Question
Are generics the same as brand-name drugs?
4 January 2016. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects, Southern 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.
So glad to find this wonderful page, all your experiences and opinions have been most useful indeed. I currently live in europe but intend permanently returning to South Africa. I was wondering, the Atripla reffered to by most patients on here; is it the original brand? And how much does it cost? Does it actually say on the box that the manufacturer or trademark is ”Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences”? Please help with cost information and how readily available brand Atripla is to the general south african public. Thank you all for your kind and useful answers.
Hi Denzil,
If you are thinking about having a baby it’s important to talk to your doctor about this.
It’s a good idea to wait for your viral load results before having unprotected sex with your wife. If your viral load is undetectable (under 50) then the chance of infecting your wife is very low. It’s still possible though so it is safest to only have unprotected sex when your wife is at her most fertile. This is usually in the middle of her menstrual cycle (between two periods), but her nurse or doctor should be able to help work out when this is. More detail about this is available at this past question:I’m HIV negative and my husband’s positive. Can we have a baby?
Tribuss shouldn’t cause you to lose weight. How much weight have you lost, and how quickly?
Hi Rebecca
My wife is HIV negative and wants a baby,is it wise to use unprotected sex while I’m taking Tribuss?We don’t have enough money to wash the sperm as I’m currently waiting for my viral load results to come back.
I stand for correction,”may way of understanding this disease is that one can live a normal life take treatment and be yourself?” My friends are saying that I have lost weight,is this possible that Tribuss can give you weight loss?
Hi Denzil.
It’s fine to drink alcohol with Tribuss. The only warning with alcohol is not to drink so much that you forget to take your medication!
Tribuss can’t protect you from being reinfected by a sexual partner. Although treatment makes it less likely that you will pass HIV to somebody else it doesn’t give you the same protection when it comes to aquiring a new infection. That being the risk with oral sex is low, this is explained in our HIV testing and transmission guide.
Hi Rebecca
So it is fine to consume alcohol as well after taking Tribuss?Can Tribuss protect me when I have oral sex with someone who is positive and not taking any treatment?
Hi Nonkosi,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. It’s very normal to be nervous about starting treatment. This is a very effective treatment though and most people find that side effects are mild and improve in a few weeks. If you have difficult side effects do talk to your doctor who should be able to suggest ways to deal with these.
Do you know anybody else who is HIV positive? Talking to other positive people can make it much easier to come to terms with being positive. The Treatment Action Campaign are a group of positive people based in South Africa. Their website has information about support services for positive people.
If you would like to read more about starting treatment please follow this link to our Introduction to combination therapy.
I just found out a month ago that I’m HIV positive and I went to see a Dr. And she prescribed Tribuss for me,I must say that it is scary for just finding out and now I’m about to start with my treatment. I don’t know what to expert, I just hope I don’t experience any of the side effects.
Hi Denzil,
If you are not experiencing side effects it is fine to take Tribuss this way. Many people find that Tribuss makes them feel dizzy or affects their mood. This is why a lot of people prefer to take Tribuss before going to bed, so they sleep through these side effects. But if you’re not having a problem with side effects then it’s fine to continue as you are.
Hi
I’ve been taking Atripla and now on Tribuss.I take my tablet at 6pm Monday to Friday and have my dinner at 7:30pm.Can this cause any problems on me? And on weekends at 9pm after going out for dinner and some drinks.Can this cause any side effects on me as I take alcohol on occassional times.
Hi Alice,
Tribuss is a generic combination of three drugs- efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. This is a very effective treatment and is used by people all across the world.
We have an Introduction to combination therapy guide which goes through many of the questions about starting treatment.
There is also specific information about Tribuss, which is also called Atripla, in our ARVs guide.
Please let us know if you have any questions after looking at these pages!