Question
What happens if don’t take Atripla on an empty stomach?
25 October 2011. Related: Adherence, All topics, Drug interactions.
Hello! I take Atripla and I need to take it on an empty stomach. I am just wondering what happens when I don’t take it on an empty stomach and how long after a meal is the stomach empty?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Eating before taking Atripla will not stop it from working.
When the drug instructions say take Atripla on an empty stomach, it does not mean that you have to feel physically empty or hungry. That is why the recommendation is to take your medication after about 2 hours without eating. A cup of tea and a biscuit an hour before you take your medication should be fine.
One of the reasons why they recommend taking it on an empty stomach is because a high fat mean can increase the drug levels of efavirenz to 60%. This can then increase the side effects. Nearly all other foods are fine, just leave a couple of hours when the meal is high fat. [efavirenz is one of the drugs contained in Atripla].
Some people find that they can eat and take Atripla almost straight after without experiencing side effects. However, as people are individuals and react differently to treatment, others find that eating and taking Atripla straight after, gives them nausea, vomitting or diarrhoea.
Have been on this drug for 2 years and my one breast is developing, is it one its side effects. Please help
Hi Reginald,
What is the name of the medication that you’ve been given?
Hi just come back from my local clinic and they just give me new medication so I Read the instructions but I don’t understand that when should I drink it in morning are it night and wow many tablet a day with empty stomach are what
Hi Nanzo,
Side effects for Atroiza can include rash. But are these skin problems new? In any case, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor to look at them. If they are side effects you can talk to your doctor about changing HIV treatment (ART).
Here’s the guide to HIV, side effects and quality of life.
But how is the HIV treatment going? Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know.
Hi. I have been taking atroiza for 4 years now and I am experiencing itchyness on my body that leaves bad marks is this caused by the side effects or is any other sickness please help.
Hi Ron.
If you don’t have any side effects, then yes.
I want to take if I can start efivarenz in the morning on an empty stomach ?
Hi Boitumelo,
I’m sorry to hear this. What country do you live in? If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign. They have been calling for access to quality public healthcare since 1998.
Here is a link to their contacts page.
I have not been taking treatment for the past 3 weeks, at the clinic they won’t help me I have changed my residence I’m staying in a new area which is they want prove of transfer, I’m scared I’m gonna die and leave my kids behind I honestly don’t know what to do coz I can’t even get money to go to my previous clinic, I need help asap
Hi Edward,
Unfortunately we are not doctors at i-Base, but we do give up to date HIV treatment information. So it’s very important you see a doctor to get a diagnosis of your symptoms.
However, lactic acidosis is a very serious side effect but it is no longer reported in countries that no longer use d4T, ddI and AZT. Although other nukes are linked to lactic acidosis one or more of these nukes are linked to most cases. Please see more info in this guide to side effects and quality of life http://i-base.info/guides/side/lactic-acidosis-pancreatitis.
It’s not recommended to stop ART without discussing this with a doctor. Stopping treatment for 2 weeks will likely increase risk of viral rebound and possible drug resistance.