Question
Should I continue taking septrin if my CD4 count has risen to above 200?
24 January 2023. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections.
How long can a person take Septrin?
Is it ok to continue taking it even if CD4 levels have risen (from below 10 to 270)?
Thanks.
Answer
It is really good news that your CD4 count has risen to 270 cells from such a low count.
Septrin is prescribed as prophylaxis against PCP [a type of pneumonia] when someone has a CD4 count of below 200 cells, and against toxoplasmosis (a type of brain infection) someone is at risk of developing with a CD4 count of less than 100 cells.
In the UK, once a person’s CD4 count increases to above 100 cells when on treatment, then they can stop Septrin. That is, unless they have previously had PCP.
For someone who has previously had PCP, it is recommended to continue until the CD4 count is above 200 cells/mm3. This is based on EACS guidelines (v11.1, October 2022).
In some African countries, Septrin is recommended until the CD4 count is over 350 (and sometimes until over 500). This is because the background risk of infections can vary in different countries.
In countries with high risk of malaria or severe bacterial infections, prophylaxis should continue, irrespective of CD4 count on ART. There are also different recommendations for children and in other specific circumstances. (WHO consolidated guidelines, 2021)
In terms of safety, if your doctor has recommended that you continue taking the septrin, then this is very safe to do so.
This pot was updated in January 2023 from a question frost answered in January 2012.
HIV+. My cd4 count is 945. I was put on septrin called sulfran. Is this in order?
Hi,
You should continue to take you ARVs. This way you are making sure your CD4 count doesn’t fall. If you do stop taking treatment it will start get fall.
HIV treatment guidelines recommend that you do not stop and start treatment- once you have started it you should continue.
My CD4 is 902. Should I continue to take the antiviral drugs or stop and take only Septrin?
Hi,
It’s great to hear that your boy is doing well. Septrin is often used in people with HIV as a prophylaxis. This means that it is used to prevent infection. Septrin is used to prevent an illness called PCP as well as others. This is more common in people who have CD4 counts under 200 but is also used more generally by people with HIV. You can talk to your clinic or doctor about the septrin and they will be able to give you more information about why you are still on it or if you can stop taking it.
I was diagnosed HIV+ five years ago when I was pregnant. I gave birth safely and the boy is five years and negative. My problem is I was put on treatment and after giving birth I was put on septrin and my cd4 count is 479. Can I still or should I continue taking the septrin?
Hi Amandu
Your doctor should have taken blood for a test called your CD4 count, and perhaps also for viral load. Please see this recent question for information about these two tests:
http://i-base.info/qa/10256
The Septrin is a good idea until these results are available.
The results will be used to decide whether you need other meds including HIV treatment.
Hello, I am HIV positive. Before the test i was had a rash but after the test and when confirmed HIV positive I went on Septrin and the rash disapared. Is it safe that am taking only Septrin?
Hi Solomon,
Are you on ARVs or only on Septrin? How long have you been on Septrin for?
Am on septrin and my cd4 count is 600 can i stop
Hi Juju,
CD4 count changes vary a lot between people, but you can read about average CD4 count increases here. I hope you get on well with your first few days on treatment- please let us know if you have any more questions.