Question
Are generics the same as brand-name drugs?
4 January 2016. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects, South Africa.
I live in South Africa and have recently been advised by my medical aid that they will be changing all Atripla patients to a generic drug called Tribuss.
This is because Tribuss is cheaper.
I have checked with my doctor and she advised that there is no reason to worry because it is almost the same thing – just that the other is a generic.
My concern was around side effects. I wanted to know if I should expect going through the side effects all over again.
My other question is what is the actual difference between the actual drug and a generic?
Answer
Your consultant has given you the good information about Tribuss.
The main difference between generics and brand-name drugs is just the cost. Generic drugs cost much less than brand-name counterparts.
The active ingredients for the generic and brnd versions are both the same.
Generic drugs might be a different shpae size or colour but they have the same activie ingredients. They are just as effective and also have the same risk of side effects.
Generic drugs are also carefully tested. They undergo similar strict regulations for safety and its effectiveness. In the UK, between 65% to 85% of all drugs prescribed by the NHS are generic.
In theory, you should not have any side effect problems, since they share the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs. However, if you do get from side effects, please talk to your doctor.
This answer was lightly edited in January 2016 from an original answer in February 2012.
Tribuss is a 3-in-1 drug. It contains efavirenz plus tenofovir plus FTC in one pill.
Tribuss is manufactured by Aspen Pharmacare in South Africa and is a generic version of Atripla (developed by Gilead and Bristol-Myers Squibb for Western countries).
just got a script from my dr to take tribuss is it a 3 in 1 drug or does it go with other pills
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.
In response to your question, it is important that you do not stop taking your medication. I can appreciate your concern in not wanting to continue taking it as in the past women wishing to conceive were advised not to use efavirenz or to switch if they found out they were pregnant whilst taking it.
However, over the past few years, this advice has now changed. Here in the UK, the current UK guidelines for the management of HIV in pregnancy recommend that efavirenz can continue to be used by women considering pregnancy. They also recommend that efavirenz can be used by women diagnosed HIV positive during pregnancy.
There are many reports of women throughout the world who have have continued taking efavirenz during pregnancy. There should be no effect on your baby from taking it.
Hi
I am currently on tribuss (efavirenz+FTC+tenofovir) and I’m pregnant(1st trimester), could it affect my unborn baby?
Hi Thabi,
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. Many patients are being asked to change drugs because Tribuss is much cheaper than Atripla. You may notice that the pills will look, taste or smell different. You shouldn’t experience any different side effects from changing to Tribuss because it contains the same formulation as Atripla. If you do experience any changes do tell your doctor but you shouldn’t feel worried about making this change.
I’m currently on atripla but my doctor said I should try Tribuss since its gonna be cheaper for me as I am a student, I’m really worried about taking a new drug, but he said that most patients have changed and haven’t complained about side effects or anything.
Am also from south africa and have recently started taking Tribuss, 17 days and no side effects so far. I must say i find the pill easy to take or might just be am glad to be alive.
I can’t comment able the smell as I have not personally seen this medication. I sounds strange that this would be a problem but if your doctor is away you could ask the pharmacist.
It is better to wait until your doctor is back before decides to use different meds.
I open my medication only last night and my doctor is out of the country. My concern is that, why are they changing my medication without telling me first. I am brand person by nature and wouldnt mind paying the R100 if so to recieve Atripla again. This Tribuss has a horrible smell and I wont take it. My Medical aid is in trouble with I tell you. Because I am HIV doesnt mean I can be treated like this, they were supposed to follow the procedure and talk to me about this first before delivering the ugly pill.
So irritated really and I dont see a point of having a medical aid at this moment. I can buy my own medication and also pay for my own blood test if thats the case.
Thank you Li. Except I forgot to mention that I am going to miss Atripla. It was an easy tablet to swallow – no smell whatsoever! Unfortunately I can’t say the same for Tribuss – the smell is terrible, each time I have to take it, I feel like screaming! Anyway one has to do what one has got to do in order to surive!
Thank you once again for the wonderful job that you guys do!