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.
Hi Rebecca
i feel bloated all the time like there is just air only in my stomac. as for the sleepless nights they have improved dramatically i feel normal again and sleep better. I m not saying that do not have abdomal dificulties but i have got sms from my DRtelling me that my kidney function no is 57 which is pretty so i am hoping that it is nothing serious!!….i am trying to get use to this virus in my body it is sometimes hard but i know that i am going to live a healthy and long life!!
Hi,
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re having a problem with your medication and need to switch. It’s not unusual for Tribuss to affect the way our kidneys work. This is because one of the drugs in Tribuss- tenofovir- is processed by the kidneys. It’s really good that your doctor has checked for this and it’s likely this has been picked up before any serious damage has been done.
Changing treatment can be frightening and it’s ok to be scared about this. There are lots of very good HIV drugs available and there will be another combination that can work for you. We have some information about changing treatment because of side effects in our treatment guide. Your doctor should explain these changes to you, and let you ask any questions you have. Has your doctor told you what s/he wants you to change to?
I was on Tribuss the past 6 months ,it was so good to me I did’nt have any side effects,my dr took my blood for tests and today the results came back saying i must stop using Tribuss because it is affecting my kidneys,the said I must stop it immidiatley,now I am scared of starting the new treatment.
Hello Nana,
Tribuss contains three HIV drugs (efavirenz, tenofovir and 3TC). This is the first line treatment in the UK and South Africa, and it’s possible your boyfriend’s doctor will suggest this treatment. HIV treatment is individual though, based on each person’s health. Your boyfriend and his doctor will need to discuss the different options to decide which is best for him. It’s great though that you are taking an interest in his treatment and that you’re so keen to support him. You might both find it helpful to look at our Introduction to Combination Therapy which discusses many of the questions people have when starting HIV treatment for the first time.
Hi my boyfriend is hiv positive ,as have been reading a lot a bout arvs I find most peaple happy on tribuss happy,must I suggest to him to tell the Dr about the drug since he will be starting arvs soon ?
Hi Cecelia,
Thank-you for the positive feedback, it’s great to hear that the service is helpful.
Has the doctor linked the rash on your face to your HIV treatment? The reason I ask it that although a rash can be a side effect of Tribuss the medications your doctor has given you suggests that the rash may be a separate issue. This is something your doctor should be able to clear up. If the rash is a side effect of treatment there is more information here about rashes as a side effect.
Hi, it is so great to have a web like this. I’ve just received my tribuss treatment and was also worried if i will have any side effect as i’ve beed on Atripla for the past 2 months but thanks to you all for sharing the stories. I just want to find out if there is any thing I can use to get rid of the rush on my face, i’ve told my dr and he put me on Purbac antibiotic and i’ve been using persivate ointment to reduce it but it still comes back. Please assis.
Hi
its great to read some of the stories about changing over. My medical aid just mentioned they will await for my CD4 count to reach 700; and they will change over which they have done. just started taking Tribuss 2 weeks ago. i think for me; i’ve noticed more dizziness in my 1st week; but now i notice i get so sleepy a couple of minutes after i take it. so, decided to take it an hour before i sleep which is great because i just fall asleep when i hit the pillow.
i must say; i was very skeptical about this new treatment and it gives me great relieve that I’m not the only one and that its essentially the same difference with Atripla…
cheers
Hi Gugu,
It’s very normal to have problems sleeping when you first start taking Atripla (Tribuss). This is a side effect of one of the drugs in this pill- which is called efavirenz. For most people this will get better after the first few weeks. You can read about efavirenz side effects in our side effects guide. If this doesn’t improve after a few weeks, or is very bad, let your doctor know.
Can you tell me more about the pain you are experiencing? It’s normal to feel nauseous at the start of treatment, and your doctor should be able to prescribe something to help with this. If you are in a lot of pain however you should talk to your doctor.
i started using this medication last i could not sleep, it felt like my whole body was swollen like numb!!..is it common to experience this and the abdormal pain?..please help and advise me as i am still very new in this
thank you