels. Try to use products that are marked hypoallergenic or wash with aqueous cream.
- Use liquids and not powder to wash your clothes as tiny amounts of powder can build up on your clothes. Try using non-biological makes that are designed for sensitive skin.
- Wear cool fibres such as cotton rather than synthetic ones. When possible at home wear as few clothes as possible.
- Try not to use too many bedclothes. Keep as cool as possible in bed as being too warm can irritate your skin. Again, use natural, cool fibres such as cotton.
- Calamine lotion can be soothing when the skin is very irritated
The most important thing is that you do not stop taking your HIV medication. If you stop taking your medication for a while then it is possible that you will develop resistance to the medication which can be bad for your health in the long-run as it may limit the number and type of HIV drugs available to you.
More information on resistance.
Hi Dim.k,
What does the doctor say about your feet? It’s a good idea to ask if this is a side effects of Tribuss. If so, you could ask if there are HIV meds that would suit you better.
Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? please let us know how it’s going.
Hi i have been taking Tribuss ARVs for 9 months but my feets feel hot and numb everynight i even gain Hot temperature after taking the pill
Hi Felicia,
This is something that you’ll need to talk to a doctor about. You may only need some antihistamines.
Hi I have been on Odimune for 3 weeks now. After a week i developed rash all over my body which disappeared after a week but left me with dark skin. My body Been itching ever since the rash came. I dont even sleep,literally Im itching everywhere.
Hi Busiswa,
If you think that the clinic were wrong then you’ll need to test for HIV again. This is possible even if you’ve been on meds for the last few years. If its confirmed that you are positive then this would indicate that you were positive before entering into a relationship with your partner of 9 years.
Please also see Q’s 5, 9 and 14 here: https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hello I tested for HIV in 2016 while I was pregnant They only tested me with one rapid test & it came positive but the other line was not really showing.I’ve been on my medication since 2016 August but now just develop an itchy back & my partner of nine years just tested negative please help we don’t know what’s going on we really need help.
Hi Gideon,
As Charlotte explains above, it’s unusual for Atripla to cause itching after a long time on treatment. Is this your ARVs? If your HIV doctor is not bothered about the symptoms you can talk to the GP about them. Charlotte gives links to ARV side effects for rash and dry skin. But you can also ask your HIV clinic about the pain in your leg. If these symptoms are side effects you can ask to change ARVs. But if they’re not side effects it’s a good idea to get them looked at by the doctor to see if there is treatment for them.
hi I have been on ARVs for over a year now, but I am now experiencing a very itching skin for over 3 months now and the itching is severe and when I scratch the rush develops into sores and it never stops itching. I also experience pain in my leg, please help I’m worried.
Hi Nka,
Please consult a doctor this. It may be due to the ARVs, however it could be something else.
I am on tenofovoir,lamividine,efavirenz been on it since August 2017 by December I started experiencing itchy reddish bumps on my skin I took some antihistamine and applied cream daily and it left now it’s back and am worried.