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.
Hi Winnie.
Its possible that the headaches are due to the efavirenz that you’re taking. Please see Q3 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions. However the headaches could also be due to a number of other issues. This is something to talk to your doctor about.
What causes constant headaches yet on effavirez and septrin. Even if alot of water is taken the headache continues
Hi Winnie,
Yes its possible to take septrin and efavirenz at the same time. This isn’t a problem.
Is it OK to take septrin and effavirez at the same time
Hi Ceaser,
It’s great that you are on ARVs. But it’s important to ask your doctor when to stop taking Septrin. Septrin is used to protect against pneumonia – or other infections – when you have a low CD4 count.
hii is it ok for me to stop taking septrin yet I’m on arvs?
Hi Sylvester, cotrimoxazole is another name for Septrin. It can be used by HIV positive people to treat – or prevent – illness from other infections, such as pneumonia (PCP). Are you HIV positive? You can ask your doctor why you were given cotrimoxazole and what it is treating.
Hi doc,I just messed up with Lady I don’t trust,the condom busted so the doctor prescribed me cotrimoxazole ….will it help?
Hi Lollies,
Weight gain that results in a person being obese isn’t something that’s common with modern ARVs. Therefore, this could be due to a number of factors. Life is usually the main thing to think about. Do you eat a balanced healthy diet and exercise?
Iam HIV patient and been on ART for almost 2yrs now. My major problem is iam very fat obbessed to be precise. And my pot belly is giving me headache.. Please what advice will you give me on how to loose weight as i was told the tummy is due to the drug iam taking. Is there anyway to control it?
Thank you.