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 Kingsley,
What did the doctor say about giving you Septrin? It’s a good idea to ask why they added this to your HIV treatment (ART).
But how is it going? Have you been on ART long? What HIV meds are you taking, and if you have your viral load results, please let us know.
My CD4 is 642. when I began treatment
but septrin was added to my dosage
should I continue
Hi Lucy,
Septrin is an antibiotic. It doesn’t treat HIV. However, it treats other infections, such as pneumonia. It can’t make you HIV negative. But even people on HIV treatment (ART) with an undetectable viral load will likely still test HIV antibody positive.
Are you HIV positive? Please let us know, and also tell us your CD4 count and viral load results.
Is it true that if your positive and you swallow septrin can help to test negative
Hi Ola,
It’s great that your viral load is undetectable and that your CD4 count has increased.
But it’s important to talk to your doctor about taking Septrin. Septrin is an antibiotic and it’s used to treat different bacterial infections. So it’s a good idea to discuss this with the doctor.
Many people taking ART and Septrin play sports and go to the gym. What does the doctor say about not being at your best playing football?
Hello,
Please I need advise on whether to continue or discontinue the intake of Septrin. I was put on medication after suffering from herpes virus which appeared on my mouth. I was put on ART and Septrin with CD4 250 for over a year now. After 8 months my viral level became undetected (<20 copies) with new CD4 490.
Later I started observing some changes in my skin, rashes, peeling and shrinking but the reactions do stop if I discontinue the intake of Septrin for a while and if I start again the reaction come back.
My doctor always advise the continuation of Septrin cos of it's benefits but the issue is that I don't like my skin look when I take Septrin. I read online that Adult with CD4 above 200 are safe to discontinue septrin to avoid some side effect of taking it for long time.
Questions:
1. Can I stop the Septrin since am now undetected and also having CD4 above 400?
2. I take my HIV drug regularly but am I at any risk for skipping, stopping and starting Septrin again?
3. As a person who play football everyday of the week, can either of Septrin or ART has any effect on my performance cos ve not always been at my best.
Thank you.
Hi Akankwatsa,
This is something that you’ll need to discuss with a doctor as it could be a number of things.
My doctor told me to leave septrin then after leaving it my mouth turns to red colour so what can I do
Hi Barnabas,
Most people miss a dose very occasionally but it can be a problem if it happens a lot. Are you taking Septrin because you have a low CD4 count? Septrin can help stop other infections while your ARVs give your CD4 count the chance to recover. Can you speak to your doctor about getting a new supply of Septrin?
Here’s a link with tips on remembering to take your meds every day.
Hello,
I missed my dose of ARV some days in last month and I have run out of Septrin.is it dangerous?