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
Thank you very much for the feedback above, it is very informative. Although I liked Atripla more because it was easy to swallow, I now have to learn to get used to tribuss because I have recently been changed to it. Hopefully I wont get any side effects.
If your moods have changes since starting treatment, especially if you are more sad and emotional, this could easily be a side effect. Please talk to your doctor about this so that you can switch to an alternative treatment. It sounds like you are unlucky in getting these side effects and that efavirenz (one of the drugs in Tribuss) is not one for you.
Please see this link on efavirenz side effects and take it when you speak with your doctor.
If you change treatment you are likely to feel much better within a week. You do not have to continue with these side effects.
hi there
please help i have been on tribuss for the past 09 months now and i have noticed that i am usually so sad in a way that sometimes i do not even want to wake up in the morning and i feel like screaming out loud and i have an emptiness in my heart which i truly cant explain!. is it possible that this is caused by tribuss…?…help im confused1
Hi Ntombi,
I’m glad to hear you are back on treatment! Your side effects should improve within a few weeks. If they get worse or are difficult to deal with talk to your doctor. Good luck!
I thank you so much for the information on this site! I have started my treatment a month ago (Tribuss) and I have experienced these side effects but I thought maybe it was something else. I was diagnosed 1996 but started the treatment in 2006 and I stopped due to fact that I was no longer on medical aid. Now I am back on treatment for good, my cd4 count is 200 and the viral load is 1849. I blame myself for not going to the public clinics when I didn’t have medical aid but most important thing is I am taking my treating as prescribed.
Hi Pat,
Changing to Tribuss shouldn’t have caused any new side effects or resistance but it is important to talk to your doctor about this fat gain. I don’t know if you will be able to access Atripla as this depends on what is available in your clinic and country.
I was on atripla for the past six months, recently my medical aid has changed me to tribuss, I had no side effects at all while on atripla, just in four weeks with tribuss I’ve noticed that I’m gaining lot of fats only in my belly. Can I ask my Dr to prescribe atripla again, I don’t mind to pay an extra amount, can these changes cause any resistence or side effects.
Hi Faith,
Tribuss contains three drugs- efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. Efavirenz is commonly linked with side effects such as dizziness and sleep disturbance. Most people take this before bed to reduce side effects, which means this can be a difficult side effect for people working shifts.
Have you spoken to your doctor about your concerns? If you were in the UK it would be unlikely that you would be given efavirenz when you work shifts. I’m not sure if there are other options available where you live.
If you and your doctor do decide that Tribuss is the best treatment option it’s important to be aware of any side effects. Not everybody gets these, and usually they do improve after a few weeks. It’s very difficult to predict your response before you start treatment. Please follow this link for more information about efavirenz side effects. This page also includes information about steps to help make these easier.
Hi Rebecca, once again Thank u so much for such useful information. Ive been using d4T and other drug then due to their side effect my Dr switch me off on this drug. Im still waiting for my new treatment which is Tribuss. My problem Im doing a shift work so I’ve been hearing about side effect such as dizzyness and sliping problems. my most concern is dizzyness since Im working in the plant all the shift. what if Im doing a 10pm to 06am shift and I couldnt control myself with this. Im scared of this drug, is this side effect the most common one, what must I do to avoid it? please help Im confused since Im waiting to receive my tribuss for a first time after changing from Triomune.
UK pregnancy guidelines (BHIVA) in 2012 included the recommendation that women can continue taking Atripla during pregnancy.